Aim:
The aim of the interview was to interview someone who is living with physical chronic conditions from the point of view and their experiencing living with that condition.
Background history of the participant’s condition
The participant I interviewed name is john smith, john is a second year student at Victoria university studying in Footscray camps studying arts. John enjoys working in public places interacting with different people from different culture. He’s hoping to get into the public sector after he graduate from his degree and work in a public sector.
The participant was Paralysis at a very young age. For these of you who don’t know what paralysis is, paralysis refers to the inability to control movements or to detect sensations such as touch and temperature.
Key findings from the interview (quotes)
John was diagnosed with is condition at the age of 5 months. John said “It does not hurt or anything like that, and I still have some sort of movements with is leg unfortunately It’s not completely functional. I asked this question between now and when you were first diagnosed, do you feel you have a better sense of control over your condition? In terms of understanding treatment/management? Of your condition? He’s Reponses was “certainly first I am glad it happened when I was a baby it’s much different when you develop a condition at a matured age, for me it happened before I knew or did anything it didn’t cause me too much stress. It certainly gotten better as I have grown old “
The participant wasn’t quite sure of any sorts of symptoms he experienced due to he was still a baby for him to be able to determine weather he experienced any pain at the time he developed the condition. When his condition happened for the first time However, he mentioned as he was growing up he never left any pain from his condition. He couldn’t really tell me how it happened or the process his parent took while developed this condition. john doesn’t take any medication for his condition it’s not necessary for him to take meditation. Although, the medical team told john if his willing to undo surgery that’s was one of the option he had in terms of treatment. John said his not keen.
I asked john what did he do during that time of his condition, he’s response was he start off crawling to get around, when he reached a mature age he started use the caches. He mentioned it was a very interesting time when he had to start using crutches, it was difficult at the beginning having to learn how to use the crutches and trying to balance. As time went by it got easy and he was able to use them and his still using crutches up to now.
His thoughts about his condition hasn’t been influenced by societies perception of it. John said “Not really I am glad I have never put much thoughts into negative side of things, I am more of these people who look at the up side of things and just focus on what I am capable of”. On the other hand, John’s feeling towards his condition has changed over time, there is times where he considers to probably look at the medical side towards getting some advice or go though surgery. However, at this point his happy keeping his condition the way it is. At times he goes though these thoughts such as “urh could be?, what could happen?, what if?”
He his confident and comfortable managing his condition on his own, as he is capable of doing everything on his own for example walking and washing. the participant stated that “His not disappointed”. John as a complete control over his health journey. His had people look out for him health wise.
In terms of Social support john’s family has been a big part of his support ever since he was diagnosed with his condition. in his family there is someone who deals with the cooking part. His family has all collaborate in helping him and working together to improve his quality of life. He helps out when he can, He has his needs covered in terms of getting to university and other places. Therefore, he hasn’t been able to go out and seek support where else where. At his university that he attends there is stuff support for instance If he wants time to rest between his classes he has that opinion. If he needs extension with his assignment, he has that support to get an extension and have his teachers send him lecture recordings. John isn’t aware of any organisations that supports. People with the same condition. playing sport has really been a big part of helping john with his condition outside the academic area. In terms of leisure activities he was playing wheelchairs basketball in a team back in the days, due to load of university work he decided to put that on hold and force with his studies. John enjoys to sing he participated in school choirs throughout year 10-12 he was part of the school choirs. John has a personal philosophy that has helped him cope with his condition which is “most importantly is been aware of what you can and can not do” john mentioned there is ramps and elevator everywhere when it comes to getting around. Every month he has to buy the bottom thing on the crutches and replace it. John has a wall chair but he prefers to use crutches has it easy and comfortable for him.
Analysis of psychological and social issues raised in the interview 30 marks
(Understand and apply the major constructs of personal control (i.e. locus of control, explanatory style and self-efficacy) - Understand the different dimensions of social support and their influence on the health outcomes of individuals living with a chronic health condition)
after conducting the interview, I came to understand, John’s explanatory style is more optimistic explanatory style, for he is not blame the event that happened to him when he was a infant at the age of 5 months as his fault, rather his accepting the fact that it happened condition and he believes everything happens for a reason. John has a strong sense of self-efficacy as his not hard on himself and his not disappointed at himself for been Paralysis. I can say that John has an internal locus of control due his personal decisions and efforts are reasonable.