Nick's Disability

57) Disabled families often face the effects of stereotypes of disability through government systems where disabled families are often portrayed to be dependent, incapable, and unreasonable. This reality often excludes disabled families from the decisions that affect their lives, and their needs/desires are put aside to favor protecting normalcy. Facilitating interdependence among disabled families and the greater society could bring new light to the experiences of disabled families. Many disabled families fear that they will be separated if deemed “too disabled” to care for one-another, which often prevents them from “coming-out” or asking for help (Wilde & Hoskinson-Clark, 2014, p. 57. Opening communication channels, and fielding trust and creating supportive foundations by directly considering what individual disabled families and want can largely improve life for those with disabilities and impact their perception and acceptance by the larger society. When disabled people feel as though they are understood, protected, and considered in the decisions that impact their lives a sense of independence develops, and the misrepresentation they experience can be largely reduced to allow individual autonomy to

Disability is a topic viewed differently by each set of eyes. To truly understand a disability, one must live through it or frequently view the lives of another, struggling with an infirmity. Living with a disability may be hard, but it does not mean it is not worth living. Nancy Mairs, author of the essay “On Being a Cripple,” has written about her views and experiences, explaining to the public the truth behind being a “cripple,” and proving that disease does not control you. Explained in the paper, able-bodied people make assumptions to how low quality life must be, living with a disease and that these individuals are constantly unhappy however

Humans are social creatures. We identify ourselves through our community, loved ones, and those who genuinely appreciate our presence. Our identity defines our personality traits, highlight social roles. Those with disabilities are often confused about their identity because they are misunderstood and stigmatized. Through the use of literature, one can empathize better with other people especially those who are misunderstood by society. Disabled people are more likely to be neglected and subjected to prejudice or discrimination. In “Delusion of Grandeur”, Terry Ann Thaxton, talks about the struggle between Adam and his mother because of his disability. Adam struggles to cope with his environment and finds himself isolated and misunderstood. Families ultimately suffer but through their experience, they can learn some amazing lessons.

Those with disabilities have to accept their lives as being deprived of some joyful instances that may never happen. Individuals with handicaps may not be able to be active with their (or other’s) children, dream jobs may not be within grasp, memories may not be accessible while other’s take them for granted and shun those who desire that which they’ve already acquired (“People With Disabilities”). Provided, life is hard with a disability but additionally, those with handicaps must suffer isolation which is unfavorable in multiple ways. With isolation the person has no help, no support, no companionship, and feel ultimately rejected shutting them down in a social manner (“People With Disabilities”).

To most a disability seems like a hinderance, but to others it's what makes them unique, and they shouldn't be frowned upon for it. In the novel The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time by Mark Haddon the main protagonist Christopher John Francis Boone faces both internal and external conflicts and this helps build up courage and bravery. He is faced with mystery and having to deal with his family at the same time. He needs to conquer bravery yet stay away from danger. Lastly, he needs to learn how to accept and forgive while fighting against his disability. After all of these difficult tasks he grows as a person and discovers who he truly is. We all have a little Christopher inside of us.

Despite many crucial developments surrounding acceptance of others there is still a long and arduous path ahead of our society. People with disabilities, whatever a given disability may be and mean for the individual, are frequently stigmatized. They are not always offered equal opportunities, nor are they always offered the proper support to fortify their capabilities so that the individual may be the best they can be. Because of this there are many people who never go or return to college, are unemployed, or are isolated from the community.

Individuals with developmental disabilities face many problem in our society due to our low expectations that we have for them. Yes they do have problems, but just like everyone else they have their strengths and weaknesses. There may be things that I’m not good at, but I still have the ability to find a good paying job that involves my strengths. By looking at the two essays, For Hire: Dedicated Young Man With Down Syndrome and An Inside View of Autism I was able to see how much our society discriminates against their unique features. We should focus on each person’s strengths rather then generalizing about all individuals with developmental disabilities.

Throughout my entire life I’ve gone through numerous troubles & tribulations. Certain people take pity on me & think that my quality of life is lesser than their own. I believe that my disability barely hinders my life. And if it does interfere with my life, then I perseverance & then achieve my goals. I believe that through hard work & persevere anyone could achieve their goals.

In the world we live in today, many of us criticize or judge others while not noticing it. For instance, when one sees a person with a disability they seem to aid them in any actions they’re taking. Many believe they are committing a good deed, although we are actually thinking of them as an incapable and/or weakened human being therefore we assume its our duty to assist them. In addition, the people’s lack of awareness about the history of people with disabilities are the reason why many of us slack the credentials to realize how we characterize them. Last but not least, the extra effort we make when we see a person with a disability has to be viewed from all perspectives not just one.

He was accepted into our new school but the students there were not very accepting. It was a very difficult time for him and he barely made any acquaintances because it’s not just his disabilities that are barring him from acquiring friends, but also the fact that he is a minority. Feeling sorry for my brother, I remember contemplating on forgetting our Filipino culture because I did not want our ethnicity to be another factor along with my brother’s disability to be the reason that makes him “different” from others. It’s been more than a decade since I had that thought and I realized that Paul has been my inspiration this whole time. I’ve had opportunities that he did not have and as I continue to grow personally and professionally into my field, he will continue to be my inspiration and a reminder to myself to be thankful for everything that I have because there are countless others like him who would like to have what I’ve got in

Growing up with two siblings who are both handicapped has influenced me most as a person and student. My older sister Alex, who is 31, has cerebral palsy which impairs her both mentally and physically. This disability leaves her unable to care for herself and makes it hard to accomplish the most basic tasks that some take for granted like eating a meal or holding a conversation. My younger brother Harry, age 27, was diagnosed with severe learning disability as a child. He lives in Boston and works a part time job (stop and shop) but is heavily dependent on my parents to support him. Additionally, his potential for higher learning and employment is bleak.

When a child is born in a family with a disability or a member is diagnosed, had an accident or is diagnosed with a problem, it is an event that affects each member of the family. Because the family can run a series of risks when facing the relationship with the person with a disability: that one parent becomes more charged than the other, that the other siblings feel unattended, that the brothers come to make pseudo- Parents, that the family is closer to the social relation, etc.

People from outside his home who are not his family members and who he interact with do not treat him as a normal child. Strangers treat him with despise, fear and pity. Others make jokes about him, even going as far as referring to him as an alien because he looks strange and awkward. Many don’t want be associated with him because they don’t want to get the illness. This is an exemplification of the sad life that people with disability or those who are considered to be abnormal in the society experience. Very few people are willing to associate with them. They are treated differently and are often given strange looks.

The most significant event in my life is that I grew up with a parent with a disability. My dad has been suffering from late-stage liver cirrhosis, waiting for the liver transplant. This terrible illness caused his permanent disability, which has changed my life in many ways. My parents have been battling bravely against the disease, while I picked up much of the house chores and have taken many other responsibilities. My dad’s attitude toward the disease taught me to persevere in the face of difficulties while staying strong. The hardship molded my approach towards adversity and caused me to mature at an accelerated rate.

Over the years, perceptions towards disability have been significantly changing as result of the long pathway the disable community has taken fighting for Civil Rights, inclusion and against discrimination. Unfortunately, this last one has not been totally accomplished yet. Barriers to social integration still exist in the society. Perhaps the greatest barrier is not the disability itself; is the attitude of people.