Uncategorized – Page 9 – mamasmunchkin

The TSA Traumatizes 3 year old Toddler

February 21, 2013 by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

I know that traveling can be a bit of a pain in the neck sometimes. Especially because when I travel by airplane, I order a wheelchair from the airline to be waiting for me when I get to the airport. This just makes the chore of getting through the airport with the large number of people who are also traveling and getting through security checkpoints a bit easier. That’s why this morning when I was watching “Good Morning America”, I was surprised to hear one of the stories they were talking about.

They showed a 3 year old girl named Lucy who has Spina Bifida and was traveling to Disney World with her family. Because she’s in a wheelchair due to her disability, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) told her parents they needed to screen the wheelchair and their daughter. When her Mom said they couldn’t do that unless she could tape it, they said they couldn’t allow her to do so.

Security measures need to be followed for the safety of the general public and I am all for the precautions but, when you treat people unfairly and make a 3 year old cry, that becomes a problem.

I understand from personal experience the extra screening that goes on at the airport because of incidences such as September 11th and agree that extra safety measures need to be taken. I also understand that when traveling in a wheelchair, the screening can get to the point of uncomfortable because of the frequent use of body pat downs. I can say that using body scanners, which is supposed to be less intrusive on people’s personal space doesn’t really work for someone with limited or no balance. Maybe some other method could be devised in the future where the security officers don’t need to get in someone’s personal space so much while still ensuring the safety of all passengers.

In this case, compassion could’ve been shown to the family while still following safety protocol.

What are your feelings about security measures at the airport?

Here is the link to the story:

http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/tsa-apologizes-traumatizing-disabled-toddler-135529408–abc-news-travel.html

Thanks for reading..

Bullying and People with Disabilities

February 13, 2013 by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Recently, I’ve seen a lot of different stories on t.v. and online about bullying and its devastating effects, not only on victims but, on their families as well. Bullying isn’t really something new. Like many other issues, the media and its wide reach help bring this problem to the forefront of society’s attention more today than in years’ past.

Students who are disabled experience bullying at a higher rate than those who aren’t disabled. That’s because they’re perceived as easier targets who can’t defend themselves. When parents send their kids to school, they are under the impression that the kids are going somewhere safe, and that their child will not become the victim of a bully.

For parents of disabled children there are a few avenues that can be utilized to help with this problem. If your child is being taunted because of their disability, it could reach the level of disability harassment. According to the U.S. Department of Education, disability harassment is “intimidation or abusive behavior toward a student based on disability that creates a hostile environment by interfering with or denying a student’s participation in or receipt of benefits, services, or opportunities in the institution’s program” (U.S. Department of Education 2000).

It’s very important as parents to know what is going on at your child’s school and to have open communication with their 504 or IEP (Individual Education Plan) team (whichever applies to them). This team isn’t only there to maximize your child’s learning experience but, also to make sure they receive the services and support they need to succeed in their studies.

If your child is having these types of issues at school, it wouldn’t only be hard for them to put forth their best efforts but, also hard to not worry about when the next time might be that they run into another issue with the person in question. Also, if your child is being bullied, their IEP or 504 Team should be brought together in a meeting to see how the plan can be adjusted to address the issue. At the same time, it is also very important that if you find your child in this situation, you proceed with caution in resolving the issue so that your actions don’t inadvertently make the situation worse.

All in all, slowly but surely, the issue of bullying is being addressed by schools. The best thing we can do for our students is to take a proactive approach to help solve the issue if in fact it presents itself.

For more information, please visit: http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/groups/special-needs/BullyingTipSheet.pdf

Thanks for reading..

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and How He Helped the Disabled

January 21, 2013 by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Today is the day of observance for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. He worked tirelessly for the civil rights of African-Americans in the 1960’s.

What some people may not realize is that he did a lot for disabled people as well. If it weren’t for the barriers he broke down, I don’t think the disabled population, at that time would have even had the courage to fight for the rights we enjoy today.

Yes, as I have said before, I realize that such things as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) could and should be improved but, I also realize that there are a lot of people with a disability who lived before laws like the ADA were in existence and their lives had even more obstacles than what we face today.

In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s struggle to help African-American people get the rights they deserve and be treated as human beings, he also helped disabled people get that much closer to the rights and lives we deserve the opportunity to enjoy. I know in his “I Have a Dream” speech, he spoke of those who not only had a different skin color and religion but, I believe he was also planting the seeds for those who have other barriers, so that they too could live free from discrimination.

Happy Birthday Dr. King and thank you for being such an advocate for the human race as a whole.

Thanks for reading..

Nursing Homes for Kids?

January 18, 2013 by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Institutionalization of the disabled has always bothered me. It seems even sillier when you talk about placing kids into nursing homes. Where is the thought of quality of life for these people? While I do understand that these people are severely disabled and their quality of life may not be like yours and mine, they are still human beings. Why diminish their quality of life even more by placing them in a nursing home if it isn’t necessary?

In my opinion, it’s always a better option to keep people with their family members and in their homes when at all possible. I also understand that there are times when this may not be an option for someone for various reasons. The problem is that, at times, they aren’t even given any other option.

The article below seems to have some good ideas for steps in the right direction. It talks about “care coordinators” being assigned to patients in the nursing homes. The best part of the whole article is that if the program really works like it says it will, maybe one day people who really can be at home can have a “care coordinator” assigned to them in the comfort of their own home.

Unfortunately, I think that the system currently in place is just the “easier” option. If it weren’t for parents like the one interviewed in the article, most of these kids would probably be forgotten about.

Here is the link to the original article:

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/9-investigates-changes-floridas-care-disabled-chil/nTzNM/

Thanks for reading..

The Many Benefits of a Service Animal

January 15, 2013 by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

As I started writing this post, I did not realize that different organizations sometimes use different names for the assistance their service animals provide to the recipients. In my list below, I tried to find the most common name used by the general public.

When I think of service animals, I usually think about dogs assisting those who are visually impaired. Today there are many different ways that dogs and other kinds of animals help those who live with different disabilities. Here are the 5 most interesting ways I think service animals help their owners live a more independent life. :

1. Seizure Alert Dog– These dogs can be trained to get help for their owner when they are about to have a seizure. They can also be trained to get a person’s medicine or be a comfort to the person while they recover from the seizure.

2. Psychiatric Service Dog– These dogs help Veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as people with other mental health issues. They can provide a calming effect in different situations and be trained to complete other tasks based on the needs of the owner.

3. Mobility Service Dog– These dogs help their owners by opening doors or getting at items their owner cannot reach, in some cases, bringing that item to them. They can also be trained to turn lights on and off.

4. Autism Service Dog– These dogs can help the owner take notice of important sounds like a door bell or smoke alarm. The owner can then focus on the most important situation and take action. They can also help distract the owner from overstimulation.

5. Facility Dogs– These dogs work with a health care professional or teacher in an educational setting. They remind me of therapy dogs that are brought by handlers to visit patients in the hospital. They work with someone who does not live with them in their home. Facility dogs can help with such things as motivating the student or patient to interact in particular situations. The dogs also provide encouragement to the people who come into contact with them.

For more information please visit the following websites:

www.cci.org

http://www.mentalhealthdogs.org/Psychiatric-Service-Dogs.html

http://4pawsforability.org/seizure-assistance-dog/

http://pawsitivesolutions.org/

http://www.vetsfwd.org/site/index.php

Thanks for reading..

Homecoming Queen with Down Syndrome

December 29, 2012 by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Steve Harvey is mostly associated with “The Kings of Comedy”, where he really got his start in the entertainment business. I really love his talk show, “The Steve Harvey Show”. It is full of comedy and entertainment but one of the best things about it are the personal stories of the people he interviews on the show.

Most of the time, they are not celebrity guests, like most of the other talk shows on t.v. today. They are just everyday people who, to me, are trying to make a difference in someone’s life. A few weeks ago, he had on Jessica Giddens, a girl with Down Syndrome who was chosen Homecoming Queen at her high school. Her mom did not realize how many friends her daughter had or how loved she was by the student body.

I was really glad he chose to interview her for a couple different reasons. First, she really shows the world that her disability is not an obstacle to what she wants to achieve. Even a few of her classmates were interviewed and they said that because of her outlook and the way she lives her life, she has helped them realize that their everyday struggles aren’t so bad. Second, during the interview, she was very funny and seemed to be very much a people person.

If you have read my blog before, you know that I am no way into getting or giving someone pity because they have a disability. I feel like this is an important interview for me to talk about not because she was being pitied, far from it. It’s just that sometimes people take for granted the good things that are going on in their lives. Jessica and her classmates are an excellent example of making the best of what you have and making yourself shine.

What are some examples that make you stop and be appreciative of the things in your life?

Thanks for reading..

Disability on Television: A History

December 19, 2012 by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Something that has always been interesting to me is seeing disabled characters being portrayed on t.v. I am not sure if it is because I remember seeing Geri Jewell on “The Facts of Life” and thinking… there’s someone else with C.P. Then I started thinking about how disabled characters have “matured” over time. What I mean by that is I feel like with each character that is shown on t.v., the characters are made stronger and more independent with the passage of time.

Though the list I am about to share is a small one, I feel like it is representative of how disability has “grown up” in the media’s eyes. I am also going to say, and others will probably agree, that people who are disabled are still very under represented on television and hopefully, in the future, that will change.

Here is my list of people who have brought disability into living rooms everywhere and made the topic more relatable to others:

1. Geri Jewell– She was on the “Facts of Life” and played Blair’s cousin. This was probably one of the first portrayals of disability on t.v. that showed a disabled person being just like everyone else.

2. Marlee Matlin– Most recently, she was a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars” but, to me, Marlee Matlin has had many other memorable roles. I know she was in “Children of a Lesser God” and won an Academy Award for her performance in the movie. To me, the fact that she is a person with a disability who has won such a prestigious award, speaks volumes about overcoming society’s stereotypes and everyday barriers in general. My favorite portrayal of hers was in a show called “Picket Fences” where she played a bank robber and then, later, was the mayor. It was a fun role that, again, showed someone with a disability in an everyday kind of person manner.

3. Chris Burke – He played Corky on “Life Goes On”. This is someone with Down Syndrome who was dealing with everyday problems on television. I feel like he helped people realize that people with different types of disabilities could live their life just like anyone else. It also showed that they went through the same things as everyone else even though they live with a disability. When I saw this show, I really felt like people who live with Down Syndrome were being portrayed in a very honest manner.

4. Laura Innes– She was one of the doctors on “ER”. This was the first time I had ever seen a person with a disability actually being a doctor on television. Though I am very aware that there are doctors with disabilities in the “real” world, I felt like this was the first time a disabled character had a position of power.

5. Jim Byrnes– If you have ever caught “Highlander: The Series” in the 90’s, you will remember this character. He was Duncan McLeod’s “watcher”. Though his disability was not the main focus of his character, and it shouldn’t have been, it was very refreshing to see him in a helping capacity.

6. Andrea Friedman– She has been on “Life Goes On” and some other shows as well but, I picked to put her on my list for her role as Katie on “Law and Order: SVU”. Until now, this has to be my favorite character. Not because she was a victim, though I felt like that part of the show could also open the door for some good dialogue about the subject, but because she was pregnant and wanted to be a mom to her baby. I was very happy that her character gave people the opportunity to think of people who are disabled as perspective parents too, something you definitely don’t see too often on television.

The following was certainly a small list but, it is evidence of the wide range of roles that have been developed to show people with a disability on television. What have you learned from seeing people with disabilities being portrayed on television?

Thanks for reading..

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: A few Thoughts

December 6, 2012December 6, 2012 by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

This past Monday was International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This day was started by the United Nations in an effort to help others understand disability issues and bring about disability awareness to the general public. It has been promoted by the U.N. since 1992.

Every year, this day has had a different theme. This year’s theme was “Removing Barriers to Create an Inclusive and Accessible Society for All”. This is a great thing to focus on for many different reasons.

First, there is the importance of accessible buildings for people who are disabled. Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is not such a huge issue but, there are still places that a person who uses a wheelchair cannot go into because of its lack of accessibility. I remember when I went to elementary school and because I used a wheelchair, I had to go to a school that was nowhere near where I lived. That was because it was the only school that was accessible for me to attend. This may not sound like too much of a big deal, but, when you have to travel for hours on a bus, in a seated position, it is not the most comfortable thing in the world. If there were an accessible school near my house at that time, I wouldn’t have had to make such a long trek to and from home just to go to school everyday.

Secondly, having an accessible society also allows people who are disabled to participate in everyday things such as shopping or going to see a movie in a movie theater. It is my belief that if people can go out and do things like shop for their groceries in the store, they will feel like they have done something important for themselves. This can lead to improved self-esteem. I know there are some places that deliver groceries to your home these days, and if you like to use that service, that is just fine too. I just think people should have the option of either method of shopping instead of feeling like they are stuck in their homes.

Now, a few words on inclusion. I know that this is still a work in progress, like all the other issues that disabled people face on a daily basis. To me, inclusion means in the arena of Employment as well as in Schools, just to name a couple. These environments have certainly become more disability-friendly but, I feel like they still have a few bumps in the road that need to be smoothed out. In our schools today, there are a lot more students receiving the services they need in the least restrictive environment and, more importantly, reaching their educational goals. Even though unemployment of people with disabilities is higher than other parts of the population, those who are in the workforce are successful in getting and maintaining their jobs.

All in all, I am really happy that the United Nations has brought more awareness to disability issues by observing International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I believe that the more information that is available to the public on different disability issues, the more likely myths and fears that people have about living with a disability will melt away.

What other themes could be covered in the coming years?

For more information you can go to: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1597

Thanks for reading..

Relationships and Disability

November 30, 2012 by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

I was watching “The Jeff Probst Show” this past Monday and he was talking to Deborah Ann Woll from the HBO series “True Blood”. Her boyfriend happens to be legally blind because of a rare condition called Choroideremia. What I happened to find most interesting about the interview was that they were talking about the modified dates they have been on because things like the sun are painful to her boyfriend’s eyes and can actually speed up his vision loss.

No matter what a person’s disability is, they have a right to have relationships with the opposite sex if they so choose. There might be some impact on the non-disabled person’s life but depending on the disability, this is not always the case. Also, if they love each other or really like each other it shouldn’t matter either way.

It was also interesting to me that during the interview, Deborah’s boyfriend (his name is E.J.) said that while he was trying to date people, some were bothered by his disability. Unfortunately, I know firsthand, from past experience, that some people can not handle dating someone who has a disability. In the long run, it is the person with out the disability who misses out, not the other way around.

As I was thinking about this, I can’t say that one gender is more likely to date a disabled person than the other. I just really think it depends on the person’s personality and their experiences that would make them more or less likely to be open to dating someone with a disability.

All in all, relationships can be complicated enough. People should not start out from the beginning with the attitude that things cannot work out with someone who is disabled, (or really vice versa for those who have a disability that are a little leery on dating someone who isn’t disabled.) just because they may have to do things a bit differently with that person. If they are interested in dating one another, they should just have an open mind about it and see how it works out.

Why is it that when you mention the words “dating” and “disability” in the same sentence, the topic seems so out of the ordinary to some people?

Thanks for reading..

A Little Presidential History…

November 26, 2012 by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Since we recently had a Presidential election, I was thinking about people in history that have impacted the disability world. I started to think about Franklin Delano Roosevelt. FDR was the 32nd President of the United States. He used a wheelchair, but tried to hide the fact that he had Polio from the public. My guess is that he did so because he was afraid of the reception he would get from people about his disability.

Then, I started to think about how this is not something that would probably be hidden today for a few reasons. First, I would hope that the climate toward people having a disability has changed. If there was a candidate who had a disability, he (or she) would not feel like their disability was something that needed to be hidden in order to even be seriously considered for the highest position in the country. Second, a lot of people feel like their disability limits them from achieving their goals. In my opinion, being the President of the United States is like achieving the American dream to some. If it is possible for someone with a disability to attain this goal, maybe someone else would see this as the motivation they need to achieve their own goals. Also, I feel like if we had a President with a disability now, he or she would be out in public. As a result, maybe more people would realize that having a disability is not as uncommon as they might think it is anymore. It would also be a good example, demonstrating that people who are disabled participate in everyday things just like anyone else.

FDR did many things for this country that ended up in the history books I studied when I was in school. While I do remember his disability also being mentioned, I believe that he started bringing down a tremendous barrier with out really intending to or realizing what he was doing.

What is your favorite piece of history that shows others overcoming stereotypes?

Thanks for reading..