Family Life Goes On: Disability In Contemporary Families

Disability is one of the most important issues in society because of the many fallacies that have been conjured up by people who have not been exposed to individuals with certain disabilities. This stigma has been incorporated into the notion that people with disabilities are “useless”. People with disabilities do not need to have a physical problem, many have a certain mental state that is not parallel to a fully cognitive person. These disabilities range from extreme physical handicaps to mental issues to a depressive state of mind. All of these fall under the umbrella of the term “disability”. Such biases and prejudices contributed to the discrimination of people with disabilities, but that has been eradicated by the many laws or acts that

Physical disability culture should be considered as a culture itself along with race, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality. Disability culture, includes behaviors, beliefs, and ways of living, that are unique to persons affected by disability. Here in the United States, non-disabled individuals typically view disability culture as primarily social and political in nature, whereas academic communities view disability culture from predominantly historical perspectives (Peters, 2014). In some countries, people with disabilities are still segregated and lack access to education. In the United States, many individuals with disabilities battle discrimination in terms of employment, housing, education, and access to public buildings and services. As do individuals from many other cultures, persons with disabilities share a common bond of experiences and resilience (Darrow, 2013).

society seems to be that disabled people cannot be effective parents. Disability-lawyer Carrie Ann Lucas shared her experiences with USA Today (2012), witnessing “parents with paralysis be threatened with removal of their children, deaf parents punished for using sign language with their hearing children, and blind parents told that a social worker can’t possibly fathom how they could parent a newborn.” Lucas adds that “when families do need intervention, it is often because the services they need are not available outside a punitive social services case.” It is important to note the unfair standards of independence that disabled parents face in the U.S. Research shows that these parents can often prove themselves competent with some support services, but child welfare systems and the general public may question that aid, as they may be seen as a lack of the self-sufficiency valued in U.S. culture. Utilizing multiple systems of support can lead to improved parenting and family cohesion, and so should be viewed as a benefit instead of a deficiency in an individual’s capacity to provide parental care. In fact, according to the 2012 NCD report, disabled parents whose abilities in this area are questioned often confront inappropriate or unfair assessments (Smith,

Throughout history both in the past and present many individuals who are living or who lived with a disability have been viewed as a burden to society. According to The Dimensions of a Disability Oppression (2010) by L.J Charlton several aspects are intertwined with disability oppression which is beliefs, politics and economics. Policy and the world system have a lot to do with how people see another person especially an individual with a disability because thanks to poverty and powerlessness are viewed as daily experiences in the life of someone living with a disability. In our society when it comes to differences we either ignore it and if we feel that it’s not dominant enough we start to think its subordinate compared to us. We are taught

Over the year’s perceptions and attitudes towards people with disabilities have varied from community to community. Approximately 50 million Americans with disabilities today lead independent, confident, and happy lives. There have been many advancements in healthcare and thus, most disabled individuals live within their community rather than an institution. For many centuries people with disabilities have been battling harmful stereotypes, ridiculous assumptions, and fear that they do not fit in.

It is a unique share experience for all families and can have an effect on all aspects of the family functioning. The negative effects that they will encounter is the financial burden, physical and emotional demands and the significant complexities associated with raising a disabled person. The main serious barrier that families suffer from is the financial burden, associated with getting health, education, and social services; buying or renting equipment and devices; making accommodations to the home; transportation; and medications and special food. On the positive side it can broaden horizons, increase family members' awareness of their inner strength, enhance family cohesion, and encourage connections to community groups or religious institutions. (Medscape,

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.

152). Individuals with disabilities can make their injustices known to the general public by identifying the program of change, increasing the identity of their standing in the needs of their changes, and the standing of necessary changes in public policy on their deserved rights as citizens (Tilly & Wood, 2013). When the social movement of disability rights is established in a “political setting, modeling, communication, and collaboration facilitate the adoption and other connected settings” (Tilly & Wood, 2013, p. 153-154). The far-reaching impact of making social movements in the disability rights of individuals who are affected with in America is more pronounced within the political scene and when it becomes more of a national process of disability acceptance within the laws of America. Individuals are affected by disabilities can only be strengthened by knowing that collaboration between other individuals with disabilities, and the changes they need to succeed in life can be justified to the social movement

When you think of the term disability do you get uncomfortable? Do you shy away from people with physical or mental disabilities? Sadly, this is the opinion that a majority of people in society has; however, I completely disagree. To me, everyone has disabilities, whether that is a severe disorder or not varies from person to person. Disabilities can occur from several different events, including: birth defects, car accidents, battles, etc. The term disability gives the connotation that a person is unable to do something based on their intellectual or physical state of being, but to me it means so much more. We all have things that we are not as good at as others, or things that we struggle with, so to categorize people because of the things they can and cannot do is completely ignorant.

In the article, “My Grandchild has a Disability: Impact on Grand Parenting Identity, Roles, and Relationships,” by Woodbridge, Buys, and Miller seek to address the experience of a disability from a grandparent’s perspective. The role that these grandparents’ take it is very valuable. Grandparents as well as the parents have to adjust their expectations and interactions.

Imagine living your life from a disabled person's perspective. Since I was four years old, I have lived with disabilities. My sister was diagnosed with cerebral palsy two months after she was born. After that, I was practically raised in the hospital because my sister had to be there so often. I have grown up surrounded by disabilities, and I have seen the effects first hand. Growing up with a disability is the worst thing a child has to do, but Gillette Children’s Hospital does all they can to make these kids’ lives better.

This review will focus on a pathway from diagnosis of disability to the lived reality for families and couples. Namkung, Song, Greenberg, Mailick, & Floyd, (2015) explain that “[g]enerally, the responsibility for providing or coordinating their support and care rests with their parents, who thus have a lifelong parenting role. There is a great deal of heterogeneity in family adaptation to a child with developmental disabilities” (p. 514). Children who have diagnosis of disabilities have on-going impacts for families (Willingham-Storr, 2014; Kisler, 2014; Scott, 2010). The diagnosis will inevitably alter or even direct the families’ lifestyle and quite likely will have direct impact of future goals (Horridge, & Wolff, 2014; Kisler, 2014; Scott,

There is surprisingly little known about the ripple effects child disability causes on the family. Population-based research, particularly on demographic or economic outcomes is scarce. Existing studies indicate that having an infant with a serious health condition or health risk increases the likelihood that parents’ divorce or live apart, that the mother cannot work outside the home, and the mother relies on public assistance (Reichman, Corman, & Noonan, 2008). Another study found that parents of disabled children have lower rates of social participation than parents without a disabled child and that they are less likely to have large families (Reichman, Corman, & Noonan, 2008). There is so much more to be learned on the effects on parents,

Women in today’s society are faced with various obstacles. When a disability is included, the struggles that are dealt become more enormous. Although, there are many resources available, women with disabilities face higher poverty rates compounded with different forms of discrimination as well. Living with a disability changes the life of a person. These people are looked down upon because they are perceived to be different. Being different from “normal” people becomes an obstacle that is very difficult for people with a disability to handle. This begins as small forms of abuse and will eventually turn into larger forms. The struggles as a women without a disability are difficult already, but when other factors are added, such as a disability

Having a child with a disability can cause various hardships on a family. Families with a child with a disability can cause strains on finances, parental employment, and relationships within the family. After analyzing research done by a variety of sources the following essay should convey the findings in regard to the affects raising a child with a disability has on a family. One idea to keep in mind is disabilities have a variety of different impacts on a family, not all will impact a family the same way.