What do you think about children/adults who have disabilities? How sensitive are you toward their needs?

Question

Has anyone ever volunteered or participated in helping a disability organization?

Answer 1

My husband has 2 uncles and a cousin who are blind and I help out where I can. Helping an organization is one thing but acually living with or around them is another. Helping an organization is great but at the end of the day you can go home and not worry about it unless you want to. Mostly my uncles need help for instance reading the paper, Mowing the grass, Any yard work, dusting, they have a nicknack rack that needs cleaned quit often . When they need to go somewhere which is quite often and they get bored really easy. They can do most every other thing for themselves. But the running on a whim everywhere drives me crazy. I also have 2 children who are homebodies and like to play at home. I am torn. I try to be sensitive to there needs. I love them.

Answer 2

I worked at a nursing home for 5 1/2 years. While there I spent a lot of off time hours taking those able to get out and go places where ever they wanted. At times it wasn't anymore than just a drive in the country while other went out to eat, shopping - whatever.

Those were some of my best years.....

Answer 3

I actually just took a psychology course on disability and I was really surprised to learn all the ways we patronize people with disabilities - even when we are being sensitive etc. Moreover, it is surprising how we tend to make them heroes when they are just trying to live their lives. We had to think up ways to include people in the classroom etc. It was a real eyeopener.

Answer 4

I think, whenever possible, we need to treat people with special needs the same way we treat other people. I have found that if we treat them normally, they tend to respect us more, and the relationship gets stronger. Sometimes however, you need to make exceptions. It really gets on my nerves when people treat diabled persons so much differently, by ignoring them, or being overly nice to them. I think that being overly nice to them makes them feel like they stand out from others, which in all honesty, they don't need.

Answer 5

I have a lot of respect for the challenges they face every day. I try to be sensitive to their needs, but often feel unsure, since I don't want to assume they are helpless, and don't want to offend them.

Answer 6

I taught emotionally distrubed high school students for 10 years...it isn't always easy to be sensitive to the needs of special education students...but i tried!

Answer 7

Our youngest daughter was born with multiple disabilities. My wife and I help out with "Babies Can't Wait" when we can. People can ask some pretty rude questions when we are in public with her.