This World We Live In...

Hey Bloggers! 

I want to challenge you all to think for a second. Think about everything you want to do; everything you would like to accomplish in your lifetime. Hopes, dreams, goals, aspirations... you name it! Got it? 

Well, just as you have these hopes, dreams, goals, aspirations, etc., so do people with disabilities. Whether the goal is to obtain a degree, get a job, or even travel, people with disabilities want to do these same things. It is a basic human right to be able to do the things in life that are meaningful to you, and that bring you joy. Every human being should be treated equally and with the same respect as the next. People with disabilities deserve to be liked, loved, and experience the feeling of people wanting to be around them. I think this is what Dr. Keisling wanted us to understand. He wanted to instill in us the same attitude, the same mindset, and the same beliefs moving forward.

As a future OT, I know I need to own my role as an advocate for those who cannot always stand up for themselves. Many people may not know about the history of disability in the U.S., and how far we have come; but I do. Part of my role is making the community aware of  not only where we have been, but what moves we plan to make. Disability acceptance is another problem area. It is important for health professionals to express that disability is a part of the normal human and community experience.

As for how today's session relates to what we learned during era presentations, it relates because the discussion was centered around the history of disability, community inclusion, and the rights that pertain to them. People with disabilities and neurodevelopment disabilities, they want jobs/employment, friends, a place to live, and fun things to do in life. They want to be deemed worthy. They want to compete on the same level. 

As we previously learned during era presentations, the Americans with Disabilities Act provides civil rights protection for those with disabilities. It was one of the most important, if not the most important, disability rights legislation passed in American history. Government programs, public accommodations, and commercial facilities are to make "reasonable modifications" to ensure access and not discriminate against people with disabilities.   


We have come so far in our journey, yet we still must continue to move forward. No one should be treated inferiorly because they are different. It is our basic human right to express our uniqueness and individuality; and people with disabilities should have this same right as well.

Much love,
natural OT

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