ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author examines the role of undertaking doctoral studies as a way of imposing order on her experience and as structured purposeful activity. She utilises her own writing and reflections in line with the Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard’s reflection: ‘It is quite true what philosophy says: that life must be understood backwards. But then one forgets the other principle, that it must be lived forwards’. Crossley writes of ‘narrative wreckage, biographical disruption’ and ‘ontological assault’. Ontological insecurity, a state of unstable sense of self, identity, and the world around the author, is her new state of being. Communication is fundamental both to the self and to engagement with others – social capital depends on communication. When disease, degeneration, or disaster strike the communication senses – specifically, hearing and seeing – the risk to an individual’s sense of security is pronounced. Salutogenesis is found in sharing stories of experience and difficulties.
