LOTS OF AWFUL THINGS: INTERSECTIONS OF QUEERNESS AND CANCER THROUGH AUTOETHNOGRAPHY

Using autoethnography, this dissertation explores the relationship between my experiences through the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma and crip-queer theory. This dissertation seeks to bridge queer theory, disability studies, and medical discourse through personal experience. Additionally, by employing autoethnography, this study creates nuanced narratives of living with chronic illness at the intersections of disability and queerness. In Chapter One I provide a rationale and provide a cursory explanation of crip-queer theory. In my second chapter I employ Robert McRuer’s notion of the origin story to chart the development of crip-queer theory by looking to the similar activist histories of disability and sexuality within the United States. In Chapter Three I examine my solo performance Orphan Annie Eyes: Overcoming Narratives of Cancer and Loss, arguing that the performance challenges common narrative tropes surrounding disability. In my fourth chapter I use autoethnography to explore my experiences going through cancer treatment. Finally, my fifth chapter explores the implications of this dissertation and seeks to identify future research studies using crip-queer theory.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Campus Only Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Communication Studies

Year

2016

Author dc:creator

• Potter, Joshua Loren

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gingrich-Philbrook, Craig

• autoethnography
• cancer
• intersectionality
• queer theory

Repository record dc:identifier

https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/dissertations/1235

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opensiuc.lib.siu.edu:dissertations-2239