Essay on Life With Spina Bifida

* Following a SCI, the first priority is often to help the patient develop as much possible strength in the

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 order to effectively embed disabled children’s participation, it needs to be fully accessible and inclusive. The social model of disability provides a framework for inclusive participation; by focusing on changing attitudes and removing or minimizing barriers that prevent disabled children accessing the same opportunities as other children and young people.

When my older sister, Molly, was ten years old, she was a temporary cripple. Molly went through a pretty big surgery that would stop her from tripping over her pigeon toed legs. While living a couple months in her wheelchair, an uncle of ours came to visit. His warm welcome to my sister was pushing her into a corner, locking her wheelchair, and calling her a windowlicker. Thankfully, my sister has tough skin. She took what others would find scarring, all as a joke. It is hard not to be reminded of the unexpected response my sister gave while reading the essay “I AM a Cripple” by Nancy Mairs. Within this essay, the author describes her life as a cripple suffering with MS. While sharing her thoughts and emotions (gerund) from

Disability could delay a child’s social development if they feel left out, it may lower their self-esteem and their confidence in making friends therefore they won’t be getting the experience they need to develop their social skills and their emotional development because they won’t be learning to wait their turn and share. Also they may lack in a ‘can do’ attitude which could stop them from trying new things and trying again if they fail the first time.

The interdependence model of disability states that higher levels of social support for disabled means more opportunities for disabled people to be successful in professional lives and to live healthier, longer lives (Helliwell, 2001). However, the most important aspect of interdependency model lies in the fact that not only disabled people benefit from having higher levels of social support. Communities with higher levels of social support and interdependence are found to be healthier than communities with lower levels of social support (White et al., 2010). The idea of benefits to both disabled

In Canada, a clinical study by De Wals et al was performed to assess whether or not folic acid fortification has an effect on the recurrence of NTDs (neural tube defects), especially on upper and lower birth defects called spina bifida (De Wals et al., 2008). The study was performed in three different regions in Canada: the eastern, western and central provinces (De Wals et al., 2008). Furthermore, the population of the study was conducted on three different types of births which were livebirths, stillbirths, and termination of pregnancies, and the study was carried out through three periods included prefortification, partial fortification and full fortifications (De Wals et al., 2008). The researchers followed the scientific investigation

If a child has a disability that restricts movement or requires them to use a wheelchair they will find it a lot harder to participate in the same activities as other children. This exclusion means that they will find it more challenging to develop relationships than their peers. If a child requires a wheelchair children may see them as different and may not want to interact with them in the same way they would with others. Consequently, they may find that they are being treated differently to other children. This will therefore harm the child’s social development and lower their self-esteem.

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 book called A Very Special Critter by Gina and Mercer Mayer is a book about a new kid named Alex coming to class who is in a wheelchair. One kid in the class was afraid because he had never seen someone in a wheelchair before. Alex came into class the next day, and everyone thought his wheelchair was super cool. Alex made a lot of friends. The book explains that no matter what disability a child has that there will always be someone there to support him/her. A child in their wheelchair may feel lonely and get down on themselves. Perhaps because they feel out of place, and feel as if they are incapable of what all their friends can do. However, that is not true. In today’s society, there are many sports and activities available for kids who have a disability (Mayer, 1992).

With nearly 20% of Americans having a disability, the voice of the disability community is growing stronger and louder. The disability community has worked long and hard to ensure that people with disabilities are included in conventional American life and not sent away to institutions such as mental hospitals and nursing homes. While the disability community has made large strides towards equality, there is still much to come until people with disabilities are truly integrated in mainstream life. For example, Scott Randolf, a Vietnam veteran who lost his sight and legs from duty, complains that he is not getting the help he needs. His wheelchair is unable to fit through several doors; if he falls on the floor, he is not able to get up until the ambulance and

Spinal cord injury is a serious problem that effects close to 250,000 people in the United States with 10,000 people being injured per year . There are many things that can lead to spinal cord injury, including athletic injuries, car accidents, and recreational activities like swimming and biking. It primarily effects those between the ages of 16 and 30 and drastically effects the rest of their lives. It is a very debilitating injury that requires extensive medical care, often leaves the patients in a great deal of pain for the rest of their lives(2), and the treatment of which costs $10 billion dollars a year in the US.(facts from site 1) With all of these factors spurring research on there is a strong drive to

Another obvious physical disability is an individual's confinement to a wheelchair. People who cannot walk under their own power are usually at a great disadvantage. Many times there are no special considerations made for these people. Even some typical expressions demonstrate this lack of compassion, such as "I have to run to the store", or "I'm going for a walk." People in wheelchairs are often considered weak and unable to care for themselves. However, some advances have been made in our society that encourages the independence of these people. Wheelchair ramps, handicap parking, and cuts in the curb of sidewalks are just some of the more obvious changes that have been made to better accommodate these people. But some problems may still occur for people in wheelchairs. Some hallways and doors may not be wide enough for the chair to fit through and when it is icy outside it is very easy to slide if the pavement is not sanded properly.

Developed in response to societal experiences which left the disabled person feeling socially isolated and oppressed. Lack of opportunities, choice restrictions and lack of control over the support systems led them to question the traditional dominant medical model.

Approximately 15% of the world’s population is, in a way, disabled. Whether it is a physical disability or a serious chronic disease, we have about one billion people in the world that live with a disability every day of their lives. It often occurs that these people are seen as an outcast of society; people that cannot live normal lives. It is important to realize that this is not true at all. People with disabilities are completely able to be part of the world. It is just the world’s duty to accept them.