Thoughts about disabilities

In grade school, history was never my strong suit of interest, however, I have grown to realize the importance of it. History lays the groundwork or foundation for what is to come. I mean you have to start somewhere right? Well, learning about the history of disabilities and how individuals were viewed to the world was definitely hard to hear, and even a daunting task when the pictures came into play. Society, including practicing physicians, recommended giving a child up to the state's care because someone with disabilities was considered a burden. When I say disabilities, we are talking about the whole spectrum from simple ticks or down syndrome to more serious physical or  developmental disabilities that would deem someone wheel chair bound along with many other scenarios. It was as if society was afraid of someone who had developmental disabilities because they linked it to criminality. Just like any problem, there has to be a solution.

So, back from the 1800's up until the later 1900's, institutions for people with disabilities was the solution. Wrong or right, this was what society thought to be a good idea, and if done ethically and compassionately it was not the worst idea. Because of the outnumbered ratios of residents and nurses, ethics and compassion was long gone. When maltreatment and abuse came into play from these institutions, and the public became aware, mothers took action. More and more mothers decided that the state was not the best idea anymore, and took a stand. When Kennedy became president in the 60's, things began to change because of the family history he had with one of his sisters who had developmental disabilities. Legislatures were signed and passed, and the societal mentality of disabilities was then transformed from an institutional solution to a community based solution. Instead of hiding these individuals in the dark, they were brought to light and into the world where they belong to be more cared for properly and treated as human beings. People who used to be rejected from organizations are now the administrators and directors. Kids who were denied education are now apart of the school system, giving them a sense of belonging and normalization and independence.


 It is important that we, as a caring and more open minded society, encourage and motivate those who may need a little extra push. It is our duty as professionals to acknowledge and make people like parents aware of certain legislation and organizations set forth to help their children instead of writing off their future abilities so soon out of fear the world will not make accommodations. We have and we still are. We have come a long way, but still have a long way to go. Because the world's attitude has changed, better solutions have come into play. The question I leave on this post is what improvements can we make to further the needs of individuals with disabilities?