Week 5

In this weeks lesson we were able to watch a super inspiring video about how we shouldn't let any type of "disability" deter us from living our lives to the fullest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc4HGQHgeFE&feature=youtu.be

We were also able to learn a little bit more on how to improve our interaction with those who may have hidden disabilities, development disabilities, mobile impairments and may have suffered a brain injury. I was super impressed with how many hidden disabilities there are, hidden disabilities consist of things like; migraines, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, kidney issues and the list continues on. These are usually disabilities that we may not be able to physically see but can definitely have an impact on how one lives their lives. Some of the ways we can better or relationships and conversations with those in this position include:

• Provide an environment conducive to self-disclosure.
• Once a person has identified himself or herself as having a disability, a confidential discussion can follow regarding the need for, and nature of, accommodations required.
• Ask questions that will help you provide appropriate accommodations.

Developmental Disabilities include things such as brain injury, autism, cerebral palsy, ect some positive ways to improve our interactions with those who maybe dealing with a developmental disability include:

• Interact with the person with a developmental disability as a person first.
• Avoid talking about a person with a developmental disability when that person is present.
• Break down concepts into small, easy-to-understand components.
• If necessary, involve an advocate when communicating with a person with a developmental disability.

Next we learned about Mobility Impairments, this could consist of amputation, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, polio, spina bifida, and spinal cord injuries. Some positive ways to interact with individuals who may have mobility impairments consist of:

• If a person appears to have little grasping ability, do not be afraid to shake hands.
• Do not hold on to a person’s wheelchair. It is a part of the person’s body space and touching it or leaning on it are both inappropriate and dangerous.
• Talk directly to a person using a wheelchair, not to an attendant or third party.
• During a conversation with a person using a wheelchair, consider sitting down in order to share eye level.
• Avoid inappropriate terms such as “cripple,” “confined to a wheelchair,” “bed-ridden,” “wheelchair-bound,” “deformed,” and “suffering from a disability.” Instead, use terms such as “person with a physical disability” or “person who uses a wheelchair.”
• Invite people with disabilities to serve on program boards and planning committees.
• Create an access policy to demonstrate your commitment to comply with the ADA and to include people with disabilities.
• Implement changes, if necessary, to make your pro¬grams and facilities accessible and compliant with the ADA.

The last thing we read about this week was Acquired Brain Injuries and these were the positive ways to interact with individuals who have experienced that type of trauma;

• Repeat important information about the purpose, duration and guidelines for a workshop, class, or meeting.
• Keep the environment distraction-free.
• Be aware that impulsiveness, irritability, or egocentric behavior are possible from a person with an acquired brain injury.
• Accentuate positive gains using frequent praise.

My extra thing I found for my toolbox this week I actually took from a post on our Team Huddle discussion board. It is a talk from President Uchtdorf titled, "Forget Me Not". In it it discusses the importance of remembering and recognizing our role as well as other peoples role as a daughter of God. In regards to this lesson I was able to take it a step further and reflect upon the Lords love for all of his sons and daughters. One of the "forget me nots" he states is to be patient. I think that being patient ties in with this concept as well. We need to be patient with ourselves when learning to work with other people and we need to be patient with others as well.