The History of Disabilities

After hearing Dr. Kiesling speak, I feel as if I have a better understanding of the history of disabilities. It is so important to review history to understand why things happened in the past to be able to better our future. People used to be viewed as criminals, and now we see that disabilities are become a way of culture. It was hard for me to hear how awful people with disabilities were treated before society realized that it was okay to not be "normal". At the institution in Pennhurst, PA, people were institutionalized for significant developmental disabilities and minor disabilities. The list for minor disabilities included things like diminished sight or hearing, imperfect speech, and imperfect gait. If history did not change for the better, I would be included in the minor disabilities list. I've had glaucoma since I was born and I personally do not feel disabled. I have very little vision in my right eye. I don't feel that way because I have not known anything different since I was born. Most people don't know that I can only see out of one eye unless I tell them. By the rules of the Pennhurst, PA institution, it would have be acceptable for me to be institutionalized. It is important to understand the history of disabilities so we can know how to keep improving society's view on disabilities. 

It is amazing to me to see how far society has come to accept people with disabilities and to provide inclusion. The Individuals with Disabilities Education act is a great example of how far society has come. This act states that children with disabilities are not to be excluded from public schools because of their disability. The school districts are required to provide service to meet their individual needs. As a future occupational therapist, I believe inclusion is a vital role in helping people with disabilities. They want to feel like any other person without a disability feels. They want to be "normal" and function independently in their daily living. I was very impressed with the life of Ed Roberts. Ed Roberts contracted polio as an eleven year old child. Once he had polio he became paralyzed and the school he went to did not want him to go to school anymore. Luckily, he had someone in his corner to fight for him and Ed was able to continue to receive schooling through phone call taught lessons. His mother wanted even more for him so she fought for his right to go back to school and he eventually did. Once Ed graduated from high school, he went to a community college and earned his associates degree. Ed wanted more for his life so he tried to get a job at the vocational rehabilitation center but they turned him down. He wanted to go to Berkley college and eventually made that dream happen. Ed is such an inspiration because he never gave up even when life tried to knock him down. I hope to be able to encourage clients to never give up on their goal no matter how much society tells them that they cannot do it. Dr. Kiesling really opened up my eyes to the history of disabilities and how it continues to change today.