Living with a Disability
GEN300
January 11, 2006
Living with a Disability
Living in today’s society with the diverse cultures and world controversy is a challenge in itself, but imagine living each day unable to carry out normal daily functions without a challenge. I chose to this topic because of my own personal ignorance. Three years ago the word disability would have been just another word. I would not have given another thought to seeing someone in a wheelchair, a walker or even one with a mental disability. Yes, I had compassion, but without the realization of what obstacles those with a disability truly face, that too is just another word. This topic has a personal interest for me because working for the Paralyzed Veterans of America has truly changed my thinking and quality of life, as I see those with these challenges on a day-to-day basis.
What is a disability? “An individual with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities” (www.eeoc.gov/types/ada) 12/27/06. The figures on the total amount of disabled people in the world are vast; according to the World Health organization there are approximately an estimated 600 million people (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disability) 12/31/06. “In the United States alone, Americans with disabilities constitute the third-largest minority (after persons of Hispanic origin and African Americans); all three of those minority groups number in the 30-some millions in America” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disability) 12/31/06.
Those with a disability face many challenges throughout their lives. These challenges include but are not limited to: everyday functions, transportation, and accessibility.
The simple things for an able bodied person are not so simple for one with a disability. Take for example, a person in a wheelchair, as the multitude of disabilities are so diverse, that to try to touch points on each of these disabilities would be unfeasible.
January 11, 2006
Living with a Disability
Living in today’s society with the diverse cultures and world controversy is a challenge in itself, but imagine living each day unable to carry out normal daily functions without a challenge. I chose to this topic because of my own personal ignorance. Three years ago the word disability would have been just another word. I would not have given another thought to seeing someone in a wheelchair, a walker or even one with a mental disability. Yes, I had compassion, but without the realization of what obstacles those with a disability truly face, that too is just another word. This topic has a personal interest for me because working for the Paralyzed Veterans of America has truly changed my thinking and quality of life, as I see those with these challenges on a day-to-day basis.
What is a disability? “An individual with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities” (www.eeoc.gov/types/ada) 12/27/06. The figures on the total amount of disabled people in the world are vast; according to the World Health organization there are approximately an estimated 600 million people (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disability) 12/31/06. “In the United States alone, Americans with disabilities constitute the third-largest minority (after persons of Hispanic origin and African Americans); all three of those minority groups number in the 30-some millions in America” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disability) 12/31/06.
Those with a disability face many challenges throughout their lives. These challenges include but are not limited to: everyday functions, transportation, and accessibility.
The simple things for an able bodied person are not so simple for one with a disability. Take for example, a person in a wheelchair, as the multitude of disabilities are so diverse, that to try to touch points on each of these disabilities would be unfeasible.
References: Maddox, S. (2006). Paralysis Resource Guide. New Jersey: Christopher Reeve Foundation. The Americans with Disability Act (12/20/06) Retrieved from (http://www.eeoc.gov/ada) on 12/20/06. Wikipedia® Disability (12/31/2006) Retrieved from (http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wik/disability) on 12/31/06.