Reciprocity, resources, and relationships: New discourses in healthcare, personal, and social relationships

Dominant cultural narratives of disability and rehabilitation tend to emphasize a unilateral perspective on need, dependency, and giving. Yet, making a contribution and participating in a two-way process of giving are common features of strong, healthy relationships and community belonging. This paper will explore reciprocity within social relationships and link aspects of making a contribution and taking part to the concept of Active Citizenship. Drawing on theory and research from sociology, psychology, rehabilitation, ageing, and disability studies, the paper will discuss issues for researchers, therapists, support workers, and friends in building more equal relationships between people with communication disability and those they live and work with. Through descriptions of two community building projects developed by people with aphasia at Connect-the communication disability network in the UK, the paper will illuminate what active citizenship means and ways collaborative, user-led projects can promote social capital and leadership by people who live with a communication disability. This is positioned as an alternative to models and mindsets which risk perpetuating careers for people as passive recipients of care and support. The paper concludes by identifying practical implications for clinicians in promoting reciprocal relationships with and between adults with communication impairments.