The virtue tradition that has informed much of my thinking in recent years (e.g. virtue and happiness) tends to rely on an understanding of “human nature” for its conception of the good life. That is, it assumes that happiness –…
The virtue tradition that has informed much of my thinking in recent years (e.g. virtue and happiness) tends to rely on an understanding of “human nature” for its conception of the good life. That is, it assumes that happiness –…
this blog post continues story began here. Rehabilitation The new spinal unit at Prince of Wales was housed in old army huts, having taken over premises that had previously been used as a military and repatriation hospital. It was 1961,…
I was deeply saddened last week to learn of the death of John Trefry. For those of you who have followed this blog, you will know that I have made reference to John’s story a few times. I met John…
For those of you interested in some of my more scholarly work, I recently had an article published in the Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research. Below is the abstract and introduction, Abstract Work, which plays such a prominent part in…
In disability studies, there is generally a distinction that is made between “impairment” and “disability”. The former is a medical problem whereas the latter is a social issue. While often the two go hand in hand, it is possible to…
For those of you silly enough to want to listen to my recent Alphacrucis chapel sermon (presumably you have absolutely nothing else worthwhile to do with your time), it can be found by clicking the (blue steel) photo or at…
Here is Orson Scott Card’s (from the Speaker for the Dead) brilliant take on the parable of the woman caught in adultery: A great rabbi stands teaching in the marketplace. It so happens that a husband finds proof that morning…
“There was a crooked man,” BY MOTHER GOOSE There was a crooked man, Who walked a crooked mile, He found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile; He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse, And they all…
When people imagine quadriplegia they assume complete paralysis of everything from the neck down, and have an image of a paralysed Superman in their mind. Sometimes, people who meet me are surprised by my movement, and I almost feel guilty…
I’m a little bit nervous writing this post (which follows from yesterday). Looking at some of the comments on Jay’s blog (see here), I’ve somehow managed to really upset people. And then my wife comes in last night, having read…