November 2014 – mamasmunchkin

This week, I thought I’d spend some time talking about something that might happen when people become disabled because of violent crime. Unfortunately, the topic of Disabled Victims of Crime seems to be a subject that isn’t talked about too much, or is simply ignored all together.

Having a Criminal Justice background and having been blessed to have spent some years actually working in the Criminal Justice System, it’s sad that not enough attention is given to what happens to innocent bystanders sometimes involved. I’m talking about the ones who ultimately suffer the consequences of someone else’s actions. Does anyone give a second thought to the impact the incident may have on them long after criminal proceedings come to a close? This brings me to the case of Danielle Sampson.

She was hit by a bullet that wasn’t intended for her and now lives with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I’m glad her family won a civil law suit against the convicted shooter. The money they receive should help with her required around-the-clock care. At the same time, because the shooter received a 30 year sentence in Florida’s Department of Corrections, it leaves me wondering, how much of the money will her family actually get to help with her daily needs?

Increased attention is good in these type of cases because it leads to the potential of more awareness. Although the best case scenario would obviously be violent crime not occur in the first place. This is just one example that because of violent crime, many lives have been impacted forever.

For more information check out the link below:

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/man-convicted-shooting-12-year-old-asks-new-trial/ngKCJ/

Thanks for reading..
cr

This week, I was reading my Pegasus U.C.F. Alumni magazine and saw a little boy with a prosthetic arm on the cover. I had seen something about it on the news earlier in the week but, really hadn’t thought too much about it.

What really struck me about the story in the magazine was the fact that Alex’s mother noticed the difference having the prosthetic makes in his life. I’ve spoken with many parents of children and people with disabilities and I know that emotions about disability run the gamut. Whether someone’s disabled at birth or a disability occurs later in life, it can be difficult for people to handle. One of the most important things is the support and love our parents give us to achieve our goals. I know living with a disability can be challenging for everyone affected but, positive results can always be achieved because of our outlook on life. The way his parents have encouraged him and didn’t give up on finding the assistance he needed will impact him for the rest of his life. Not just because the end result was receiving the prosthetic, but also the other seeds the experience has potentially planted.

At the same time, sometimes prosthesis aren’t suitable for those who might be able to utilize them, depending on their particular circumstances. That’s okay too. We all find a way to compensate when we need to accomplish our goals. According to the article, although adjusting to the weight of the prosthetic has its challenges, it’s given Alex a new outlook on life. Although he may still have challenges ahead, I think this opportunity will start him looking at life in a different way, allowing him to begin his own adventure. Kudos also are in order to the team of students who had a part in completing this project. They unselfishly took the time out to positively impact someone else’s life. The difference they made will be felt for years to come by many not able to get this assistance by other avenues currently available.

How have different pieces of assistive technology impacted your life?

For more information check out the link below:

http://today.ucf.edu/fulfilling-6-year-olds-dream-ucf-students-design-build-arm/

Thanks for reading..

Month: November 2014

Caught in the Crossfire

Special Gift from UCF Students