What does positive participation in leisure occupations mean to people with complex neurological disabilities?

Abstract

Chronic illness and disability restrict people's access to work and leisure occupations, so that they experience a loss of valued roles, self-identity and self-esteem (Reynolds, 1997). Swanson and Chenitz (1993) found that people with a chronic condition commonly describe themselves as having to redefine their sense of self, roles and goals, re-framing their place in the world ... and learning to live with a "new me" Jenson and AlIen (1994). This paper sets out to review the literature and demonstrate that positive participation in a leisure occupation, which is meaningful and challenging, will combat boredom and will enable the person to maintain a social identity that may have been lost when work roles are no longer an option.