Posted by Kath on February 21, 2008, at 16:28:35
In reply to I REALLY NEED YOUR INPUT with this..please.ALL, posted by Jay-Bravest_Face on February 20, 2008, at 22:43:45
I have worked mostly in this field for the past 20 years, with people who have developmental, mental health, and what they call dual-diagnosis disabilities.
****Dual-diagnosis is what my son has Jay.***
>
> One bit of my concern, though, is the political nature of the course content, and my personal beliefs. I recently had a chance to dive right into the program content, go through course outlines, see what kind of research they where doing, etc. One, is that they refer to mental health consumers as survivors, and seem to have an anti-psychiatry slant
> to a fair bit of their material. It seems like they believe we are still in this 60s mentality where they took mentally ill people and locked them in a padded room, constantly fed them thorazine or Haldol, and gave them constant shock treatment. But, maybe my addition will be good. Maybe it will challenge me to go in there and say my bit, present my research to the contrary, especially as a mental health consumer myself. Someone who has taken many, many medications, and found some that worked well enough to bring me able to go back to university and hold down a full-time job at 38 years old.****Jay, I'd say you're a wonderful example. I would think that a difference of opinions & viewpoints is welcomed in 'higher learning'???
Do you think you'd have to 'buy in' to these ways of looking at things in order to 'fit in' or even to pass?******> The second issue I have is around a more complicated area. It involves those with both physical and to an extent, developmental disabilities. There is some very strong opposition from some leaders in these communities to certain medical and scientific practices. One of them is around stem cell and genetic manipulation research. Basically, they feel just leave us alone and accept us, when scientists are looking into possible genetic cures (or some variation) on everything from cerebral palsy to autism and developmental handicaps (aka retardation). Myself, I am appalled by this opposition, and have such deep faith in science, and in absolutely awe-inspiring tools like stem cell research. We should be so lucky to have gifted scientists who discovered and conduct such research.
***same comment as above really. I'd be surprised if they'd insist that people share this viewpoint if it doesn't 'fit' for them. Say you were writing a paper....maybe it'd be necessary for you to understand the above viewpoint & be able to comment on it, etc. Do you think they'd insist you take on that viewpoint? Pretty scarey if they would.******
> It seems to me, the argument from the disability community (or some leaders in it) is that accept us as we areperiod. Yes, I agree with that, no problem. But, if they had these kind of stem cell cures for mental illness, and we said leave us alone, wouldnt it be a slap in the face to all of the hardship we place on our families, and hence our community, our medical service, etc? Do people with physical disabilities not have an obligation, if the opportunity arises, to lose the chains of their disability, and give a bit more then they previously where not able to society? I know that sounds a bit cold, but I dont think asking very much at all. Id like to hope not that some people dont like the simple idea of identifying with their label as disabled. I personally certainly dont.
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> The final issue is around euthanasia. (wow..we are not getting heavy here, eh?..heh..lol.) I dont see these issues as black and white. In regards to abortion, I have personal experience in losing a child, (not to abortion of course) but I can still be objective. So, their belief around euthanasia is that even if a person is suffering terribly from a disability, everything in the world should be done to make them live a long, long life. By terrible disability, I mean one that puts a person in deep physical anguish and pain. They even refer to a website they have, called Im not dead yet. Personally, I think it is cruel to force somebody to have to live with such pain. I had a friend who odd on heroin and was in a coma, no signs of coming out after two weeks on life support, and his family made the collective decision to take him off it. I know, it is a personally touchy issue, but I dont like how people who believe in rational euthanasia are put-down and called names. It truly hurts.****Once again - same comments.
I think it might be good to speak to someone at the school to discuss these concerns. That way, you'd know ahead of time what to expect.
I can't even imagine going back to school & I always TOTALLY admire when people are thinking about it or do go back!
Best of luck Jay, hugs, Kath
> Anyhow Id really love some input. Thanks for taking the time to read.
>
> Best,
> Jay
poster:Kath
thread:813834
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20080215/msgs/813953.html