Paper Short Abstract:

This presentation critically explores the intersection of COVID-19, Long COVID, ableism, and health care inequities in the United States, emphasizing COVID-19's role as a mass disabling event. Employing an autoethnographic approach, I reflect on my lived experiences with COVID-19 and Long COVID to highlight the diverse, often ineffable realities of individuals with disabilities. Central to this analysis is the concept of "unwriting" ableist narratives that dominate societal discourse, which involves deconstructing and reshaping these narratives to foreground disability justice and inclusion.

Paper Abstract:

This presentation critically explores the intersection of COVID-19, Long COVID, ableism, and health care inequities in the United States, emphasizing COVID-19's role as a mass disabling event that has disproportionately affected marginalized communities. Employing an autoethnographic approach, I reflect on my lived experiences with COVID-19 and Long COVID to highlight the diverse, often ineffable realities of individuals with disabilities. Central to this analysis is the concept of "unwriting" ableist narratives that dominate societal discourse, which involves deconstructing and reshaping these narratives to foreground disability justice and inclusion. Ethical considerations surrounding storytelling in the context of Long COVID are also addressed, advocating for research practices rooted in empathy and inclusivity that challenge traditional notions of objectivity and detachment. Furthermore, I propose a synergistic dialogue between disability studies and folklore studies to critically interrogate and reinterpret the cultural traditions and narratives shaped by experiences of disability, fostering a deeper understanding of disability as an integral aspect of human diversity.