What is it about?
This paper takes a social justice approach to explore how women experience sexuality after a non-traumatic spinal cord injury. This is relevant because such injuries are typically considered 'incomplete' so people have some function (in terms of walking or standing) but have movement limitations, decreased sensitivity and often experience difficulties with bladder and bowel control. All of these impact upon how sexuality can be experienced.
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Why is it important?
In Australia and many parts of the world, sexuality is not considered in recovery from spinal cord injuries, particularly for older people. This is the population who most often experience non-traumatic etiologies. Yet, as we discuss in the paper, sexuality is an important source of wellbeing and connection. If clinicians are concerned with the whole person after such an injury, sexuality must be given consideration.
Perspectives
As an anthropologist, I think this publication pushes us to think critically about how we understand sexuality in the context of disability. In particular, the social justice perspective compels us to think about sexuality as a right that we all have. And this is important. I love this paper because of the sensitivity and thought that Merilyn (the first author) gave to participants' accounts. It was a pleasure to be part of the team.
Narelle Warren
Monash University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: ‘I don’t get a climax any more at all’: Pleasure and non-traumatic spinal cord damage, Sexualities, April 2017, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/1363460716688681.
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Contributors
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