From being attacked by a shark to being stricken by illness, people who acquire disabilities later in life have unique lived experiences. There is, however, a commonality that binds them: the loss of a former identity and a rebirth into another life. They may also struggle with self-acceptance as they shun societal stigmas and perceived deviance from cultural norms. Through a netnographic study, we examine how identities are redefined with the help of social media. We trace the journey of athletes, influencers, and others experiencing sudden disabilities as they transition from medical facilities to the comfort of their homes. We present the four critical phases toward acceptance of a disabled identity and show the role of social media as a transformative tool for navigating social exclusion and prejudice, as well as being a conduit for self-expression.
Authors
- Lena Cavusoglu,
- Russell Belk,
- Francesca Bonetti,
- Stefania Borghini,
- dr Nadzeya Sabatini link open in new tab
Additional information
- Category
- Aktywność konferencyjna
- Type
- publikacja w wydawnictwie zbiorowym recenzowanym (także w materiałach konferencyjnych)
- Language
- angielski
- Publication year
- 2025
