Post #9 Reflection (Week 4)

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Today marks four weeks since starting the RM 207 Disability and Inclusion class, and so far, it is going well, and I am learning a lot to further my knowledge in the field of disabilities. I have worked with Chrusalis in Calgary, Alberta, and have done my disability studies with them to acquire certification to work with those with complex medical needs and various disabilities. Working in this area was very rewarding for me and the clients I had a chance to work with. 

Unfortunately, back in 2011, I had to resign and focus on my daughter, who had to have a surgery to save her life with a multi-organ transplant (double lung and heart transplant. Due to being on life support, it has affected her ability to function in certain areas as she suffered a bleed and hematoma in her head due to life support (ECMO), resulting in having disabilities that need help from not only me, but also others to make sure she lives the best life possible. I miss working with Chrusaylis, and it was my favourite career choice. So in this post, I will show you what I have learned so far this week, with some added material that I have found on my own. 


Blindness and Visual Impairments: 

  • Approx. 10 million visual impairments.
  • 1.3 million legally blind
  • WHO estimates 161 million people are living with disabling visual impairments.
  • 37 million are blind.
  • 124 million have low vision.
  • ICEVI estimates that 6 million children are blind/low vision, and estimates that 10% of them have access to education.
Low Vision: Severe visual impairment. Those who cannot read at a normal vision distance, even with glasses/contacts. 

Two videos that show you what it's like to see with certain visual impairments. 



Positive Interactions: 
  • To help guide the person, let them hold on to your arm nd guide them.
  • Speak directly to the person.
  • Do not pet or play with their service dog.
  • When leaving a room, let them know.
  • Introduce them to everyone individually.
  • Remove items that can cause slips, trips, or falls. 

Deafness and Hearing Impairments: 

  • Some can be born deaf or acquire it in childhood/adulthood.
  • It can be caused by noise, viral infections, genetics, tumours, and strokes.
  • It can affect 1 out of 5 people.
  • NOH foundation 2 million are completely deaf. 


Further understanding of hearing loss: 

Learning Disabilities:

  • It can manifest in speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, and/or mathematical ability.
  • Trouble completing tasks.
  • Capable of completing easy tasks.
  • Need different strategies to succeed. 
Mental Illness: 

  • It can affect anyone.
  • It can be triggered by a certain event or trauma. 
  • Only 1 in 5 will seek support or help. 
  • Suicide is the third leading cause of death between the ages of 15 and 24. 
ADD/ADHD: 

  • Persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. 
  • Generally diagnosed before age 7.
  • CDC estimates that 4.4 million children aged 4-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD. 


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