For several days, CNN has been running a series of stories about parenting with disabilities. The network is also soliciting “iReports” from families in which one or both parents have disabilities. Despite using non-person-first language, the reports have been for the most part interesting and insightful. In the disability community, parenting with a disability is certainly not new; for many people it’s not news-worthy, it’s just life. What are YOUR thoughts? Do stories like those on CNN promote disability, diversity, and inclusion? Or, are they unnecessarily sensational?
Visit: http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/21/parents.disabilities/index.html?hpt=C1
to read the stories and see the videos.
19 comments:
I found all of these stories to be inspiring. The pilot for My Deaf Family was especially interesting. I think it is refreshing for a reality show to showcase people with disabilities rather than rich people who sleep around a lot because it gives audiences an opportunity to learn, grow, and gain an appreciation for people who are different from themselves.
One of the greatest battles in the field of rehabilitation is society’s ignorance when it comes to disability. I found the stories very informative and can definitely see how a show like this will raise awareness, as it allows viewers to enter the world of people with disabilities and hear their direct perspectives. We can all learn from the individuals featured, for whom disability is a part of life and overcoming obstacles is just another day.
Parenting is difficult for all people, the experienced and inexperienced, the able bodies, and those with disabilities. What helps out the most is getting the advice needed from those who have been there before. This is exactly what iReports on CNN has done. It has given many a network of people they can learn from. Many of the parents with disabilities might not be able to go to their parents for advice because they might not share the same disability or abilities. I watched the story of Rose Siggins, a woman with sacral agenesis who has married and had a child. She explained how it was very difficult for her to find a joy in her pregnancy because most doctors treated her as irresponsible for getting pregnant. In the end, she found a supportive doctor and now enjoys having her son of 8 years old. In one occasion she confronted her son's friends because he was being teased for having a mother with a disability. She visited her son's baseball league and educated them on her condition and allowed then to ask questions. I thought it was great for her to share and allow others to see the reality, instead of allowing them to build on myths. That is another difficulty that parents with disabilities face, they will have to deal with their children getting ridiculed for their disability. Having a network to help and give support is a great way to learn and reduce anxiety caused by all the challenges. If anyone is interested in Rose Siggins story, visit these links. http://www.mymultiplesclerosis.co.uk/misc/rosesiggins.html
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7640039328659273361#
WOW, i really found that these stories were very uprising and informative because its about time that people with disablities were seen as who they really are and not as a sterotype. These stories can really help help people to learn and acknowledge that people with disabilities are very able to overcome many obstcles that they face, but the main one is on how ignorant people can be towards individuals with disabilities.
Nancy L.
Reading this article reminds me of the movie “I am Sam” It’s about a man with a disability and his daughter. He raises his daughter by himself because the mom left him right when they got out of the hospital. I guess she thought that the daughter was going to have a disability as well and she did not want to go through it. Well they take him to court and want to take his daughter away because they feel he can’t raise her because of his disability. It isn’t fair and I know life isn’t fair, but everyone should have a chance and try to live a normal life with their family. Just because they have a disability doesn’t not mean they can’t be happy. There are ways out there, through support groups, counseling, programs, etc. Where there is a will there is a way. It is sad to here this, but it is true.
Jennifer Valerio
I found it so amazing how attentive these individuals were in caring for their child, possibly even more attentive and caring than the average parent. It is very inspirational to see how these parents adapted a variety of methods to attend their child. I have the outmost respect for these individuals because they could of easily asked anyone for assistance in raising their children but they have chosen and not to, and that speaks a lot in and of itself.
-Sukania Mendez
I think that all these stories were great. They provided me with an insight on taking care of people with disabilites. I give the parents props for all the things that they do for thier children. I may not now exactly how it is specifically to care for PWD but I do know that it can be difficult and tireing at times. The reason I say this is cuz my grandparents had to rasie my uncle who has a mental diabilites and from talking with them they have told me that it has been hard at times, and that even thought they may have struggles at some points they are greatfull for their son. Overall, reading this was very interesting. :)
Alina Limon
I don’t have anything negative to say about parents with a disability. I actually find them to be very inspiring for the reason that parenting is a huge responsibility. I admire their hard work and dedication because I’m sure they have enough battles of their own and to add on children can be tough. I saw on this show once about a mother who had only half of her body no legs what so ever. Since she was a little girl she learned to do everything on her own. She learned how to move around on a skateboard and learned how to cook jumping on counters using her hands only. When doctors told her she shouldn’t have kids she proved them wrong. She takes her kids to soccer games and tutors her kids after school. Parents are people who chose to love their kids no matter what with a disability or not.
Tanya D.
I believe that these stories are all so compelling and bring the everyday challenges to the surface. The struggles that the parent face on a daily basis but still exhibit the courage to go on. It's interesting how it touches you even though you are not dealing with it personally. These parents are honorable and worthy of this media attention. It sheds light in an area that is not always spoken about. I truly enjoyed the stories and I am greatful to them.
Cris Gonzalez
I think the public has many misconceptions about whether people with disabilities can be good parents or can physically become parents. Through stories such as those showcased on CNN, the general public can become more educated on people with disabilities. Our best weapon against combating negative stereotyping as well as stigma placed on people with disability is awareness. CNN may not have used person first language but they seem to have acted with good intentions and hopefully many people will learn from these segments.
I also think that these stories are inspiring because it shows that people with disabilities are able to be parents in the first place being a parent is not easy. Having children is a learning experience and it’s part of life just hoping for the best for them and to help them grow up to be good people. People with disabilities pray for the same thing and work as hard to rise their children because they know they are going to be criticized from others and are afraid that their children will be taken away. Reports like form CNN helps to inform society about the challenges that they have. As rehab counselors we must understand that people with disabilities work as hard then others that don’t have a disability
The stories were informative and believe were aired to raise awareness to people. There are many people that do not understand many disabilities and spread effect usually happens from those that don’t understand or are uneducated on disabilities. There was a story where both parents had CP ant others thought they had cognitive disabilities. There are others that choose to ignore those with disabilities as a whole and bringing some of this to television should help on exposure and education. Hopefully this can take away some of the stereotypes that have been labeled to some disabilities. These stories can educate people with disabilities and learn that they are people with abilities.
James D.
I am very happy that CNN has aired these shows. These shows should take the place of all those useless reality shows. For one thing they are productive and beneficial towards the disabled community. It educates the majority of the people whose minds could use the stimulation and expansion. It goes a long way to clear up stereotypical but uneducated thoughts about the limitations of the disabled individuals. Given the opportunity disabled individuals can very productive workers. They are very often an under used workforce. I hope these shows will inspire employers to offer individuals with disabilities ample opportunities to prove themselves an excellent decision.
A. Lazo
I think it's great that the media sheds a positive light on the topic because this is not new. There are many parents with disabilities that are successfully rearing children. In today's medical field which is way more advanced technologically, there are far more options for people with disabilities to get proper modifications for them to function in day to day tasks. One major need that children have is to feel loved and have the support of loving parents, and if that is already in place, the rest can be modified.
Crystal L. Chiu
Wow, overcoming a disability is hard enough, but adding a child into the mix and the responsibilities of parenting, the challenge only becomes more difficult, yet more rewarding and self-empowering. I was very inspired by the strong will and strength of these parents with disabilities to battle through their physical deficiencies to provide love and support for their children, at any means possible. Viewing disabilities as a culture instead of a shortcoming would greatly benefit society as a whole, for people could become familiar with individuals with disabilities valuable assets as productve members of society and potential friends.
I have to agree that CNN really needs to focus more on people first language when running stories on parents with disabilities but other than that I like the fact that CNN is running these stories. We all know that even today’s society is still a bit ignorant when it comes to individuals with disabilities. People still think that the disabled community are incapable and not worthy of fathering or mothering children. Yes, People with disabilities do think of sex and family just like any other non-disabled individual. I think the stories promote disability and give people a sense that people do have a can do attitude about being parents and other dreams and are very much capable. I also think that by showing the different types of disabilities promotes acceptance to the various types of disabilities.
Emede Reyes
I agree with Martha G. when she talks about society's ingnorance. I think that through such reports, others can learn that people with disabilities can achieve just as much as people without disabilities. I think that through small steps, eventually people will be able to accept that people with disabilities are just as capable of fulfilling their dreams.
-Anna Ocanas
Such stories are important for viewers because it gives them a glimpse into the life of people with disabilities who are often thought to not be able to be parents due to having a disability. There is still a lot of ignorance in our society and such documentaries sometimes are enough to open someone's eyes to think differently towards people with disabilities. It also helps you appreciate the struggles that people with disabilities have to overcome in order to experience things such as parenting.
I have always enjoyed watching shows related to disability. They are interesting and it is a way to show other people that not because of a disability, the person is not able to be a good parent. It is amazing how when a person has a disability, they adapt somehow other skills to perform an activity and not depend on someone else. I believe that when someone is willing to do something, no matter how many obstacles are in front of him, there is always a way to overcome them.
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