I found these two articles to be very interesting, I plan on receiving my early childhood education degree and a masters degree in special education so I was excited to know the topic of these readings. I am currently taking SPED 300, and doing 30 practicum hours for the class which is why i felt connected to these readings more than others we have done.
Kliewer's "Citizenship in School: Reconceptualizing Down Syndrome" was enjoyable to read, while the topic was not necessarily joyful, it was interesting to see the pieces taken from students with down syndrome who have written about their experiences throughout the reading rather than how many things are where everyone seems to talk for them. Mia's quote: "I started to notice that I didn't like the classes I was taking called special education." made me a little upset because we have students in special education classes and systems because it is what's best for them and their education, but the fact that the separation of them from their peers can affect them like this and have a negative impact on their attitude isn't okay. A little boy in my practicum classroom has down syndrome and he seems to be so happy and appears to enjoy school, I hope he stays this way and does not end up feeling like Mia did.
Verenne & McDermott's "Culture as Disability" was a broader topic rather than just down syndrome, yet was just as powerful to read. In the first paragraph they say "Social analysis shows that being labeled often invites a public response that multiplies the difficulties facing the seemingly unable. Cultural analysis shows that disability refers most precisely to inadequate performances only on tasks that are arbitrarily circumscribed by daily life." The label of a disability can truly change someone's life, socially, academically and more. Having a disability has an extremely negative connotation in our culture, which is not fair, while people with disabilities may need support sometimes they deserve to be treated just like everyone else as often as possible.
I agree with your points. The label of a disability can definitely change someone’s life in every way
ReplyDeleteI agree that the label can affect someone negatively. My mom has a hard time struggling with the fact she is now considered "handicap". I think it is harder for someone to overcome the change if they weren't born with a disability. I try to remind her to focus on all the things she can still do and how lucky she is with her outcome regardless of the little things she can no longer do on her own.
ReplyDelete