Living a Meaningful Life with Chronic Illness

People with chronic illnesses often live in the community for many years while the illness becomes progressively more debilitating. Little is known about how they continue to live personally meaningful lives. This book describes a study that employed qualitative research methods and the Occupational Performance Model (Australia) to investigate how people with Parkinsons disease and their partners continue to actively participate as members of their social community. Loss of control over choice and manner of engagement in roles was a significant element of the findings. Sense of self and sense of social fit were identified as major elements that informed participants perceptions of control. The findings support the notion that people with chronic illness are active and knowledgeable participants in health care. Moreover, they demonstrate that people with chronic illness work in tandem with significant role partners to constantly maintain valued partnerships through occupational role performance as the disease progresses. This book is intended for health professionals, health educators, researchers, and people with chronic disability.