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 (3^rd 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>

 

Who is caring for the caregivers?

Mullaly states that, “social democrats believe that the role of the state is to promote the collective good and play a positive role in the economy” (Mullaly 2007, p. 121). Social democrats do play a positive role because of many actions that they take such as a launching of a bill mentioned in this article. This bill is beneficial and is another step closer to improving society. An improvement will be made because of the extension of the caregiver tax credit to the spouses of persons with the disability. Although the bill only applies to the spouse of persons with disability, it still helps substantially because it will aid to financially secure a large percentage of families. Having read so many articles regarding people with a physical disability, I’ve come to be reminded again that it does not just immensely affect the person with the physical disability but their family and friends as well. Not to disregard the feelings of people with a physical disability, but sometimes people tend to forget the impact this certain situation has on the family because so much emphasis is put on what the individual feels. It’s important to care for persons with a disability but who cares for the caregiver?

Family members who are the caregivers of a person with a disability are left with a huge responsibility due to the fact that being a caregiver is time consuming and they must develop or improve skills. According to this text we should be “more focused on helping caregivers develop skills and strategies” (Shewchuk 2004, p. 9) to adequately meet the needs of persons with a physical disability. The repercussions of being a family member caregiver are different from a hired caregiver because of the emotional tie or attachment to the persons with a disability. In my opinion having an emotional tie in this type of situation compromises a persons’ ability to make decisions on what might be best because their emotions can cloud their better judgment or because of such an emotional tie, the wisdom to make the right decision is reinforced. Individuals who become the caregiver for family members “compromise their own health” (Shewchuk 2004, p. 1) emotionally and physically. So the fact that the NDP cares for the caregivers is an exciting news, because it will not only help the caregivers, but it will help the ones they’re caring for.

- Kristal 

Mullaly, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3^rd ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press Canada.

 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>

NDP Press Release. (13 April 2010). Wasylycia-Leis launches bill to extend caregiver tax credit to spouses of persons with disabilities. Retrieved from <http://biac-aclc.ca/en/2010/04/13/wasylycia-leis-launches-bill-to-extend-caregiver-tax-credit-to-spouses-of-persons-with-disabilities/>

Difficulties of People With Disabilities - Mental or Physical

According to this article, the percentage of people with disabilities that are employed either part-time or full-time is a measly 29%, whereas the number of people without disabilities who are either employed part or full-time is 79%. In a span of 7 years, 11, 500 complaints filed resulted in allegations of discrimination against people with disabilities when hiring. "...people with disabilities need to be aware of the image that they portray to potential employers. Not only must they have the necessary qualifications and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job, but they also must be knowledgeable about how best to manage the disability stereotypes that employers hold, to obtain employment." (Dalgin & Bellini, 2008) The fact that people with disabilities must deal with stereotypes and discrimination is very upsetting. It is hard enough for an able-bodied person to get a job, never mind a person with a disability. 

"...persons with physical disabilities are viewed more favorably than persons with psychiatric disabilities." (Dalgin & Bellini, 2008) Reading this, I kind of wonder why it is that people with mental disabilities are less eligible for a job opportunity than those with a physical disability. "Mental disorders account for approximately 12% of all diseases and injuries worldwide." (Lauber & Bowen, 2010) If this means that at least 12% of the people in this world are never going to be employed, and are going to be constantly discriminated against, we have a huge problem. This 12% doesn't account for all of the people who are discriminated against due to physical disabilities, race, religion, color of skin, etc. This 12% is a tiny number compared to the total number of people in the world that are discriminated against.

"[Depression] can include psychological distress, poor self-esteem, poor self-management (e.g. not adhering to prescribed medication), fear of returning to work, disturbed relations with colleagues and superiors, and possible job loss." (Lauber & Bowen, 2010) This helps me to understand why many people with mental disabilities find it difficult to find and keep a job. At the same time, employers should be more patient and understanding toward people who may need to be hospitalized, may need to take extra time off, or may need to take an extra 5 minute break. Although employers need to be more understanding toward people with any type of disability, I can understand it may be a problem if the employees without disabilities claim this "special treatment" as unfair, and complain or go to the labor board. All in all, this is a very difficult situation for employers, as well as people with disabilities - but at the same time it must be dealt with.

- Amanda P.

Citations:

Dalgin, R., & Bellini, J. (2008). Invisible Disability Disclosure in an Employment Interview: Impact on Employers' Hiring Decisions and Views of Employability. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 52(1), 6-15. Retrieved from http://rcb.sagepub.com.proxy2.lib.umanitoba.ca/content/52/1/6.full.pdf+html

Lauber, C., & Bowen, J. (2010). Low mood and employment: When affective disorders are intertwined with the workplace - A UK perspective. International Review of Psychiatry 22(2) , 173-182. Retrieved from http://informahealthcare.com.proxy2.lib.umanitoba.ca/doi/pdf/10.3109/09540261003716405

Liberals and the fight to end poverty

As mentioned in Mullaly, "Liberalism comes from the Latin word 'liber', meaning free" (Mullaly 2007, pg. 4). Liberalism believes in freedom and equal opportunity for every individual, this including people with physical disabilities. Liberalism "comprises a set of beliefs based on the assumption that there should be as much individual freedom as possible in any civilized society while allowing for essential constraints (Roberts, 1971)" (Mullaly 2007, pg. 91). This just goes to show that Liberals want to help the society for the better, and make lives easier. This is definitely a great advantage for the people with disabilities. I believe they need the fight for the right and respect that they deserve in order to get their voices out to the people who have discriminated and stereotyped them. People with disabilities have the same rights as any other individual and are no different that any other.


In this article it explains that liberals are addressing poverty and disability by providing a "refundable disability tax credit for low income Canadians", "In Canada disability often means a life of poverty and that living in poverty often leads to a greater incidence of disability" (CCD, Disability in Canada Means Living In Poverty, Sept. 15, 2008). This just goes to show that the Liberals are here to help the people with disabilities and try to make a change in order to end the suffering of more disability and poverty within people with disabilities. Liberals "redistribute income and some goods and services through the tax system and/or social welfare system" (Mullaly 2007, pg. 96). This article is a great example that shows the liberal perspective on how they would help the people with disabilities and mentions that "welfare must be replaced with a much better program" (CCD, Disability in Canada Means Living In Poverty, Sept. 15, 2008). After reading this article about poverty in people with disabilities, it explains to me more about what the Liberals are really aiming for and how their perspective for assistance is most encouraged. People with physical disabilities should not go through poverty alone, and should not suffer from this. They are already suffering from their disability and it is sad to hear that "Canadians with disabilities look forward to reaching age 65 because income support for seniors is better" (CCD, Disability in Canada Means Living In Poverty, Sept. 15, 2008). 


People with physical disabilities need all the support they can get, but reading that they are in poverty makes it worse. Liberals are there to take action "providing these individuals with financial resources, independence, and self-respect (Milk 1980)" (Holbrook and Percy, pg. 202). People with physical disabilities deserve the right live a normal life and "have equal access to the goods, services and wealth of this country" (CCD, Disability in Canada Means Living in Poverty, Sept. 15, 2008). I am happy to hear that Liberals believe in equality for all individuals, "protecting and enhancing our natural rights", and especially "reducing the worst excesses of capitalism by regulation of the economy and by developing a welfare state" (Mullaly 2007, pg. 97).


- Angelene S.


REFERENCES:


Mullaly, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3^rd ed.). Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press Canada


CCD online:
http://www.ccdonline.ca/en/socialpolicy/elections/2008/091508


Thomas M. Holbrook and Stephen L. Percy. Exploring Variations In Laws Providing Protections For Persons With Disabilities.
http://www.jstor.org.proxy1.lib.umanitoba.ca/stable/448771?seq=1