The Negative Challenges that Accompanied Disability - Assignment Example

Social Work & Disability Task 1 Introduction Disability is any condition that alters the normal functioning of a person. According to the examination that was done on Mr Shanono`s, it was discovered that his way of perceiving things was different from that of a normal person. This was the main cause of his threatening and violent behaviour. Mr. Shanono’s behaviour had negative impacts to both the family and himself. For example, the family had to meet all the financial burdens for keeping him under check which eventually resulted to some sort of strain. Other challengers included stress, depression, and dealing with negative attitude developed by the carers. This report sheds light on the negative challenges that accompanied Sharapono’s disability, effect on the family, and possible interventions. Case analysis Financial challenge stands out as the greatest issues which family of disabled persons have to struggle with. The family of Mr. Shanono is an evident case. Every time his condition worsens there has to be an assessment done and prescription given as a solution to the problem, and all these costs money. Disability places extra financial demands on the family and carers as families end up spending twice or even more than what they have been spending (Lardner, 2006). For instance, Mr Shanono also has a right for education, health and other social services which are different and much more costly than services for normal persons. His family spends a lot because they have a regular care plan for him. This huge spending on persons like him is the major cause of financial strain, which is also the main cause of stress and depression. Stress and Depression is another thing that came out clearly on family members and carers. Some of the main factors that contribute to these are financial strain. As a matter of fact, Shanono’s family had to deny themselves family leisure and many more so that they may raise money for his care. It was also discovered that many ambitious people have found themselves not able to fulfil their dreams, they have either opted to change career or do away with it. This is mostly done so that they may be closer to the person with disability and thus take care of them. As a matter of fact, many caregivers find themselves depressed when other members are not ready to offer any kind of support (Lovallo, 2005). Like in the case of Mr Shanono, his violent behaviours and threatening makes it dangerous for him to be alone. Therefore someone must always be present to monitor everything he does. Statistics show that 80% of parents and carers have had burnouts because of not getting enough support from others. On the other hand, stress and depression can also occur on both the carer and the person with disability because of stigmatization (Lovallo, 2005). This happens when the affected persons find themselves in a community that discriminates persons with disability. Negative attitudes are another challenge faced by both parties, the disabled as well as to the family members and carers. Shanono’s way of thinking and behaviour seemed natural him, his negative attitude was triggered by thinking that other persons don’t understand him. Sometimes persons with disability and their caregivers withdraw from the rest of the community. This mostly happens when neighbours and people in the community react inhumanly against the challenged persons (Yuker, 1988). Some of the negative attitudes include stigmatization, avoiding physical contact with the disabled and giving negative remarks. Like in Shanono’s case, many times he may show inappropriate or immature behaviour which also contributes to peoples negative attitude towards him and his family. Though Shanono is an adult who stays with his mother, his violent behaviours and threats were caused by receiving less attention from his mother. In a family, parenting is the key that builds the character and self esteem of a person. Therefore, a disabled person in a large family develops low self esteem because of not getting enough attention from the parents. This happens because parents might not want to create more problems in the family by having favourites among their children. On the other hand, a large family demands for more resources. Shanono’s family could therefore be spending much of their time working so as to meet the family`s demand. Social exclusion is another negative practice if allowed will create more problems. This is whereby people are denied rights to social services like education, health and other opportunities like jobs. This is therefore seen as major contributor to poverty that keeps on increasing from one decade to another. Like in Shanono`s case, there should be a continuous care review that helps meet his needs and aspirations. Therefore denying him access to these services will be worsening his condition. The suffering and pain being experienced by disabled, family and carers has given a reason of having more Social workers. Social workers come in to either help restore or enhance their social life. The social worker in this case should have the knowledge of human development. They are of great importance to the community because they help people to identify their needs and challenges in life (Lindsay, 2009). The purpose of social work is to help individuals who have disability; their family members and carers re-identify personal or social problems and then come up with better solutions. Like what is done to Mr Shanono, there is a continuous care plan for him which helps to monitor his condition. Social workers also play an important role in the community by bringing social care services closer to the affected persons. They also refer people to special services for further examination and treatment, like Shanono who was detained so that an assessment might be done. This act is a relief to the family and carer because most of them did not have exposure to these services. Social work also plays an important role by proving support based on individuals decisions. This mostly involves assisting people to come up with a schedule for their care or by even supporting the main carer. Social work also comes in to help caregiver and individual families manage risk (Ford, 2007). The social worker helps in identifying and addressing a risky behaviour which could be dangerous to people. Come up with a solution to the behaviour, and also tries to study the cause of that particular behaviour. Conclusion Having known the challenges people go through because of disability, mechanisms to help them and their families should be put to place. There should be an intense creation of more special services which will cater for both individuals and their family (Lindsay, 2009). This can be done by bringing in stress management services, family financiers and more charities that fight for the rights of persons with disability. Remember disability is not inability; every challenge that comes with it can be put to control. Task 2: Written description (Approx. 800 words) (3.1) Compare and contrast the diverse service provision for individuals with a disability and their family/carer(s) Service providers offering diverse service to the disabled persons are on the rise. This is because of discrimination and social exclusions that people with disability go through. These organizations have come out with ways of helping People with disability and their families in different ways. For instance, the Citizen Advice Bureau is among well known bodies that cater for the well being of people with disability. They have therefore, come out to offer free confidential and unbiased advice to individuals with disability and their families (Lardner, 2006). Their services include; helping people settle problems like, discrimination, debts, housing and many other problems. Citizen Advice Bureau uses different means to offer their services. These include communicating through telephone or by face to face dialogue. Their approach of offering services makes them to be more efficient and available. On the other hand, Revitalize takes a different bend from the Citizen Advice Bureau by providing respite care. This is done in such a way that rejuvenates the mind of a person by giving them a holiday feel. At the same time, Revitalize uses these opportunities to inspire everyone present for respite care. All this is done because they too believe that disabled persons should have equal rights and opportunities as those without disabilities. In consideration to what carer`s and family members of the disabled persons go through, respite care should be something for them to embrace. Keen London is one charity of its kind, different from the two which we have already mentioned above. What makes Keen London different is the nature of what they offer to persons with disability, sporting and fun for children and youth at no cost. Sporting can basically be seen as physiotherapy (Lindsay, 2009). Therefore both carer`s and people with disability benefit from these, perhaps parents could have spent by taking their disabled children to a therapist. Another assured benefit to the parents is security and safety of their children; this is evident at Keen London because each disabled person is given a volunteer coach to support them and necessary instructions. IPSEA (Independent Parental Special Education Advice) is also another charity whose mandate is to help individuals with disability get the right education. Persons with disability have many times been denied quality education because of their condition. IPSEA therefore moves around in search of schools or other institutions of learning which discriminates the youth and children with disability (Rothman, 2003). They operate on such a manner that their services are provided by trained persons, of which most of them are guardians and parents of children with special needs. All these trained personnel work on voluntary term. Having looked at the four charities, we can conclude that almost every area of social life has been dealt with. Fed Centre, which is a federation for people with disability works hand in hand with local organizations. Fed Centre encourages people to have positive attitude towards disabled persons by looking more into their abilities. This is seen as a way of promoting self worth and independence for every person with disability. They make sure that the views of people with disability are heard and their services are put into consideration. We can therefore say that, all these charities though different they share a common goal by fighting for the rights of persons with disability. (4.1) analyse the psychological impact on both individuals and their family/carer(s) Many research bodies show that in recent years many people, both young and old, provide unpaid services to people with disabilities in their community. Close to 90% of these carers and family members taking care of people with disability don’t have any training in the services they are proving to persons with disability (Lovallo, 2005). As a matter of fact, both parties can be seen to be at risk, the carer attending to an individual with chronic disease or even a sick family member or caregiver attending to a person with disability. In some cases where there is need for complex services, family members and carer go through a period of strain as they try to offer these services of which they have little knowledge. The strain that most of these persons go through at times results to physical, psychological and emotional health conditions. There is also a negative psychological health effect that rises as a result of care giving. Research shows that depression, anxiety, and other health conditions are common among caregiver. Stressed and depressed family members and carer have high chances of having coexisting anxiety conditions, chronic ailments, drug and substance abuse. These may also lead to suicidal thoughts and attempts. Therefore, depression and substance abuse among family members and caregivers’ may result to harmful behaviors which is also a threat to the person with disability and the entire family. It has also been proved that caring for a chronically sick individual can cause physical, emotional and psychological related disorders. People with disability mostly have limited opportunities to earn income, while their condition calls for large medical expenses. Therefore, many people with disability end up being poor and uneducated. References (2003). Journal of social work in disability & rehabilitation. Binghamton, N.Y., Haworth Press. http://www.haworthpress.com/store/product.asp?sku=j198. ROTHMAN, J. C. (2003). Social work practice across disability. Boston, Allyn and Bacon. LARDNER, C. (2006). Paying the price: the real costs of illness and disability for CAB clients : based on the evidence of Citizens Advice Bureau clients across Scotland. Edinburgh, Citizens Advice Scotland. FORD, A., & THOMPSON, J.-R. (2007). On their own creating an independent future for your adult child with learning disabilities and ADHD : a family guide. Princeton, N.J., Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic. CANADA. (n.d.). Directory of federal services for the handicapped and disabled. [S.l.], Minister of Supply and Services Canada. LOVALLO, W. R., & LOVALLO, W. R. (2005). Stress & health biological and psychological interactions. Thousand Oaks, Calif, Sage Publications. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=474653. GREYDANUS, D. E., PATEL, D. R., & PRATT, H. D. (2008). Developmental disabilities. Philadelphia, Pa, Saunders. LINDSAY, T. (2009). Social work intervention. Exeter [England], Learning Matters. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10519216. HUBERT, J. (2000). Madness, disability, and social exclusion: the archaeology and anthropology of "difference". London, Routledge. YUKER, H. E. (1988). Attitudes toward persons with disabilities. New York, Springer Pub. Co. Read More