Doing facial difference: The lived experiences of individuals with facial limb absence

Gili Yaron

Research output: ThesisDoctoral ThesisInternal

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Abstract

What is it like to live with a facial disfigurement? Gili Yaron researched this question from an empirical-philosophical perspective. She interviewed people who wear a facial prosthesis and examined their experiences based on philosophical theories about the body, technology and disabilities. 'Difference' is not so much defined in medical or psychological terms, but in terms of the everyday experience. The functional disability and appearance of people affected by a facial difference influence the way they carry out their daily activities. Losing a part of the face therefore radically changes how people perceive their body and the world around them: both become less familiar and less reliable. In order to cope with this, they develop new ways of 'doing' their face, which requires a continuous daily effort. These insights are extremely valuable, both for the people affected and for healthcare professionals. The study also touches on fundamental issues, such as the nature of the human face, the function of prosthetics, the course of social interactions, the role of visibility in our lives and the meaning of difference.
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Maastricht University
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Slatman, Jenny , Supervisor, External person
  • Widdershoven, G.A.M., Co-Supervisor
  • Meershoek, Agnes, Co-Supervisor
Award date8 Jun 2018
Place of PublicationMaastricht
Publisher
Print ISBNs9789462959156
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • facial difference
  • facial prosthesis
  • empirical-philosophical perspective
  • disfigurement

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