Quadriplegia, virtue theory, and flourishing: a qualitative study drawing on self-narratives

May combine two claims.

The public imagination generally assumes that people with high-level spinal cord injuries would suffer an extremely compromised quality of life, and may even be better off dead.

“in the public imagination it is generally assumed that people with highlevel spinal cord injuries would suffer an extremely compromised quality of life, and may even be better off dead (Coleman and Drake 2002; Sauder 2016).”

• cites Coleman and Drake 2002 sourceSupported
• cites Sauder 2016Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

While participants identified the preinjury capacities they had lost, this was not the focus of attention.

“While participants identified the preinjury capacities they had lost, this was not the focus of attention.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Sheree made deep friendships.

“She made deep friendships.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

John died after a full and rich life with Pam, and not before meeting his grandchildren.

“John died after a full and rich life with Pam, and not before meeting his grandchildren.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

For Glenn, the love and support of his wife has been central to his flourishing.

“For Glenn, the love and support of his wife has been central to his flourishing.”

May combine two claims.

Bruce and Philip are both proud of achieving things and going places that others thought impossible, and emphasise positive thinking, a can-do attitude, and the importance of relationships with friends and carers.

“Bruce and Philip both proud of achieving things and going places that others thought impossible, and emphasise positive thinking, a can-do attitude, and the importance of relationships with friends and carers.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Sheree insists that she is not lonely.

“Even so, she insists that she is not lonely:”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Mark asserts that his quadriplegia is the best thing that could have happened to him.

“I've not said this to many people, because it's embarrassing to say it, but this is the best thing that could have happened to me.”

May combine two claims.

Participants generally felt that their preinjury character was important to post injury resilience; that although the injury changed them, it did not define them.

“It is also noteworthy that while SCI effected change, participants generally felt that their preinjury character was important to post injury resilience; that although the injury changed them, it did not define them.”

May combine two claims.

The way in which the different participants tell of their hospitalisation and early rehabilitation varies from one to another, but several highlight negative attitudes and low expectations of rehabilitation professionals.

“The way in which the different participants tell of their hospitalisation and early rehabilitation varies from one to another, but several highlight negative attitudes and low expectations of rehabilitation professionals.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Mark alone sees his quadriplegia as a gift, believing that it has given more than it has taken, because it forced him to re-evaluate his life and be more deliberate and focused in his goals for the future.

“Mark alone sees his quadriplegia as a gift, believing that it has given more than it has taken, because it forced him to re-evaluate his life, and be more deliberate and focused in his goals for the future”

May combine two claims.

Friendships were especially important, and although relationships were sometimes complicated by the injury, the process of rehabilitation provided opportunities to strengthen and deepen friendships between spouses and other family members, and with neighbours, mates, peers, care workers and other professionals.

“Friendships were especially important, and although relationships were sometimes complicated by the injury, the process of rehabilitation provided opportunities to strengthen and deepen friendships between spouses and other family members, and with neighbours, mates, peers, care workers and other professionals.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

While Glenn would rather have lived without a spinal-cord injury, he recognises that spinal-cord injury has contributed to his happiness.

“And while he would rather have lived without a spinal-cord injury, he recognises that SCI has contributed to his happiness:”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Sara returned to university after discharge from rehab, lived as independently as she could, appeared positive and successful, but discovered that life with quadriplegia had limits.

“She describes how, after discharge from rehab, she returned to university, lived as independently as she could, and to all outside appearances was positive and successful. But she soon discovered that life with quadriplegia had its limits:”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Sheree was in a long-term relationship at the time she incurred her injury, but it broke down soon after.

“Sheree was in a long-term relationship at the time she incurred her injury, but it broke down soon after.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

All participants gave substantive descriptions of their accident and the experience of ICU and rehabilitation.

“All participants gave substantive descriptions of their accident and the experience of ICU and rehabilitation.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

John and Sheree passed away after the interviews.

“Both John and Sheree passed away after our interviews.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Against all expectations at the time of his injury in 1959, when John found himself trapped in a home for 'incurables,' he and his wife could look back on a life they judge to have been full of joy and love.

“Against all expectations at the time of his injury (1959), when he found himself trapped in a home for 'incurables,' he and his wife could look back on a life they judge to have been full of joy and love.”

May combine two claims.

Glenn, like Mark, finds meaning and purpose in his religious faith.

“Glenn, like Mark, finds meaning and purpose in his religious faith; 'it was God who got me through.'”

May combine two claims.

The challenge of SCI extends beyond rehabilitation, and participants described various ongoing hardships that attend to their SCI, including nerve pain, sexual loss and so on.

“The challenge of SCI extends beyond rehabilitation, and participants described various ongoing hardships that attend to their SCI, including nerve pain, sexual loss and so on.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Sara spent six months in severe physical and psychological pain, and her gradual healing owes much to the love and care of her partner, Ben.

“Sara spent six months in severe physical and psychological pain, and her gradual healing, she says, owes much to the love and care of her partner, Ben.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Sheree feels that she is making a contribution to people's lives, gets joy by watching people get on, and has opportunities to brighten up people's lives.

“I feel like I'm making a contribution to people's life, and that's quite a profound thing to have, really. I get so much joy by watching people get on. It really gives me a spark, having opportunities to brighten up people's lives.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Sheree insists that there is nothing unique or special about her accomplishments and highlights the support she has received from others.

“Sheree, for example, insists that there is nothing unique or special about her accomplishments, highlighting the support she has received from others.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Sheree died too young at 45, of a kidney issue that arose as a secondary complication attending to her spinal-cord injury.

“Sheree died too young (45), of a kidney issue that arose as a secondary complication attending to her SCI.”

May combine two claims.

Participants recognise that adjusting to life with the injury is difficult, and takes time.

“At the same time, participants recognise that adjusting to life with the injury is difficult, and takes time.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Bruce, who has never married but has travelled the world with friends, highlights the important skills of negotiating friendship and care.

“Bruce, who has never married but has travelled the world with friends, likewise highlights the important skills of negotiating friendship and care:”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Glenn believes that his impairment has helped him be a better parent, because he spends time with his children and they learn unique attitudes and skills.

“Glenn believes that his impairment has helped him be a better parent, not only because he spends time with his children that others might dedicate to their own pursuits, but because they learn unique attitudes and skills:”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In the years since the breakup, as Mark learned to negotiate his dependency and friendships, he concluded that his injury has made him friendlier.

“In the years since the breakup, as Mark learned to negotiate his dependency and friendships, he has concluded that his injury has made him friendlier.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Mark was in a long-term relationship prior to his accident, but the stresses of learning to live with a spinal-cord injury meant that he did not pay enough attention to his partner or realise the burdens she faced.

“Mark was in a long-term relationship prior to his accident, but the stresses of learning to live with a SCI meant that he didn't pay enough attention to his partner, or realise the burdens she faced:”

May combine two claims.

Whatever the challenges faced, participants generally identified positive thinking and determination as contributing to their eventual coming to terms with the injury, and so enabling them to live a good life.

“But whatever the challenges faced, participants generally identified positive thinking and determination as contributing to their eventual coming to terms with the injury, and so enabling them to live a good life.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Philip has never married, yet friendship has been central to his happiness.

“Philip, similarly, has never married, yet friendship has been central to his happiness.”

May combine two claims.

Every participant concluded that their life had been good, and they believed it would continue to be so.

“Finally, in terms of the overall evaluation and understanding of flourishing with quadriplegia, every participant concluded that their life had been good, and they believed it would continue to be so.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Glenn believes that his spinal-cord injury has helped his marriage, making him less self-centred, more patient, and more forgiving.

“But Glenn believes that, in some surprising ways, his SCI has helped his marriage, making him less self-centred, more patient, and more forgiving.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

For one participant, so important was a positive attitude that he deleted most of the seemingly negative references that had been discussed in the initial interview and written into the first draft of his life narrative.

“For one participant, so important was a positive attitude that he deleted most of the seemingly negative references that had been discussed in the initial interview and written into the first draft of his life narrative.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Mark credits the need arising from his injury for him to learn relational virtues: to avoid grumpiness and be friendly, grateful, and cooperative.

“Mark credits the need of his injury for him to learn relational virtues; to avoid grumpiness and be friendly, grateful, and cooperative.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Sara, while not religious, identifies various streams of spirituality that have been central to her emerging happiness, especially after her collapse.

“Sara, while not religious, identifies various streams of spirituality that have been central to her emerging happiness, especially after her collapse.”

May combine two claims.

For Sara, spiritual practices have provided rest and peace, helped her deal with ongoing physical and psychological pain, and enabled her to devote her love and attention to her partner and son.

“For her, spiritual practices have provided rest and peace, helped her to deal with the ongoing physical and psychological pain that often accompanies SCI, and enabled her to devote her love and attention to her partner and son”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

For Glenn, the good life is about focusing on God and his family.

“For him, the good life is about focusing on God and his family.”

May combine two claims.

Participants understood that life is a journey replete with joys and sorrows, and that lifelong hardships can be navigated by exercising positive virtues such as optimism, hopefulness, determination, and by focusing on what is possible rather than impossible.

“The participants understood that life is a journey replete with joys and sorrows, and that lifelong hardships can be navigated by exercising positive virtues such as optimism, hopefulness, determination, and by focusing on what is possible rather than impossible.”

May combine two claims.

Participants in this study had to face up to the limits, constraints, and vulnerability of their bodies; some were helped by faith, others by quieting the spirit, and all by the support of family and friends.

“Participants in this study had to face up to the limits, constraints, and vulnerability of their bodies; and in this some were helped by faith, others by quieting the spirit (or inner life), and all by the support of family and friends.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

MacIntyre argues that conceptions of eudaimonia need to take our vulnerability and dependency into account, and incorporate virtues that facilitate our interdependency.

“For Macintyre, then, independence and dependency go together, so that conceptions of eudaimonia need to take our vulnerability and dependency into account, and incorporate virtues that facilitate our interdependency.”

• cites A. MacIntyre 1999Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

The good life entails the maximisation of physical and mental health, the pursuit of meaning, and the making and sustaining of deep relationships.

“Thus, the good life entails the maximisation of physical and mental health, the pursuit of meaning, and the making and sustaining of deep relationships.”

• cites A. C. MacIntyre 2007Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Hursthouse 1999Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites M. C. Nussbaum 2006Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Both MacIntyre and Nussbaum argue that narrative is central to our understanding of what it is to flourish.

“Both Macintyre and Nussbaum argue that narrative is central to our understanding of what it is to flourish.”

May combine two claims.

A person cannot get by on their own but is dependent upon a social environment that makes their flourishing possible.

“In doing so we recognise that a person cannot get by on their own, but are dependent upon a social environment that makes their flourishing possible.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Participants were involved not only in the telling of their story to the first author, but in overseeing and authorising its construction and final form.

“Participants were involved not only in the telling of their story to the first author, but in overseeing and authorising its construction and final form.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

In focusing on positivity and personal strengths, there is a danger of individualising a person's achievements and blaming them for perceived failures, and so not recognising that disability is both an embodied and sociocultural reality, and that social and political responses are central to a person's flourishing.

“In focusing on positivity and personal strengths, there is also the danger of individualising a person's achievements and blaming them for perceived failures, and so not recognising that disability is both an embodied and sociocultural reality, and that social and political responses are central to a person's flourishing (Shakespeare 2013).”

• cites Shakespeare 2013Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

Relationships with quadriplegia are complicated.

“Relationships with quadriplegia are, nevertheless, complicated.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The virtue tradition is concerned with the goal of happiness (eudaimonia), understood not as short-term pleasure, but as lifelong flourishing - the good life.

“the virtue tradition is concerned with the goal of happiness ( eudaimonia ), understood not as short-term pleasure, but as lifelong flourishing - the good life”

• cites A. C. MacIntyre 2007Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites M. Nussbaum 1993Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The hardships and challenges participants have faced are central to the story of their flourishing; they live well, not despite quadriplegia, but with it.

“More to the point, the hardships and challenges they have faced are central to the story of their flourishing; they live well, not despite quadriplegia, but with it.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Spinal-cord injury can compromise many of the capabilities, and thus requires a person to rethink and reshape their vision of flourishing, and learn new virtues to bring that about.

“It is obvious that spinal-cord injury can compromise many of these capabilities, and thus requires a person to rethink and reshape their vision of flourishing, and learn new virtues to bring that about.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

The elevation of virtue should not lead one to conclude that social injustice can be 'overcome' by morally strong individuals, nor to blame victims of injustice for their 'failure' to flourish; eudaimonia is framed by the luck of one's social context.

“The elevation of virtue should not lead one to conclude that social injustice can be 'overcome' by morally strong individuals, nor to blame victims of injustice for their 'failure' to flourish; eudaimonia is framed by the luck of one's social context.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Positive psychology mirrors and draws on the virtue tradition.

“In emphasising longer term conceptions of happiness framed by purposeful living and the exercise of virtue, positive psychology mirrors and draws on the virtue tradition.”

• cites Seligman 2012Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Social determinism is not everything; individuals do have opportunity to shape the direction of their life, even in the face of extreme hardship.

“Rather, it is to claim that social determinism is not everything; that individuals do have opportunity to shape the direction of their life, even in the face of extreme hardship.”

May combine two claims.

Adjustment to spinal-cord injury isn't simply a matter of picking up new skills, but involves the capacity to reimagine the story of one's life - and to continue to do so in the long haul of learning to live with a severe impairment.

“Thus, adjustment to spinal-cord injury isn't simply a matter of picking up new skills, but involves the capacity to reimagine the story of one's life - and to continue to do so in the long haul of learning to live with a severe impairment.”

May combine two claims.

The injury required that participants develop virtues related to friendship and dependency, and they derived great satisfaction in doing so.

“Thus, the injury required that they develop virtues related to friendship and dependency, and they derived great satisfaction in doing so.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Hope, optimism, determination, encouragement and the like are all virtues; habits of character that facilitate success and make the good life possible.

“Hope, optimism, determination, encouragement and the like are all virtues; habits of character that facilitate success and make the good life possible.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Virtues are habits of character that enable a person to succeed in particular activities and, over the long run, to live the good life.

“Virtues are the habits of character that enable a person to succeed in particular activities and, over the long run, to live the good life (A. C. MacIntyre 2007).”

• cites A. C. MacIntyre 2007Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

It is not simply the generosity of family and friends that matters, but that Philip cleverly negotiates the fine line between friendship and dependency.

“It's not simply the generosity of family and friends, though, that matters, but that he cleverly negotiates the fine line between friendship and dependency.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Optimism is a virtue, offset on the one hand against the vice of pessimism, that encourages perseverance.

“Optimism is a virtue, offset on the one hand against the vice of pessimism, that encourages perseverance.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The virtue tradition is a heuristic structure that helps make sense of diverse human experiences; it is teleological, emphasising the value of living with purpose and meaning, and holds that habits of character (virtues) help make this possible.

“The virtue tradition is not meant to be a narrow and dogmatic vision of the good and ethical life, but a heuristic structure that helps to make sense of our diverse human experiences. It is teleological, emphasising the value of living with purpose and meaning, and holds that habits of character (virtues) help to make this possible.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

A cultural ideology insists that a positive attitude overcomes all barriers and is the certain pathway to achievement.

“cultural ideology that insists that a positive attitude overcomes all barriers and is the certain pathway to achievement (Clifton 2014).”

• cites Clifton 2014Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The virtues of wisdom, patience, gratitude, and intuition in relationships are what Macintyre labels the virtues of interdependency.

“These are what Macintyre labels the virtues of interdependency.”

May combine two claims.

Independence does not mean that a person functions without help; it is best achieved when properly directed social supports are in place.

“It is noteworthy that independence does not mean that a person functions without help but, on the contrary, it is best achieved when properly directed social supports are in place (Morris 2004);”

• cites Morris 2004 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Sen and Nussbaum developed the capabilities approach, which describes a set of core capabilities taken to be the minimum basis for the good life.

“Sen and Nussbaum build on Aristotle's application of virtue ethics to politics so as to develop a philosophical conception of justice labelled the capabilities approach (M. Nussbaum and Sen 1993). It describes a set of core capabilities that they take to be the minimum basis for the good life.”

• cites M. Nussbaum and Sen 1993Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Each participant was involved in a lengthy recorded interview (usually 1.5 to 2 hours), which was then transcribed; the first author wrote up a summary of the story, which was returned to the participant for comment; a second interview discussed any suggested additions and/or changes; and a final copy of the narrative was forwarded to and approved by the participant.

“To that end, each participant was involved in a lengthy recorded interview (usually 1.5 to 2 hours), which was then transcribed.”

• Also stated in: § Quadriplegia, virtue theory, and flourishing · p. 10 · plain

  “Thereafter the first author wrote up a summary of the story, which was returned to the participant for their comment. A second interview discussed any suggested additions and/or changes that participant would like to make to the summary, and a final copy of the narrative was forwarded to and approved by the participant.”

May combine two claims.

The participants' stories show the up-and-down messiness of living with quadriplegia, and reveal some of the virtues needed to live a more up than down life, and so over the longer term to flourish.

“Rather, they show the up-anddown messiness of living with quadriplegia, and reveal some of the virtues needed to live a more up than down life, and so over the longer term to flourish.”

May combine two claims.

The participants' stories are not what Stella Young would label 'inspiration porn,' and we misunderstand the narratives if we think of these people as super-quads.

“Their stories are not what Stella Young would label 'inspiration porn,'(Young 2012) and we misunderstand the narratives if we think of these people as super-quads (to use Sheree's label).”

• cites Young 2012Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The danger of misconstrued emphases on virtue and positive attitudes is capitulating to the ideology of the positivity myth.

“The danger of misconstrued emphases on virtue and positive attitudes is capitulating to the ideology of the positivity myth.”