A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of - Etheses - Queen Margaret ...

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Appendix B: Email Extracts
I have reproduced here extracts from a number of emails I received as initial responses to my
request for research participants. I have chosen these as examples of the types of responses I
received and in terms of the categories into which I placed them. These categories were
identified in terms of ways in which respondents described themselves as relating to the
experience of being disabled (really positive; just getting on with it; identify negatively; a bit
of all three). Unless permission has been given by people to use real names, all personal and
place names are disguised.
Really positive
I have received an email from Pam Deepdale at uni in Brum regarding your research.
This is a field I am really interested in from the perspective of autistic advocacy, and the
identity politics of the disability movement in the UK, that I have also identified with
(Ben, selected)
I have just read an article in the Xchange Network magazine regarding your proposed
research.
I am a 67 year old disabled male who campaigns for the rights of the disabled, as secretary of
the Lowlands Coalition of Disabled People and a Director of the Lowlands Council of
Voluntary Service I am in contact with my fellow disabled almost on a daily basis
(Arthur, not selected)
Just getting on with it
As per the attached short Bio, I guess I fall into the category of „just getting on with it‟, or
possibly slightly into the activist camp...
In 1986, Derek competed in his first major disabled competition – a six nations waterski
event in Sweden. He went on from there to participate in almost every European and World
Championships until retiring in 2003. His main events were slalom and jump and he held
numerous world records in both events, and amassed over two dozen gold medals for
individual and team placement at European and World championships...
(Derek, not selected)
I myself have a progressive condition and as such recognised under the DDA. My condition
means I will be taking medication for life, but the medication does enable me to enjoy day to
day living as a non disabled person
(Hazel, selected)
I would be most interested in taking part in your research. I am 42 years old and have
progressive MS. I work part-time as an information office. I am married and have one son
who like his father is hearing impaired. I believe I have a „just get on with it‟ attitude to my