There are over 7 billion people in the world, each one is unique. In one classroom alone, you could see this diversity, people with differences both physical and culturally. It is up to everyone to understand and accept these differences. Cultural differences and misunderstandings about disabilities can lead to many personal challenges. In both texts, “ Finding Her Way” and “ Kylie’s Project” demonstrate this as well as how Angela and Kylie cope with their situations, each text then goes on to explain and demonstrate different ways in which people cope with these types of challenges. In “Kylie’s Project” Kylie a disabled 12 year old girl, shows how she overcomes and copes with her disability, and the misunderstanding surrounding her disability. For example, in the text it says “You know, Kylie, I thought you still rode in a ring with a trainer next to you. How does it feel to be out there on your own? ‘ KYLIE (smiling): ‘Amazing. It’s only temporary, but I feel so free. I can go places I could never go in my chair, like this path through the woods’.” This …show more content…
Furthermore, Kylie’s experiences show that people can cope in many different ways, such as riding or finding something you're good at that makes you happy. Also, as Kylie showed explaining your disability to people, so they understand could also help you. For instance, in scene 5 and 6, Kylie goes in front of the class and talks about riding and how she can do it even though she is in a wheelchair, then in scene 6 she goes on the talk about it even more. In the text it says “ EMILY. That was amazing. “KYLIE: That I can ride? / EMILY: No, that you were willing to talk about your disability like that! / KYLIE (laughs): But, Emily, I wasn’t talking about
In her essay “On Being a Cripple”, Nancy Mairs presents her audience with an honest inside view of her life and perspective as a cripple, a word she openly uses to define herself. She brings her world to us by discussing a wide variety of things including language, family, and humor, and how these all relate to her life. Through various stories and insights, she allows her readers to gain an understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities. She examines the public’s view of the disabled, as well as the views they have of themselves, and compares them to her own. She makes it clear that she is not to be defined solely by her disability. In discussing honestly her views, as well as
In the essay “On Being a Cripple” by Nancy Mairs reflects her life as a “cripple” because of MS, and her recognition of it. Mairs purpose is to inform individuals on her perspective on being a cripple. She describes how she views herself and how others look at her. Mairs use of word choice, tone, and examples of her life experience provides a better understanding to the goal of this essay.
The moment she got trampled under the stomps and shoves of others, one could identify what she’d been feeling like previously - a witness to her own inconvenience. This incident not only exemplifies but also symbolizes the burden she feels having been born handicapped, unable to provide assistance or gain to the world. These feelings Adahs has for her life are later rebutted by her longstanding dreams of attending medical school and improving science. By achieving her academic potential, she finally recognized herself as an important asset to the world- no longer being seen as handicapped, physically or mentally.
In her essay, “On Being a Cripple”, Nancy Mairs, an essayist with multiple sclerosis, writes about her experiences with her disease. She wants her audience of able-bodied people to stop pitying towards disabled people and instead show acceptance. Mairs achieves her purpose by presenting herself as similar and relatable to her able-bodied audience with many anecdotes and a blunt tone. This discussion of her condition removes the discomfort about disabilities felt by her audience and allows for them to accept disabled people. While Maris’s primary audience is an able-bodied person who supports disabled people, other readers, like someone with her condition, may be drawn towards this essay as well. Unlike an able-bodied person, a disabled person
Unspeakable Conversations by Harriet McBryde Johnson is an article about her experience visiting Princeton University to exchange views and challenge Peter Singer, a professor who strongly believes that all disabled people, like herself, are “better off” not been born at all. The article provides an insight into Johnson’s life as a disabled person. She takes the readers on a journey that explores both sides of her own and Singer’s contrasting beliefs. She protests the prevalent stigma and prejudice of disabled people and gives voice to this marginalized community. Johnson challenges stereotypes of disability, uses her a personal experience to better understand the world and help others, and attempts to directly address oppression by arguing against Professor Singer’s theory and assemble a group of diverse and like-minded people for social change.
I believe that any obstacle or disadvantage can be made into something positive. The story of Corrie ten Boom, a Polish holocaust victim, and two homeschooled friends I know with cerebral palsy prove this point in many ways.
3. People with disabilities are often told they can’t do the things they want to do. Show how the saying “fake it until you make it” is a common theme throughout the book.
In the text Kylie states “I don’t want to bring attention to myself. I just want to be treated like everyone else”. This shows that Kylie doesn’t want all of the attention to her just because she has a wheelchair. In the text it states “I can go places I could never go in my chair, like this path through the woods. Do you know what those bumps and twigs would do to my wheels?”. This shows she feels better about her disability because she found a way to resolve
Not only do they face extra challenges in order to function in society, but they also have to face their own inner doubts about keeping up with their peers. When Ms. Long spoke about wanting to keep up with her peers in the interview with PBS, it showed me how motivated and positive people with disabilities have to stay while trying to reach their goals. Unfortunately, today’s society still has some negative stigmas towards people who have disabilities. The Paralympic games impact the public’s perception of individuals with disabilities by showing them how strong people who have disabilities really are, and hopefully dispelling any negative thoughts. The Paralympics also change the perception of individuals within the disabled public, by providing children and possibly adults with role models and aspirations that could help them become more motivated to strive for
This film brought awareness to the evolution of disabilities in our society. From when Willowbrook opened its doors to present day, we see many of the same problems regarding individuals with disabilities in our society. The social model is the impact of the medical model and how it impacts the lives of individuals with disabilities. In the film, there was a lot of mention of individuals with disabilities being labeled as ‘mentally retarded’. In today’s society, this has become less of a problem. Many individuals believe in person first language, making the individual more than just a disability. In the film, many of the families and others in their society had very little on mental illness, and they were often taught that individuals with
As a future educator I may have a student with a disability and I will always take careful consideration with particular decisions in the classroom to make all people feel welcome and comfortable. As a teacher I do not want children beginning their lives taking a deficit approach towards ‘disability’. A positive perspective of disability is portrayed through ‘Welcome to Holland’ (1987) as it is a beautiful way for people and families to see ‘disability’. This aspect also links directly to families and their role on perceiving disability in a constructive light.
Prior to the course, Perspectives on disability, my understanding of disability was a fundamental, concept of disability, in which I knew it existed, and also have seen and interacted with people considered to have a disability. I never took a deep look at all the social and political factors that exist within the spectrum of disability. This course has allowed me to examine all aspects of disability, which has changed my view and approach of what a disability is and how it is viewed. "Historically, disability has been viewed fundamentally as a persoal tragedy, which has resulted in diasbled people being seen as objects of pity or in need of charity. They have been subject to descriminatory policies and practices in which the predominant images of passivity and helplesness reinforced their inferior status"(Barton 4). Uncovering the framework of disability, by studying the historical, soicial political and educational standpoint, I see the intricacies in which gives me a greater understanding and awareness of the topic.
An individual with intellectual disabilities can face many barriers in not only their academic life, but also their social life. Peter, has faced barriers to his successful inclusion in the classroom. One of the barriers the video mentions is teachers displaying unwillingness to including Peter in their classroom simply because teachers do not accept him or his disability. I believe prejudice is a barrier many people with intellectual disabilities are forced to face at a given point in their lives. I think the prejudice stems from fear and misunderstanding of people who are physically or mentally different. In chapter nine of this week’s readings, it highlights on the importance of individual relationships are between the teacher and the student with a disability. Focusing on a student’s strengths rather than there IQ or weaknesses is essential to their success. “Some teachers focus on her IQ, but that’s not a useful fact. Everything depends on the relationship Rachel and I have with educators, on their skills, and on Rachel’s attitude, behavior, and self-determination.” (Turnbull. p. 187). Another barrier Peter faces is the desperate struggle of wanting his independence, yet still needing outside assistance for things. The loneliness and the inability to properly communicate his emotions are one of the biggest mental barriers Peter has faced. Peter overcame and managed these barriers through
Disability status presented a very real, significant barrier to the Gil-Rostovich family in forming positive relationships and engagement with the school. All members of the family either had an identified disability or a suspected disability (Leah). Dannie, who is in the 2nd grade, has been diagnosed
You might believe that “having a disability” and “being disabled” are one in the same, but I can assure you, that is not the case. “Having a disability” means that a weakness exists, but a person who has a disability does not have to allow their weak points to define them. In fact, I've gone to some lengths to hide mine and transform my weaknesses into strengths. In contrast, a person who views themselves as disabled allows their disability to determine who they are and what they will be. Even through times of discouragement, I have never allowed my deficits to deter me from going after the life I’ve dreamed for myself. Ever since I was 8 years old, I’ve known that I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up. I also know that becoming an M.D. is no simple feat, so I have immersed myself in my studies. I am aware that it takes me twice as long to go half as far as my peers, so I work three times as hard and long. I have grown to know myself and my disability on a more intimate level, and as a result am able to compensate to the point where most people have no idea I struggle so much. Through hard work, perseverance, and the occasional bout of tears, I’ve worked my way into the top 20% of my class. “Proud” doesn’t even begin to describe my feelings toward that achievement!