Living with Physical disability - Essay Example

Your full July 26, Physical Disability Physical disability is defined as an “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last or has lasted for a continuous period of not less than 12 months” (The Free Dictionary). A person who is physically disabled is not able to live a normal life like others around him and this adds to his frustration and hopelessness. It is a tragedy of our society that disabled persons have to suffer from discrimination everywhere and have to undergo harsh experiences when others make them go through the “rough and sometimes inadvertently hurtful process of recognizing what is wrong” with them (Hoagland, qtd.

in McQuade and Atwan 138). This paper intends to discuss that physically disabled people are unable to perform their life activities in a normal way. I remember how my uncle had to go through hard time to get employment because he was handicapped. When he applied in a company for job, he did not get employment because they only employed fit persons. I still remember how much stress and depression he was in during those days since he was lagging behind in life because of something he could not help.

After the government of America passed the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), he took a sigh of relief because then he could get a job on the basis of handicapped persons’ seat. One of the major responsibilities of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is to make accommodations for disabled employees, under the title I of the Act. ADA makes sure that the disabled employees do not have to face discrimination by their seniors or co-workers when they are at the workplace.

The emphasis is on the elimination of discrimination which may arise in “recruitment, hiring, promotions, training, pay, social activities, and other privileges of employment” (U.S. Department of Justice). Till now, my uncle is getting all privileges that facilitate him in his performance at the workplace. Family support is crucial. If the members of the family will not give emotional and physical support to the disabled person, he will get socially isolated and this will add to his depression, loneliness and negativism.

Family must assist him in getting all possible treatments so that he may have a chance to lead a normal life and perform his life activities in normal way. If treatment is not possible, still emotional and moral support is must. In short, physically disabled persons are the ones who are in need of our love, care and support all the time. We have no right to make them feel inferior or deprived on the basis of something that God has imparted onto them. They cannot help themselves and depend on us for support.

We, as a society, should adopt such an attitude that makes them feel equal to others around him. They are our responsibility and we will be answerable to God about these deprived persons. Works CitedMcQuade, Donald, and Robert Atwan. “Hoagland: Stuttering.” The Writer’s Presence: A Pool of Readings (6th edn.). USA: Bedford/St. Martins, 2009. The Free Dictionary. Disability. Farlex Inc., 2011. Web. 26 July 2011. .U.S. Department of Justice. A Guide to Disability Rights Laws. Civil Rights Division, 2006. Web. 26 July 2011.