"Lola" is referred to as "Grandma" in the Filipino language. I am writing this blog to express my love for my Grandmother who has a mental and physical disability. Another blog I had just read really inspired me to write a blog about my loved one, my Grandmother.
My Lola immigrated to Canada just to take care of me because my parents were busy working to support a family of 5 children. My lola came to Canada when I was still a toddler. She would cook my favourite food, she washed my clothing, she cleaned my toys off the floor, she took care of everything I needed. My Lola was the absolute best friend a child could ever have. Although my Lola was physically disabled with her arthritis causing strong pains to her knees, giving her a hard time to walk, she still managed to play hide and seek with me, and even struggle to walk down the basement stairs just to listen to me play piano. She was a very caring woman who knew everything about me. My Lola would always be the one to wake up at 5:00 in the morning just to cook my favourite breakfast, prepare my favourite lunch, and wake me up in the morning to get ready for school. All this and more... But unfortunately, something bad happened to her.
My Lola started to forget things all the time. She would put spoons and forks in the fridge, and sometimes even something so silly as a newspaper or a bar of soap too. We believed that this was normal for someone to develop that in her age. But, it got worse. She started forgetting how to cook. She cooked dinner for our whole family, but we noticed that the taste was off from how it should be, and she was putting other things into our meals by accident. She constantly even forgot to turn the stove off, which now, became a huge safety hazard. My parents prevented her from cooking now. Once my parents and I moved out of our house and into a new house, she stayed at the old house with my Aunt. Now, she really forgot who we were.
When I would visit my Lola she would look at me clueless, and didn't know who I was, and would constantly ask me who I am. One time, I found her on ground because she fell off the bed from trying to get up to use the bathroom, forgetting that she is physically disabled and cannot walk. She then started calling my house phone constantly, speaking in her language and forgetting that she can speak English. She would call during the late night, thinking she was still a young woman in the 1920's looking for her mother, who had passed away when my Lola was around 20 years old. My Lola was diagnosed with severe Arthritis where she no longer can walk, and severe Alzheimer's where she no longer remembers anything. My mother was so sad to see her the way she is, so she flew my Lola back to the Philippines to be where she wanted to be. From what I am hearing, my Lola is having a great time there, and if we are lucky, sometimes she will remember us, and remember where she used to live, and miss us back too.
Although, this is a sad blog to read about my loving Lola who went through a tough immigration to come to Canada and take care of me, and who is mentally and physically disabled, I must accept the fact that she is older now, and that it is now my turn to care for her. She will always be the same Lola that I always known her as, the greatest loving Grandmother and best friend in the world who did absolutely everything to raise me and make me happy.
- Angelene
Physical Disabilities
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
I am an Immigrant in Canada. A Whole New World... Less than equal.
Does the government really support allowing immigrants with physical disabilities into Canada? This article argues that "Canada has failed to take seriously its commitment to integrate disabilities issues into its foreign policy agenda in recent years because of how it understands both disability and Canadian foreign policy" (D. Steinstra 1999. pg. 346). After reading this article, I had some thoughts, is Canada here allowing easy access to people with physical disabilities or are they cutting off these people from immigrating to Canada? "Canadian foreign policy is unable to address disability effectively" (D. Streinstra 1999. pg. 346).
Is the Canadian government discriminating people with physical disabilities? What are they trying to show to these people with physical disabilities that are trying to immigrate here? In my opinion, I think they are mostly just allowing access to other people who are "able" to live and work here, which might be true. The system is often unfair. "Disability is largely isolated in the human rights area of foreign policy" (D. Streinstra 1999. pg. 347).
Immigrants with physical disabilities that come to Canada are often discriminated against and much prejudice goes on while newly living here from a foreign Country as well. This article goes into depth about how there is prejudice against immigrants with physical disabilities and why this is happening. It also explains why most immigrants with physical disabilities are anti-social. Ultimately, most of the time other people treat these new immigrants with little respect, which does explain in many ways why immigrants with physical disabilities are very anti-social and afraid.
I have a cousin who is physically disabled that has immigrated here from the Philippines and his parents have told me many stories of their child being discriminated against and how they were having a hard time coping with this situation. Immigrants have a hard time entering Canada to begin with, and want to live in this Country for a better life, usually wanting to leave their old hard life. I know this because my family immigrated to Canada from the Philippines as well. Although I was born in Canada, they still do not hesitate to tell me constantly how hard it was for them living in a Philippines, which is full of poverty and danger, and how my parents wanted the best for their children. It took them years to immigrate to Canada. Finally having the opportunity to move to this Country, my dad was very much discriminated by employers that made him feel like just because he was an immigrant, he could be taken advantage of. So this kind of prejudice and discrimination can take place with many other immigrants.
Immigrants with physical disabilities, are having a hard time immigrating to Canada, and having a more difficult time with prejudice going on in this Country, such as my cousin who had a difficult time living in this new Country. Although there is necessarily no way to stop prejudice, I would still like to say that these immigrants with physical disabilities should be easily welcomed into this Country, because after all, they have left their old lifestyles to create a better one.
- Angelene S.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Justin H. Park, Jason Faulkner, and Mark Schaller: Evolved Disease-Avoidance Processes and Contemporary Anti-Social Behaviour: Prejudice Attitudes and Avoidance of People with Physical Disabilities
http://www.springerlink.com.proxy2.lib.umanitoba.ca/content/l147k15h81282134/
Deborah Steinstra: Less than Equal (1999): Disability and Canadian Foreign Policy
http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&lr=&id=e7gxEQd1DE0C&oi=fnd&pg=PA346&dq=immigrants+and+refugees+with+physical+disabilities+canada&ots=1fibGJffNJ&sig=Ssw5NL_PiNsoc2TtqPqDdEhbXAk#v=onepage&q&f=false
Is the Canadian government discriminating people with physical disabilities? What are they trying to show to these people with physical disabilities that are trying to immigrate here? In my opinion, I think they are mostly just allowing access to other people who are "able" to live and work here, which might be true. The system is often unfair. "Disability is largely isolated in the human rights area of foreign policy" (D. Streinstra 1999. pg. 347).
Immigrants with physical disabilities that come to Canada are often discriminated against and much prejudice goes on while newly living here from a foreign Country as well. This article goes into depth about how there is prejudice against immigrants with physical disabilities and why this is happening. It also explains why most immigrants with physical disabilities are anti-social. Ultimately, most of the time other people treat these new immigrants with little respect, which does explain in many ways why immigrants with physical disabilities are very anti-social and afraid.
I have a cousin who is physically disabled that has immigrated here from the Philippines and his parents have told me many stories of their child being discriminated against and how they were having a hard time coping with this situation. Immigrants have a hard time entering Canada to begin with, and want to live in this Country for a better life, usually wanting to leave their old hard life. I know this because my family immigrated to Canada from the Philippines as well. Although I was born in Canada, they still do not hesitate to tell me constantly how hard it was for them living in a Philippines, which is full of poverty and danger, and how my parents wanted the best for their children. It took them years to immigrate to Canada. Finally having the opportunity to move to this Country, my dad was very much discriminated by employers that made him feel like just because he was an immigrant, he could be taken advantage of. So this kind of prejudice and discrimination can take place with many other immigrants.
Immigrants with physical disabilities, are having a hard time immigrating to Canada, and having a more difficult time with prejudice going on in this Country, such as my cousin who had a difficult time living in this new Country. Although there is necessarily no way to stop prejudice, I would still like to say that these immigrants with physical disabilities should be easily welcomed into this Country, because after all, they have left their old lifestyles to create a better one.
- Angelene S.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Justin H. Park, Jason Faulkner, and Mark Schaller: Evolved Disease-Avoidance Processes and Contemporary Anti-Social Behaviour: Prejudice Attitudes and Avoidance of People with Physical Disabilities
http://www.springerlink.com.proxy2.lib.umanitoba.ca/content/l147k15h81282134/
Deborah Steinstra: Less than Equal (1999): Disability and Canadian Foreign Policy
http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&lr=&id=e7gxEQd1DE0C&oi=fnd&pg=PA346&dq=immigrants+and+refugees+with+physical+disabilities+canada&ots=1fibGJffNJ&sig=Ssw5NL_PiNsoc2TtqPqDdEhbXAk#v=onepage&q&f=false
How much is TOO much?
We all have grandparents who love us and care for us in our life. At most times, some people have grandparents that they have never met due to being long distance or have passed away early. But, I am sure that we have all been told and have been raised to learn that we must all treat the elderly with respect, because without them, where would we be? After all, they are the ones who have started our generation, so we must give respect back. In this article it describes how elders with physical disabilities are mistreated and how they are often abused and neglected by their loved ones and the workers in their nursing homes.
"Family situations were not the only places where abuse and neglect of the elderly were discovered; nursing homes and other long-term care establishments were identified as places where frail, elderly people were vulnerable to mistreatment" (R.M. Gordon & D. Brill pg. 203, Vladeck 1980). This is really heartbreaking to read about. These are people who brought us into the world, and started a great generation. Just reading that these elders are constantly being mistreated in their nursing homes, most likely the last place they will ever be at confuses me. They already have a physical disability and I just do not understand how these workers who are getting paid to assist the elders for an enjoyable remaining years are taking their freedom away from them, let alone, these elders own family members are neglecting them. It mentions that "abuse was caused by caregiver stress" (R.M. Gordon & D. Brill pg. 205, Steinmetz 1977; 1978; 1981). I am curious to know if these caregivers were even given the proper education to care for elders with physical disabilities. Reading this article mentions how caregivers are put under a lot of stress and anxiety dealing with the responsibility of caring for an elder with physical disabilities and "the notion of physical and emotional abuse in particular were a consequence of overworked and under appreciated family caregivers". First of all, they should not of been in this type of work environment if they are put into that much stress, that they must abuse these elders in any way. I do understand that these workers and family members are put under a lot of stress such as caring for someone who is not capable of caring for them self, and making many sacrifices to do so, but it is a matter of sacrificing many things to continue to provide the elders with physical disabilities with the proper care and love to make their remaining years memorable and enjoyable.
"4% of elders in Canadian private dwellings (approximately 98,000 people) reported being abused. Financial abuse was the most common type of reported abuse, affecting 60,000 Canadian elders. 12,000 seniors in Canada experienced physical abuse" (Victims of Violence Canada - Elder Abuse 2008. Prevalence of Elder Abuse). The common abuse in elders with physical disabilities is sky rocketing. Abusing an elder in any way is just as worse as abusing a new born baby, they are vulnerable and a weak target to get at and take advantage of, especially since these elders are physically disabled, they have no control. One of the most important things here is that the elders receive a great amount of money from the government which they have deserved, and financial abuse is the most common type of abuse in elders. Family members and others who have access to their accounts are taking this away from them unknowingly.
So how much is too much? How can we stop this mistreatment? These elders with physical disabilities should definitely not be treated the way they are. I would really like to know how any one can treat elders with disrespect and take advantage of what they have and how weak they are. These people are great leaders that have grown old, and now they need us to make their remaining years a great and memorable one.
- Angelene S.
VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE 2008 - ELDER ABUSE
http://www.victimsofviolence.on.ca/rev2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=343&Itemid=33
ROBERT M. GORDON & DEBORAH BRILL 2001: THE ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF THE ELDERLY
http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&lr=&id=smU2BFA5e_UC&oi=fnd&pg=PA203&dq=elders+with+physical+disabilities+canada&ots=GkbE2MHLQP&sig=hqORhgL8s1QisA7zbPW_lkEI-wU#v=onepage&q&f=false
"Family situations were not the only places where abuse and neglect of the elderly were discovered; nursing homes and other long-term care establishments were identified as places where frail, elderly people were vulnerable to mistreatment" (R.M. Gordon & D. Brill pg. 203, Vladeck 1980). This is really heartbreaking to read about. These are people who brought us into the world, and started a great generation. Just reading that these elders are constantly being mistreated in their nursing homes, most likely the last place they will ever be at confuses me. They already have a physical disability and I just do not understand how these workers who are getting paid to assist the elders for an enjoyable remaining years are taking their freedom away from them, let alone, these elders own family members are neglecting them. It mentions that "abuse was caused by caregiver stress" (R.M. Gordon & D. Brill pg. 205, Steinmetz 1977; 1978; 1981). I am curious to know if these caregivers were even given the proper education to care for elders with physical disabilities. Reading this article mentions how caregivers are put under a lot of stress and anxiety dealing with the responsibility of caring for an elder with physical disabilities and "the notion of physical and emotional abuse in particular were a consequence of overworked and under appreciated family caregivers". First of all, they should not of been in this type of work environment if they are put into that much stress, that they must abuse these elders in any way. I do understand that these workers and family members are put under a lot of stress such as caring for someone who is not capable of caring for them self, and making many sacrifices to do so, but it is a matter of sacrificing many things to continue to provide the elders with physical disabilities with the proper care and love to make their remaining years memorable and enjoyable.
"4% of elders in Canadian private dwellings (approximately 98,000 people) reported being abused. Financial abuse was the most common type of reported abuse, affecting 60,000 Canadian elders. 12,000 seniors in Canada experienced physical abuse" (Victims of Violence Canada - Elder Abuse 2008. Prevalence of Elder Abuse). The common abuse in elders with physical disabilities is sky rocketing. Abusing an elder in any way is just as worse as abusing a new born baby, they are vulnerable and a weak target to get at and take advantage of, especially since these elders are physically disabled, they have no control. One of the most important things here is that the elders receive a great amount of money from the government which they have deserved, and financial abuse is the most common type of abuse in elders. Family members and others who have access to their accounts are taking this away from them unknowingly.
So how much is too much? How can we stop this mistreatment? These elders with physical disabilities should definitely not be treated the way they are. I would really like to know how any one can treat elders with disrespect and take advantage of what they have and how weak they are. These people are great leaders that have grown old, and now they need us to make their remaining years a great and memorable one.
- Angelene S.
VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE 2008 - ELDER ABUSE
http://www.victimsofviolence.on.ca/rev2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=343&Itemid=33
ROBERT M. GORDON & DEBORAH BRILL 2001: THE ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF THE ELDERLY
http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&lr=&id=smU2BFA5e_UC&oi=fnd&pg=PA203&dq=elders+with+physical+disabilities+canada&ots=GkbE2MHLQP&sig=hqORhgL8s1QisA7zbPW_lkEI-wU#v=onepage&q&f=false
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
No Arms No Legs No Worries
* This video is very encouraging and inspirational. I thought that I should share it.
- Kristal
How Are They Treated?
What struck me as interesting was an article that stated that moderately consuming alcohol helps in reducing risks for older adults in terms of developing a physical disability. Even research was done which proved that older adults who drank alcohol moderately were better in active performances when it came to daily activities such as walking. However, the “twist” is that the older adults already had to have relatively good health to allow alcohol to work positively.
This information was attention-grabbing due to the fact that (and I was being naïve) I never really pictured older adults (age 60+) consuming alcohol. I suddenly realized I am in the wrong because I was stereotyping seniors as human beings who always need to be dependent on younger adults and who have trouble performing tasks due to their age. I forgot that we all are “social animals” (Mullaly 2007, p. 123) in this world and seniors do not just “do nothing” in their house.
People seem to treat seniors and people with physical disabilities similarly because of the fact that based on appearances; we think that they are always dependent on someone else. For example on the bus, when we sit in the very front it’s a norm that we should get out of our seat when a senior or a person with a physical disability comes on, or when a senior or persons with physical disability crosses a busy street we have that uneasy feeling that they need us for assistance. Whenever a visible obstacle is seen we simply jump to conclusions. A professor once said that we seem to treat older adults as if they were children. A common stereotype is that seniors are incapable of performing some tasks adequately. Believing that is inappropriate because of the fact that it belittles them and their capabilities. Having a physical disability or being of a certain older age is difficult because they are being limited and knowing that you are limited causes oppression; emotionally and socially. Someday we will be seniors and we too will face stereotypes and stigmas.
- Kristal
Mullaly, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3rd ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press Canada.
Peregrin, T. (2009). Drinking May Aid Senior's Mobility. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Vol. 109(4). Retrieved from <http://www.sciencedirect.com.proxy2.lib.umanitoba.ca/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B758G-4VXMFT2-6-1&_cdi=12926&_user=1068138&_pii=S0002822309002569&_origin=search&_coverDate=04%2F30%2F2009&_sk=998909995&view=c&wchp=dGLbVlz-zSkWA&md5=0cac4133ec2e6428a4233b41fc7d42b0&ie=/sdarticle.pdf>
Karlamangla, A. (2008). Light to Moderate Alcohol Consumption and Disability: Variable Benefits by Health Status. American Journal of Epidemiology, Vol. 169(1). Retrieved from <http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/169/1/96.full.pdf+html>
Shewchuk, R., & Rivera, P. (2004). Using Cognitive Mapping to Understand Problems Experienced by Family Caregivers of Persons With Severe Physical Disabilities. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, Vol. 11(3). Retrieved from <http://www.springerlink.com.proxy1.lib.umanitoba.ca/content/q37t875270826623/fulltext.pdf>
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