A story I written about Disabilities

Disabilities by AJ O’Hagan

Disabilities come in a variety of ways. There are developmental disabilities like autism, Down syndrome, and dyslexia. There are disabilities that are more physical like blindness, arthritis and people who are deaf. There are mental disabilities like bi-polar syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression. These are just a few of the many kinds of disabilities there are.

People with disabilities often receive special attention whether it’s socially or professionally. On the professional side, people with disabilities such as depression go see a therapist in order to vent about their problems while the therapists usually try to reveal the source of one’s problems.
People with autism often see a physical therapist, speech therapist, and occupational therapists in order for the autistic child to function at a higher level.

Corinne Hursh, the Program Specialist at the Kelberman Center, often works with autistic children. “I have learned so much working with kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder, but I think my most valuable lesson is that kids are kids; regardless of the labels put we put on them.” Hursh said. “I think my most valuable lesson is that kids are kids; regardless of the labels put we put on them. Every child simply wants the chance to be goofy and have fun, and being able to facilitate that for children with disabilities is a truly rewarding experience.”

People who do not have a disability often look down upon people who do have disabilities because of their symptoms they display. Examples are odd postures, mechanical voices, stimming, not being able to speak in complete sentences. Big examples are emotional outbursts which is common for many disabilities.
Karen Lea Prye Kuhn feels that people with disabilities are often discriminated against because normal functioning people fail to expand their horizons. “I don't think people are opened minded to ask questions about one's abilities.” Kuhn said. “They are uncomfortable about asking the wrong questions.”

Disability does not mean stupidity. On the physical side, it does not mean weak. Unfortunately people with disabilities are stereotyped as representing those two terms.

Claire Radford, a mother of a child with Autism, has always respected people with disabilities. “I never really had an issue with people with disabilities anyway. I am a Christian and believe that we are all equal in God's eyes!” Radford said. “However, what I would say is that having Joe has made us more aware of the difficulties that people with disabilities encounter in society. As a parent of a child with a disability, I have very quickly become much more aware of just how much discrimination and prejudice there is.” The moral of this story is that people with disabilities are just as human as non-disability people are and also have feelings. Said Radford, “I am more aware of just how much people like my Joe need support groups and awareness groups to help them to have their voices heard.”