The construction of child subjectivity in existence with chronic illness: discussions of stigma

Abstract

The present article discusses the construction of the child subjectivity, in existence with situations of chronic illnesses and stigma. We prioritized play expressions as a mechanism of excellence for this process, which facilitates through play the elaboration of stigma by the child. We have utilized a case study as the methodological strategy to illuminate the consequences of stigma - defined as a collection of marks associated with myeloemeningocele in five children with ages ranging from 7 to 8 years. Such children visit and are treated at the Fernandes Figueira Institute from birth. Aside from the direct contact with children, their mothers were interviewed in order to recover and register their personal histories, having as the main chronological marks: the news of the pregnancy, the prenatal care, the diagnostical examinations and the verification of the anomaly in their children, the birth and finally, the sociability networks, prioritizing family, school and hospital interactions. It was concluded that the technical action mediated by Play in child health serves as potent instrument for the construction of an integral clinic. Such clinic has as its central epithet the bond of trust established in the encounter amongst people, and that it will facilitate their relationship and social exchange which transcends the reductionist health-care model.