tension/conflict at the moment with how one feels. It took time to get there, but there is a
state for individuals who acquire disabilities within which they may experience the
phenomenon of effortless action. I do not mean this in a physical way. But rather, in a
mental way. Individuals may feel free and be “acting” from that liberated space. It is not
for the sake of performance, per se, but in a way that is for the sake of oneself, but the
interests of oneself aligned with the interests of others, so that they are one and the same.
This comprises the actualization of interdependence. For the formerly stigmatized
individuals (who perceived their status through viewing themselves as they imagined
others viewed them), a relaxed state is achieved in which they can “just be.” I have
experienced this full circle and beyond in a number of social environments. This is just
one of numerous examples of insights that only comes through lived experience.
As I have my paper sketched out in a detailed way in my mind, I envision a major
theme emerging that revolves around what comes out of the basic struggle to define the
situation. Out of necessity, I developed tricks rather early-on to condition others’
responses to me (so that they would be civil, even in the absence of my own ability to
smile or hear them). This was actually even before I was exposed to social psychology as
an area of study, and led to the material really coming alive for me. Of course, as soon as
I thought I had it figured out, and things were working more consistently through
increased interactions, I faced greater uncertainty in my physical stamina. Stretches of
the same have been abundant, particularly in the past year. It is especially shocking at
first, to realize that there is a substantial population of people who must expend the
minute energy they have on simply surviving, rather than taking advantage of the
opportunities to shape social exchanges. Goffman placed the majority of the
Convention