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 pro-gresses. This
book is intended for health professionals, health educators,
researchers, and people with chronic disability.