Interesting new study from the Pew Research Center. It confirms that while people (in the US) with a chronic health condition are less likely to get online than people not suffering a chronic illness, once online they become a mighty social networking force.
And yet, those who are online have a trump card. They have each other. This survey finds that having a chronic disease increases the probability that an internet user will share what they know and learn from their peers. They unearth nuggets of information. They blog. They participate in online discussions.
I suspect it’s similar for people with a disability.
Indeed I’d be keen to see a survey similatr in size to this one that went further and looked at whether people with a disability or a major chronic illness not only used social media to engage more about their affliction but about anything. The internet lowers the barrier for disabled people to find their tribe (whether it’s an online writing group, manga chat room or a MUD) as well as making it easier to find information about their health. It certainly has for me.
Research grant anyone?
In college I put together an installation piece focused on ADHD for a gallery show. I participated in discussions over various message boards and in the end printed all of the discussions that I was a part of. I then shuffled the papers and thumbtacked them to two large walls in one of the rooms of the gallery, with a video of my fidgeting feet playing in the center.
People first passed by it, then a few started reading the stories and talking about their own, or family members struggles with ADHD.
One of the best responses I have ever achieved from fine art!
Cheers,
Tom