Self-representations on social media. Reproducing and challenging discourses on disability

This article examines self-representations in a social media campaign against the discrimination of people with disabilities. We focus specifically on how these representations are related to various narratives and discourses, and in what ways the representations either adhere to or challenge normative discourses, or whether they offer counter-discourses. Considering that our cultural assumptions are influenced by the representations we are exposed to, we also discuss the possible potential of self-representations for the audience of the campaign. The empirical material consists of a digital activism campaign conducted on Instagram in Sweden that was constructed through self-representations (photos and short texts). The study combines discourse analysis and visual analysis with focus on how the persons present themselves in the campaign, how disability is mentioned and/or displayed, and how a presentation adheres to or challenges a model of understanding disability, such as the medical or social models. We found a diverse set of claims, all with the common goal of acknowledging discrimination, in order to make it visible and bring about change. The narratives identified indicate a variety of strategies for understanding disability and various styles that people adopt to relate to established discourses on disabilities. Through this campaign, the bloggers could find and provide support, but they also took the stage by requesting that the audience listen. The campaign examined in this study can be further understood as an effort and a step towards increased visibility and politicization of disability.     

Les structures cliniques et la sublimation

According to the teachings of Jacques Lacan, we are able to join three clinical structures – hysteria, obsessional neurosis and paranoia – with three terms of sublimation – art, religion and science. Similarly, we are able to unite them with three psychical operations – repression, displacement and foreclosure – and with three states of the void – organisation, shunning and unbelief. As a result, we study why and how art, which is similar to hysteria, can organize the void which has previously been repressed; why and how religion, which is similar to obsessional neurosis, avoids it and displaces it; and finally why and how science, which is similar to paranoia, disbelieves in the void that has been previously barred. While studying the definitions of Freudian sublimation, we try to clarify the relationship between these three clinical structures and the Lacanian formula of sublimation: the elevation of an object to the dignity of the Thing. Our interest is to demonstrate that the Lacanian perspective assigns a clinic of sublimation whose interest lies in a treatment of the void of the Thing.     

Efficacité à moyen terme de l’autogreffe de cellules souches hématopoïétiques périphériques sur la polyneuropathie du syndrome POEMS : expérience chez 5 cas

Introduction

POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrynopathy, M-protein, and skin changes) is a rare multisystem disease associated with plasma cell dyscrasia. The efficacy of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) reported in case series has been mainly based on hematologic criteria and clinical recovery of peripheral neuropathy dysfunctions but has not been specifically evaluated. This retrospective study aimed to analyze the efficacy of auto-PBSCT on disability and electrophysiological patterns in patients with POEMS syndrome.

Methods

Five patients presenting with POEMS syndrome received auto-PBSCT. Disability was evaluated before treatment and at 6 and 12 months using the Overall Neuropathy Limitation Scale (ONLS) and MRC sumscore of 28 muscles. Nerve conduction studies were performed before and one year after treatment, on median, ulnar, fibular and tibial nerves.

Results

Mean age was 60.6 years (49–70). Disease duration between first symptoms and auto-PBSCT was 15.4 months (2–33). Before auto-PBSCT, mean ONLS score was 4.2 (1–10) and mean MRC sumscore 115.8/140 (74–140). At M6, mean ONLS score decreased and mean MRC sumscore increased; both were improved in all patients at M12: mean ONLS score 3 (range 0–8) at M6 and 2.2 (range 0–7) at M12; mean MRC sumscore 118/140 (77–140) at M6 and 122.4/140 (80–140) at M12. Significant recovery in electrophysiological patterns was observed in all patients on ulnar and median nerves: before-after treatment differences were observed for motor conduction velocities (34.41 vs. 45.47 m/s; P < 0.001), distal CMAP amplitudes (5.04 vs. 5.96 mV; P = 0.004), and sensory conduction velocities (43.20 vs. 49.20 m/s; P = 0.001). Distal CMAP amplitude remained low in fibular and tibial nerves (0.41 vs. 0.17 mV).

Conclusions

Clinical and electrophysiological improvement is obvious in POEMS syndrome peripheral neuropathy within one year after treatment with auto-PBSCT, undoubtedly resulting from extensive remyelinisation and axonal regeneration. Further studies are required to examine long-term outcome in patients with POEMS syndrome given auto-PBSCT.     

Polyradiculonévrite aiguë révélant un lupus érythémateux systémique : une présentation inhabituelle d’évolution fatale

Introduction

Neurological manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus are common and numerous. They mainly involve the central nervous system, peripheral involvement being rare. Acute polyradiculoneuropathy is very uncommon.

Case report

We report a 44-year-old man, who presented with acute polyradiculoneuropathy revealing systemic lupus erythematosus. Outcome was fatal despite treatment with corticosteroids and immunoglobulin.

Conclusion

Acute polyradiculoneuropathy is a very rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus and can compromise functional and life prognosis. Early diagnosis and management are crucial.