Oral Narrations of Social Rejection Suffered by South Asian Women with Irreversible Health Conditions

Abstract

It is important to hear the lived experiences of South Asian women, who are suffering from chronic health conditions or have experienced major health setbacks in life, regarding the influence of social support on their health recovery and overall well-being. Oral narrations of four women from South Asia have been presented in this chapter. We have used Internet-mediated research to purposively sample willing participants. The women belong to diverse socioeconomic strata, which helps to put into context how social beliefs and attitudes transcend wealth and class. Two face permanent health conditions from birth, paralysis and blindness, whereas the other two have developed health conditions after marriage, cancer and infertility. Though subjective narrations cannot be generalized to the entire South Asian region, we find rich evidence about the additional challenges women, facing chronic disease, terminal disease, or physical disability, have to deal with due to stigmatization and exclusion from society. We recommend some necessary changes in South Asian society, at both cultural and state level, which would help to support already burdened women gain social support in health maintenance and self-worth.