Being as Doing: Occupational Perspectives of Women Survivors of Hemorrhagic Stroke

Abstract

This paper draws on interviews with 23, relatively young, women survivors of hemorrhagic stroke. Goals of this qualitative research were learning how survivors understand the stroke and its effects within the context of their lives and discovering the extent to which there are commonalities and differences in terms of experiences and issues of concern. Qualitative analysis of their interviews shows that the occasion of surviving hemorrhagic stroke provided them with an opportunity to reassess the ways in which they organized their work/life priorities and develop new priorities. Among new priorities, the participants talked about appreciating life, letting go of worries, and developing a new sense of self. Based on what participants said, the paper argues that occupational science needs to pay more attention to the value of “being” as a form of “doing” in and of itself and an important occupation.

Key Words:

• Being as doing
• Hemorrhagic stroke
• Qualitative research
• Lived experience