
The tragedy of promising happiness through overcoming disability (Dr Olivia Dahl)
From The ResearchWorks Podcast by Dr Dayna Pool and Dr Ashleigh Thornton
May 30, 2026 · 44 min · Season 6 · Episode 296
About this episode
This episode discusses the implications of promising happiness through overcoming disability, based on interviews with adults with cerebral palsy.
Abstract This article explores the often-overlooked tragedy of promising happiness through overcoming disability. It draws on qualitative interviews and focus groups with 36 adults with cerebral palsy to explore how medical discourse shapes the ways in which individuals are encouraged to pursue a good life, leading to unintended consequences. Sara Ahmed's theory of happiness is used to understand the dialectics of pursuing a good life through overcoming disability, revealing how medical...
People in this episode
Hosts: Dr Dayna Pool, Dr Ashleigh Thornton
Guest: Dr Olivia Dahl
Topics covered
- disability
- happiness
- medical discourse
- cerebral palsy
- qualitative research
Keywords
- disability
- happiness
- cerebral palsy
- medical discourse
- qualitative interviews
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: The tragedy of promising happiness through overcoming disability
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