Tag: disabilities

Breast Cancer Awareness Month and its Importance for People with Disabilities

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

October marks breast cancer awareness month. This is the month that was chosen to highlight the importance of getting routine mammograms and raise awareness about breast cancer.

Due to the pandemic, there has been a drop in going to get preventative screenings completed. This can have serious implications for your health and possible long-term prognosis.   For both women with and without a disability, it’s equally important to stay current with mammogram screenings. Mammograms are used by doctors to find early signs of breast cancer. It’s very important to get a mammogram on a regular basis. The first experience of getting a mammogram may seem scary to some but once you have gone through the process, you may see it as an empowering step you have taken to care of yourself.

For people with disabilities, there are many concerns we need to be able to discuss openly with our health professionals. Some of these topics, such as breast cancer screenings may seem uncomfortable or taboo to talk about but need to be addressed. Make sure you have a healthcare provider you feel comfortable talking to about sensitive issues. They are there to help you take the best care possible of yourself.  Make sure you are open with them about your medical history. If you don’t feel like you can openly discuss your medical issues, it may be time to find a new provider.

Preventative screenings are one way for all women to be proactive when it comes to health. Doctors will tell you to complete self-checks even before it’s time for your mammogram. Self-checks may be difficult to do if you have a disability but, it’s important to do the best you can to complete them. It’s also important for you to take note of any new moles or markings you may notice in between appointments and screenings They may just be your body changing as you age but, it’s always important to be familiar with things and get a doctor to look at them just to be sure it’s nothing potentially dangerous to your health.

When you make an appointment, you can let the person taking your information know you will need assistance during the exam. Be sure to follow the pre appointment instructions you are given to be prepared properly on the day of the appointment. Once at the appointment, you can let the technician know how they can best assist you so they can get an accurate test done.

When your primary care doctor receives the results, they will notify you of their preferred method they use to communicate the results to their patients. Some doctors will require you to make an appointment for an office visit to talk with you about the results. Because of the pandemic, some doctors may convey the results to you through a telehealth visit.

Mammograms are one of the easiest things you can do to help take care of yourself. Finding breast cancer early helps you have a higher chance of winning the battle against this terrible disease. Don’t be afraid about asking for help during your mammogram or talking to your doctor about questions you might have when going to get a mammogram.

Speaking up to get the preventative care you need has many benefits. You can help the doctors become more informed on the health needs of people with disabilities. It will also help you advocate for the care you need. The effort you make now can help save your life.

DISCLAIMER TO READER: The content of this post is for informational or educational purposes only, and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not a doctor or mental health professional. My blog is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on my site.

Varying Communication Options Necessary Now More than Ever Due to the Pandemic

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

During any sort of emergency, it’s important for people with various speech and hearing limitations to have the ability to communicate and receive information effectively.

Communication is important to get ideas and information across to people. Most people don’t give the simple act of communicating a second thought. People with hearing and other communication  disabilities must have the information conveyed to them in a way they can understand while being able to communicate their needs as well. Effective communication is extremely important in these instances.

Simply put, effective communication means whatever is written or spoken must be as clear and understandable to people with disabilities as it is for people who do not have a disability. For people with hearing disabilities, utilizing the services of an Oral interpreter or an American Sign Language interpreter are excellent examples that help facilitate effective communication.

Oral interpreters use silent lip movements to repeat spoken words. American Sign Language is visual in nature. Sign language is not a universal language. Just like there are many different languages spoken around the world, each country has its own sign language. It’s also important to know that American Sign Language (ASL) is not the same as English. For example, it may not be effective communication to use note taking with an individual who is deaf in place of American Sign Language. The best way to avoid any guesswork or miscommunication is to ask the person what type of communication works best for them. It’s important to remember that the individual is the expert on their disability. They know what is best for their particular situation.

An ongoing theme I stress in many of my writings is the availability and use of assistive technology. Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment software program or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities. Assistive technology takes many forms. Most recently, there has been an increase in the use of 911 to text messaging. This not only helps someone who can’t speak due to a dangerous situation, but also someone unable to communicate due to a speech disability or other impairment that hinders communication.

AAC devices can also be another option for communication. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices help people with communication disorders express themselves. These devices can range from a simple picture board to a computer program that synthesizes speech from text.

In a news story recently broadcasted, the work of sign language interpreters was highlighted. It showed how they bridge the gap of communication to help deliver important information. The impact their work makes on people’s lives, quite often behind the scenes, is crucial to allow access for all.

It was good to see the sign language interpreter out in front because it showed that not only were government officials doing their due diligence to ensure everyone has access to needed information, but was a visible acknowledgement of an ongoing effort for increased inclusion in the community. During a time of so much political divide and uncertainty in our country, it felt like a way our community was somehow being unified. The fact that the local news station invested the time and effort in putting the story together also demonstrated a shift toward further inclusion of people with disabilities in society.

The availability of accurate information is always important for everyone. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have other communication disabilities are a population that must receive communication and be able to express ideas in alternate formats accessible to them. Sign language interpreters and other varying modes of communication are an integral part of that equation. They provide a gateway that wouldn’t otherwise be available but continues to be extremely needed.

Thoughts about a Passenger with an Invisible Disability

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

An invisible disability can be a very perplexing, and maybe even an uncomfortable topic for some people. For most people, when they think of the term “disability”, what comes to mind may be someone with a visible disability, in other words, an impediment they can see.  There are still some people that don’t realize there are disabilities that are invisible, or can’t be seen with the naked eye alone.  An invisible disability is exactly that, invisible. At the same time, just because someone has an invisible disability, doesn’t mean they aren’t in need of assistance accomplishing their goals.  Also, just because it isn’t clear that someone has a disability, doesn’t mean they aren’t in fact disabled.  Recently, I was made aware of a story about an airline passenger who has an invisible disability that had an incident trying to utilize an accommodation that was available to her.  Due to the nature of this story, it’s important to point out that the person with the disability knows what kind of assistance they need, and should be heard when they let people know how someone else can help them.  After all, the person with the disability lives with their disability everyday, and knows best how things affect them in their surroundings.  They also know how to get things done in the best way for them.

When we travel, we prearrange accommodations over the phone with our airline.  We don’t expect to have any issues once we get to the airport.  Vacations are a time to rest and relax from our daily lives and the stress that comes along with it.  It’s unfortunate that this incident occurred and, according to the passenger’s prior experiences mentioned in the article below, sadly this isn’t the first time it has happened. The fact that this incident happened is a reminder that continued efforts of increasing disability awareness need to be focused on by a variety of industries that have constant interaction with the public.

A blanket category of disability doesn’t exist.  This incident is an example of how a person’s situation doesn’t “fit” into what some people “think” disability is, or should be.  As a result, the passenger had to experience difficulties that weren’t necessary.  While more visible “cues” would probably make some people more easily able to cope with the situation, or situations similar to this, it’s currently not the case.  Additionally, given the advances in medical science and technology, it seems like the term “disability” may continue not to “fit” what people think it is, or should be.  That’s not a bad thing for the person or society.  After all, various advances in many fields have made positive impacts in the ability of people with disabilities to work, and have even improved their quality of life.  These are just a few examples of the positive things that have happened due to different innovations in society.

Unfortunately, until we all work together to feel more comfortable about the term “disability” and those it affects, in conjunction with not being afraid to be more inquisitive about the subject, it seems this will continually be a cycle that has no end.  More education and sensitivity training for workers in different industries would be a great starting point to break the ice for many people.  As a community, we are increasingly active with everyone else that lives, works, and plays in society.  These experiences, while certainly unfortunate, should be used for all as a tool for learning and growth.

Thanks for reading..

cr

 

Here’s the link to the article:

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/disabled-woman-stansted-airport-refuse-help-ryanair-nathalie-allport-grantham-a8138051.html

Instacart Review

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Modern conveniences exist everywhere you turn in today’s world.  Grocery shopping is now no longer any different.  Instacart is the service where you can order groceries and other items from a selection of stores online.  Once you’ve submitted your order the items are delivered right to your door the same day.  It’s been a while since I posted about the service, however I hadn’t used it at the time.  Recently, I decided to use the service to see what it was all about.  I’m very pleased to say that my experience was very good.  Although I still plan to go out to purchase my groceries, I wanted to talk about my overall experience.  Not only can a person with a disability use this service but, it’s also extremely handy for people in a pinch to shop for their groceries.  Let’s be honest, who hasn’t had the occasional unexpected visitor suddenly appear at their front door? Instacart is a way your food problems can be solved with a click of your computer’s mouse.

Upon signing up for the service, there’s a two-week trial period to try it out to see if it’s going to work for you.  After signing up one of the tricks no one tells you about is to follow the specific sales that are posted at the online store and not necessarily the ones in your local supermarket circular, even if you’re shopping at that supermarket’s online presence through Instacart.  The idea is that Instacart is its own company.  Although your items do come from the store you choose, some of the prices are different.  There’s also a service fee that’s charged when you pay for the items in your shopping cart that can be waived.

It’s just like shopping online but has its perks. Once I’ve chosen my items, I pay for my purchase and can then choose the time I want my groceries to be delivered to me.  The cool thing is once a shopper has been assigned your order, you get a text message to let you know they have started to shop.  Also, if there’s an item you’ve picked that’s out of stock, you’ll get a text message telling you what’s going on and letting you know if there’s a substitution for the item.  My Instacart shopper has also texted me to make sure the substitution is acceptable.  When the shopper is at the checkout, you’ll also receive text message to give you a status on your order.  Finally, you’ll get an estimated time of arrival for your groceries.  The shopper arrives within the window of time stated and has been friendly and helpful with my items.

At the end of the day, this service has many benefits for many people, including people with disabilities.  Although there’s a membership fee for the service charged after the trial period, the overall benefits and cost savings that might come from its use for your situation might sway you to find a way to include it in your budget.

It’s no secret that technology and its advances have changed the way we interact with different aspects of society.  Being able to buy groceries online and have them brought to your door the same day is just another example of this.  It solves a problem and enhances people’s independence. Not only is this now another convenience we can all experience in everyday life but, more importantly and I believe unknowingly to its creators, addresses a population’s needs that had previously not been thought of in the past for various reasons.  Yet another layer of empowerment has been made available that everyone can experience just by sitting in front of their computers.

To watch the YouTube video that goes along with this post click here.