29 FIZJOTERAPIA / PHYSIOTHERAPY Fizjoterapia / Physiotherapy 2016, 24, 1, 29-33 Body as a value in the experience of a disabled person: an axiological analysis of a text published on the website niepełnosprawni.pl/wszystko o niepełnosprawności DOI: 10.1515/physio-2016-0003 Krzysztof Pezdek Physiotherapy Department, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław Abstract The objective of this elaboration is to perform an axiological analysis of an opinion of a person with a stoma published on the website niepełnosprawni.pl/wszystko o niepełnosprawności. The analysis will show how the author experi- enced her own body in various contexts during several years of her disease, e.g. in her family, peer group, sport, hospital, professional work, and moreover – how this kind of narration can be used in the therapeutic process. Key words: axiological analysis, system of values, disabled person In the experience of people with disability, the body plays an important role, as it can impact their system of values construc- tively and destructively [1-4]. From the axiological perspective, experience of the body may vary depending on the type, form, content, location and function implemented by it [4]. This multi- dimensionality of experience refects a complex network of re- lations the body enters with other values, e.g. life, health, phys- ical ftness, education, professional work, etc. It constitutes a value which fundamentally impacts the experience of the world by the disabled as well as needs and purposes imple- mented by them 1 . Disabled people can experience their body as an autotelic and instrumental value [4]. Autotelic values constitute an ob- jective themselves, therefore they are not implemented due to any other value. Instrumental values are used as a tool in implementation of other values [9]. However, one must re- member that enthusiasts of instrumental values often under- mine the legitimacy of autotelic values; it is done among oth- ers by pragmatists. In their opinion, the primary fault of autotelic values is assigning transcendental existence be- yond empirical reality available in the research process to them [10]. As a value, the body may assume numerous forms, e.g. subjects fulflling needs of an individual, beliefs, approaches, existential opinions, cultural symbols, etc. It depends whether it is treated as a sociological, psychological or cultural phe- nomenon [8, 11, 12]. The body may also assume various con- tents, e.g. hedonistic, utilitarian, vital, spiritual, cultural, moral, religious [13]. Moreover, it may take the central or peripheral position in the system of values of disabled people. Some researchers, instead of the position of values, analyze their intensity [14]. However, regardless of the fact whether the subject of the study is the position or intensity of values, in both cases the defnition of central and peripheral values is fundamentally identical. As a central value, the body signif- cantly impacts functioning of individuals, organizing their life around itself, while other values are pushed to the peripheries of the axiological system. While the body as a peripheral val- ue does not have a signifcant impact on the functioning of individuals, it does not organize other values around itself which would have such an impact [11, 15]. In systems of values of disabled people, the body may implement various specifed functions. In literature on the subject, most frequently the cognitive function is listed – through their bodies, individuals get to know themselves and determine their status in society; the motivational function – through their bodies, individuals plan specifed actions as well as select methods and techniques to implement these plans; the educational function – through their bodies, individuals learn particular approaches and behaviors; the expressive function – through their bodies, individuals manifest their emotional states [8, 15]. The presented possibilities of the axiological approach of the body have not been exhausted as systems of values are characterized by dynamism, and therefore particular values can change depending on the current context [11]. Further- more, they can simultaneously assume various forms, con- 1 In this elaboration I do not deal with ontological issues of valu- es. I do not discuss the subject of objective, subjective or emotive exi- stence of values undertaken for many years by researchers of vario- us disciplines [5-7]. I assume that values exist as an element of the cognitive system of each rational and conscious individual, therefore they are meaningful in the perception of the experienced world as well as an motivational factor controlling behavior in certain daily practices [8].