Taking a stand against the odds

Dr Kelley Johnson

When we think about resistance we think of groups of people taking a stand against unfairness in things like housing, employment or health. And we think of people resisting together through self advocacy organisations or self help groups. But sometimes individuals struggle alone against things that are happening to them in their private lives. Often these efforts are not talked or written about. This paper explores how some women with learning disabilities have taken a stand alone against systems which tried to manage their lives. It draws on the stories of two different groups of women.

• Women in institutions. Some years ago I worked with a group of women who lived in a locked unit of a large institution. These women had been labelled as having intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour. Their lives were closely watched by staff but still individual women found ways to gain some control in their lives.
• Women, sexuality and relationships. Women with learning disabilities have often found it difficult to have close sexual relationships with others or to have children. Some women have found ways to do this in spite of the attitudes of others around them.

In the paper I will talk about some of the things which made it possible for these women to resist.