Module 11 - Disability, Disadvantage, Vulnerability & Stigma

Chopra, R. [photographer]. (2014) Cjild with a physical disability in a special education facility in Ndola [digital photograph]. Retrieved from:https://www.hrw.org/report/2014/07/15/we-are-also-dying-aids/barriers-hiv-services-and-treatment-persons-disabilities

See me, not my disability. People with disabilities are often overlooked, patronised, shamed or pitied, and often seen as a burden on society instead of the wonderful individuals they are (Basas, 2014). A disability can be classified as having any physical, mental (Deschênes, Burns & Schmitz, 2015), malfunction or malformation of the body and can be listed as mild to grossly disabled (Krahn, 2014). Many people with disabilities are productive contributing members of the community, with active thoughts, feelings and human rights. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (DSS, 2012) was introduced to protect, promote and facilitate people with disabilities and guarantee their fundamental right to meet their full potential and have the ability to have the same quality and standards of living as other citizens (Venville, Sawyer, Long, Edwards & Hair, 2015). Many still face challenges and disadvantages in activities of daily life with stigmatisation, judgement, ignorance,  discrimination, generalisation, vulnerability and exclusion impacting their physical, psychological and social health on a day to day basis (Peers, Spencer-Cavaliere, & Eales, 2014).  

Four interviews were accessed and carried a consensus theme of the personal aspects of living with a disability, with each contributing individual unique challenges (Corr McEvoy, & Keenan, 2014). Leanne is a huge advocate and advisory of people with disabilities, with lived experiences as a mother of a son who has Cerebral Palsy, and experiencing a huge gap in support groups and assistance for families, foundered the Sunshine Butterflies disability support group. Leanne's biggest criticism is the lack of patience and communication given to disabled people and their carers (Harding & Cockerill, 2015). She perceives it is fear and personal discomfort that diminishes the ability to give appropriate respect to the individual, and only seeing the disability, not the person living with the disability. She also addresses the limited infrastructure catered to people with disabilities, as a huge hurdle when taking her son out in the community.

Trudy lives with the stigma of mental health challenges, and discusses fear as the biggest barrier to overcome stigma when accessing the needed recovery support. She stresses that mental health challenges are not just symptoms to be treated, but to look deeper and see the individual's experiences. Addressing our feelings, personal beliefs, cultural values, assumptions and own fear of mental health will assist in identifying with the client on a more personal level. Being mindful of the language used, and the meanings behind it will also help in lowering the discrimination of mental health stigma, encourage social change and promote support-seeking behaviour.

Kay is a registered nurse who experiences judgement on her sexual orientation, and feels ostracised and vulnerable when she is not seen as a person, but only as a lesbian (Bostwick, Boyd, Hughes, West & McCabe, 2014). She addresses the importance to the awareness of the personal difficulties that many gay, lesbian, bi and trans-sexual people face, and showing respect and forethought on addressing healthcare needs (Doyle & Molix, 2014). Kay also stated that many ladies with lesbian tendencies avoid pap smears due to an aversion of penetration, thus placing them in higher risk of health complications (Douglas, Deacon & Mooney-Somers, 2015).

Another Kay was interviewed on her personal lived experiences with a physical disability. Kay suffered a  mechanical injury which left her restricted to a wheelchair. She expressed the declined freedom and choices she now had, loss of control over her body (Maher, Crettenden, Evans, Thiessen, Toohey Watson & Dollman, 2015), and advised open communication and respect as main contributors to personal dignity and self-worth. People with disabilities need to feel respected and valued as a person, and acknowledged to be capable despite physical restrictions to empower them to face the challenges that impact on their daily life (Saunders & Nedelec, 2014).

Self Reflection: Today I take with me the realisation of individual challenges and barriers people with disabilities may face on a day to day basis. It teaches me an understanding on how my behaviours impact their pride, dignity and feelings of self-worth. I will endeavour never to presume what cares they need, but to communicate to the person with warmth, respect and empathy, and not see them for their disability.

References

Basas, C. G. (2014). What's Bad about Wellness? What the Disability Rights Perspective Offers about the Limitations of Wellness. Journal Of Health Politics, Policy & Law, 39(5), 1035-1066.

Bostwick, W. B., Boyd, C. J., Hughes, T. L., West, B. T., & McCabe, S. E. (2014). Discrimination and mental health among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the United States. American Journal Of Orthopsychiatry, 84(1), 35-45. doi:10.1037/h0098851

Corr McEvoy, S., & Keenan, E. (2014). Attitudes towards People with Disabilities - what do people with intellectual disabilities have to say?. British Journal Of Learning Disabilities, 42(3), 221-227. doi:10.1111/bld.12032

Deschênes, S. S., Burns, R. J., & Schmitz, N. (2015). Associations between depression, chronic physical health conditions, and disability in a community sample: A focus on the persistence of depression. Journal Of Affective Disorders, 1796-13. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2015.03.020

Douglas, C., Deacon, R., & Mooney-Somers, J. (2015). Pap smear rates among Australian community-attached lesbian and bisexual women: some good news but disparities persist. Sexual Health (14485028), 12(3), 249. doi:10.1071/SH14210

Doyle, D. M., & Molix, L. (2014). Perceived discrimination and well-being in gay men: the protective role of behavioural identification. Psychology & Sexuality, 5(2), 117-130. doi:10.1080/19419899.2011.653689

DSS. (2012). National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 Report to COAG 2012. Australian Government. Retrieved from https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disability-andcarers/program-services/government-international/national-disability-strategy-2010-2020- report-to-coag-2012

Harding, C., & Cockerill, H. (2015). Managing eating and drinking difficulties (dysphagia) with children who have learning disabilities: What is effective?. Clinical Child Psychology And Psychiatry, 20(3), 395-405. doi:10.1177/1359104513516650

Krahn, G. H. (2014). Health Disparities of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: What Do We Know? What Do We Do?. Journal Of Applied Research In Intellectual Disabilities, 27(5), 431-446.

Maher, C., Crettenden, A., Evans, K., Thiessen, M., Toohey, M., Watson, A., & Dollman, J. (2015). Fatigue is a major issue for children and adolescents with physical disabilities. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 57(8), 742-747. doi:10.1111/dmcn.12736

Peers, D., Spencer-Cavaliere, N., & Eales, L. (2014). Say What You Mean: Rethinking Disability Language in Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 31(3), 265-282.

Saunders, S., & Nedelec, B. (2014). What Work Means to People with Work Disability: A Scoping Review. Journal Of Occupational Rehabilitation, 24(1), 100-110.

Venville, A., Sawyer, A., Long, M., Edwards, N., & Hair, S. (2015). Supporting People with an Intellectual Disability and Mental Health Problems: A Scoping Review of What They Say about Service Provision. Journal Of Mental Health Research In Intellectual Disabilities, 8(3-4), 186-212.