History of Disabilities - A Reflection
All my life, I have seen family members and friends live with various disabilities. I, too, have been challenged with injuries and diagnoses that have made me adapt and change in order to live a functional life. However, I have never given much thought to how different my concept of disability is compared to that of someone in my same shoes just one decade ago-- until hearing from Dr. Keisling, Ph.D. Disability can be viewed in various ways. Someone recovering from a torn ACL is likely to view their disability as transient, or simply a phase. A girl facing a diagnosis of autism, however, may see her diagnosis as an intrinsic part of her identity. Moreover, a young boy diagnosed with Down Syndrome may feel that his diagnosis is not a disability at all, but an innate difference or strength. The history and concept of disability is ever-evolving. Before Tuesday's lesson, I was aware of the model of institutionalism that once confined those with disabilities, but I had no idea that...