Claiming Agency: Building Online Community and Connection Amid Reproductive Censorship
The podcast explores how Abby Deatrix navigates living with Endometriosis. The project examines how online spaces become critical resources for individuals navigating stigmatized health conditions, particularly in light of systemic failures in women’s medical health and political institutional support.
Abby Shares her journey of agency and empowerment through digital communities such as Instagram accounts, Reddit threads, and Facebook groups. These spaces not only provide valuable knowledge but also foster solidarity and validation for those facing isolation. She utilizes these resources to share with loved ones, colleagues, and friends rather than having the emotional burden of explaining her situation over and over again.
The aim of the podcast, and my analysis in the mind map, speaks to the tension of visibility and anonymity in digital spaces, emphasizing choice. It underscores the potential of online participatory cultures to empower individuals to build community and address gaps from traditional trusted institutions.
Course: Digital Literacies in a Networked World
Medium: Going into this project, I intended to create a resource guide filled with Abby’s reflections, and data points she had shared with me. However, when interviewing her, there was so much emotion that could only be rightfully captured through audio. I ended up creating a podcast episode which best conveyed her story and felt true to her. In addition to the podcast, I made a “mind map” (see above) which addressed my methodological process from brainstorming to reflection including screenshots of important data points.