My Experience With A Disability

777 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Socialization of the handicapped

For the fourth section of my portfolio, I decided to wear socks over my hands for three hours, to simulate a disability. Of all of the selections I chose to put in my portfolio, I found this particular one to be the hardest. I decided to wear the socks over my hands from 6pm-9pm because, I did not expect to be very active that night. Surprisingly, there was so many things that I was unable to do while having the socks on my hands. My activities of daily living (ADLs) and my instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) were severely effected. The first task that I tried to complete involved watching television. While I thought this would be easy to do with out use of my hands, I was wrong. I never realized how important hands are in order …show more content…

From this experience I learned a number of things, such as that having a disability can be more frustrating for someone, than one may think. It was very easily for me to become frustrated that I was unable to complete my ADLs and IADLs in a short three hour time span. Many people with severe disabilities have to experience this for all of their lives. I was uncomfortable knowing that I was a burden on my family. I also learned that just because someone has a disability, it does not mean that they cannot find ways to complete tasks normally. This section of my portfolio relates to the course because, throughout the semester, we have learned how important ADLs and IADLs are in a clients life. Having difficulty completing these ADLs and IADLs, can also affect other occupations such as social participation. If someone is unable to complete a task such as brushing their hair, than they often feel less comfortable going out in public and interacting with others, who do not have the disability that they do. As an occupational therapist, I will make sure to come up with various interventions for a person with a

Show More
Related

  • Riding The Bus With My Sister Analysis

    577 Words  | 2 Pages

    The experience changed her life, she learned to rethink her own attitude and self determination. I learned that people with mental retardation are not to be separated from society or even treated with less respect because of their disability. “Riding the Bus with My Sister” taught me to never neglect people with mental disabilities. Readers learned that people with mental retardation, just like everyone else, have families, desires, and determination. They cry, they laugh, they have emotions just like the rest of us. We can learn new things from those suffering from mental retardation. ‘Riding the Bus with My Sister” taught me that civil rights apply to

    Read More

  • Improved Occupational Therapy for Adults with Learning Disabilities

    2912 Words  | 6 Pages

    Creek (2009) states that a healthy person is able to perform their daily occupations effectively and is capable of responding accordingly to any changes in their activities. For adults with a learning disability it can be incredibly challenging to carry out their ADLs effectively or ev...

    Read More

  • Disability Case Study

    2331 Words  | 5 Pages

    Eloise, a supervisor at the Federal Administration Agency (FAA), was faced with trying to ensure productivity when one of her workers became ill, and was not maintaining her level of work. Brenda, who had been a computer programmer for the Management Information Systems Support Division of the FAA for nine years, was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of 1991. She left work immediately to have an operation and to start treatments. Brenda was supposed to return to work after the medical procedure so Eloise reached out to her in February. Brenda stated that she did not feel up to it, that she would continue to use her sick leave and would return in March. Seeing that Brenda would not be back in the near future, Eloise asked the other workers in the office to “pitch in” and help pick up the slack in work due to her absence. To entice one employee to pitch in, she upgraded his work status from a GS7 to a GS9 (which is what Brenda’s status was) until Brenda returned. In March, Brenda could not return to work on her scheduled date and had her medical leave extended until she became better accustomed to the chemotherapy treatments.

    Read More

  • Nancy Mairs, Andre Dubus, Harriet McBryde Johnson: Disability

    1916 Words  | 4 Pages

    What comes into one’s mind when they are asked to consider physical disabilities? Pity and embarrassment, or hope and encouragement? Perhaps a mix between the two contrasting emotions? The average, able-bodied person must have a different perspective than a handicapped person, on the quality of life of a physically disabled person. Nancy Mairs, Andre Dubus, and Harriet McBryde Johnson are three authors who shared their experiences as physically handicapped adults. Although the three authors wrote different pieces, all three essays demonstrate the frustrations, struggles, contemplations, and triumphs from a disabled person’s point of view and are aimed at a reader with no physical disability.

    Read More

  • Disabilities Act

    8299 Words  | 17 Pages

    Barriers to employment, transportation, public accommodations, public services, and telecommunications have imposed staggering economic and social costs on American society and have undermined our well-intentioned efforts to educate, rehabilitate, and employ individuals with disabilities. By breaking down these barriers, the Americans with Disabilities Act will enable society to benefit from the skills and talents of individuals with disabilities, will allow us all to gain from their increased purchasing power and ability to use it, and will lead to fuller, more productive lives for all Americans.

    Read More

  • Mask Film Analysis

    700 Words  | 2 Pages

    The people with disabilities are portrayed as hardworking. They have people surrounding them that are accepting and encourage them to do their best. The support helps them build up courage to overcome their disability. It can take years, but the effort will not be

    Read More

  • disability

    912 Words  | 2 Pages

    In 1972, Geraldo Rivera with the help of Dr. Michael Wilkin of Staten Island's Willowbrook State School gained access to the institution and filmed the deplorable conditions the residents were living in. Now 25 years later the documentary reflects on four survivors of Staten Island's Willowbrook State School and their families. The family members give testimonials on how it felt to discover that their child had a disability, leave their loved ones in an institution, and the quality of care and services provided. The film also focuses on the progress made by the members that now live in group homes and the quality of their lives.

    Read More

  • Medical and Social Models of Disability

    1847 Words  | 4 Pages

    It could be said that in modern industrial society, Disability is still widely regarded as tragic individual failing, in which its “victims” require care, sympathy and medical diagnosis. Whilst medical science has served to improve and enhance the quality of life for many it could be argued that it has also led to further segregation and separation of many individuals. This could be caused by its insistence on labelling one as “sick”, “abnormal” or “mental”. Consequently, what this act of labelling and diagnosing has done, is enforce the societal view that a disability is an abnormality that requires treatment and that any of its “victims” should do what is required to be able to function in society as an able bodied individual.

    Read More

  • Reflection Essay: Living Life With Disabilities

    783 Words  | 2 Pages

    Through this experience, I was able to not only gain a deeper appreciation for my abilities, but I was able to gain a much deeper respect for those with disabilities. And while I thought that I already had a high level of respect for those with disabilities, my level of respect for those with disabilities has drastically increased. As I attempted to complete the full 2 days of limitation and failed only making it a few hours into my second day, I quickly began worrying about my grade. However, I then began to think of how selfish my thoughts were, as this experience provided me glimpse into the realities of millions that I otherwise would never have. As I continued with this train of thought, I also began to think about those who deal with much more severe disabilities than I could ever imagine having, that do not give up. In not finishing the two full days, I felt weak. However, this feeling of weakness opened my eyes and allowed me to process my feelings on a deeper level, as I began to think of what my true strengths are as a person. As I write this paper reflecting on the experience and how silly I felt throughout the day and a half without the use of my hand, I can say that I truly appreciate this experience and the awkward feelings, as they have presented me with a new perception that will forever use to view

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Kevin Michael Connolly's 'Double Take'

    1268 Words  | 3 Pages

    I was always the person to shy away from a disabled person because I didn’t know how to handle it. I always thought if I avoided them I wouldn’t have to face the truth, which is I was very uncomfortable with disabled people. However, since our discussions in class, reading the book, and going to the event my views on the disabled have changed drastically since then. I learned that people with disabilities can do the same things, if not more, that a person without disabilities can do. I realized that I need to treat people with disabilities just like any other person, like an equal. People shouldn’t be ostracized for something that they cannot control. Everyone should treat disabled individuals with respect, dignity, and concern. This is why from now on I will not shy away from a disabled person I will welcome them with open arms because they are no different than

    Read More

  • Personal Narrative: My Disability

    762 Words  | 2 Pages

    In middle school I was diagnosed with a disability with the way I expressed myself through writing. Ever since, I have gained multiple values and learned several lessons about self confidence. I was taught to push past my limits, in order to be successful in reaching my goals along with my dreams. Today I am a senior in high school who was once thought to struggle, but was able to succeed beyond expectations. To some, a disability may seem like a setback from achieving goals, but to me I used it as a challenge for myself. I accepted myself for who I was and looked at my disability as a unique trait of mine. I was able to provide a message to others that anything you set your mind to is possible with dedication and hard work. It might take

    Read More

  • Living with a Disability

    570 Words  | 2 Pages

    On many occasions teachers have asked, "Is the volume high enough for you?" while my class watches a television documentary. Many teachers in middle school imposed strict rules about where in the classroom I could sit. I've had coaches ask if I know sign language. And during my elementary years, the school insisted I meet with a learning specialist once a week to discuss my "feelings" about being hearing-impaired. All these restrictions were placed on me despite the fact that I was an above-average student and an aggressive athlete.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Becoming an Integrated Health Professional (IHP)

    1481 Words  | 3 Pages

    French, S. & Swain, J. 2008. Understanding Disability: A Guide for Health Professionals. Philadelphia: Churchilll Livingstone Elsevier: 4

    Read More

  • Disability Reflection Paper

    933 Words  | 2 Pages

    I have always grown up in a more ‘normal’ setting and seeing people with disabilities was something that was rare to me. When I was younger, my thoughts on people with disabilities were that they could only be physically seen, nothing else (mentally, intellectually, etc.). As I reached middle school, I realized how broad the world is and how many ways people were affected by disabilities. Some of them led a more normal life and some have a harder time adjusting. Just seeing and reading how so many are affected and how harder it is for them really opened up my mind and allowed me to have a wider perception of how broad things are in the world.

    Read More

  • Special Education Reflection

    1322 Words  | 3 Pages

    This course not only gave me the knowledge I needed to understand students with learning disabilities, I was also able to empathize with these students through active participation in the sensitivity activities. Participating ...

    Read More

More about My Experience With A Disability

Open Document