Better Opportunity?

For those who live in third world countries, Canada means freedom, safety, opportunity and equality. Once they arrive in Canada, often the only employment they find is minimum wage, and sometimes not even full time. Many immigrants find themselves working two or three part time jobs, simply so they can provide for their families. Even if they have received a postsecondary education in their native countries, their degrees and diplomas might not be equivalent to a Canadian education, making the education null and void.

Immigrating is no easy feat, especially into countries such as Canada or the United States of America. There are an incredible amount of steps which must be taken in order to even be considered as a potential immigrant, and it is extremely costly. One of the most important requirements that must be met (if one is not being sponsored by a resident of that country) is to have desirable skills which will contribute to the economy of the potential country, or must be willing to fulfill a position which citizens are not, or are unable, to fill.

Those with physical disabilities desiring to emigrate from third world countries have a much harder time making that dream a reality. Due to the fact that the majority of jobs available to immigrants involve physical labor for menial pay (such as being a nanny or live-in caregiver), persons who have a physical disability are not even considered for the position, as they would not be able to adequately perform the job. This decreases their chances of obtaining a Landed Immigrant status greatly.

If they are able to find employment, immigrants and refugees often find themselves forced into jobs which Canadians do not want to do. These kinds of work, especially the part time positions, do not offer any kind of benefit plan or package to their employees. Jobs such as a live-in caregiver are not even governed by national minimum wage laws; the amount of pay received by the employee is at the discretion of the employer, as the employer is not only paying the employee, but also housing them and paying for utilities and such, ensuring their basic human needs are met.

As the majority of jobs immigrants work do not have any type of benefit plan, they are unable to receive some services that may be required for them to have the same level of independence and living condition that someone with adequate benefits would. For instance, if a landed immigrant is in need of a white cane or a teletypewriter (TTY) phone, these particular services might not be available to them in the same way that they would be for someone with medical coverage. Granted, Canada is much more sensitive than the United States of America is in regards to circumstances such as these, receiving required services might still end up being a hassle for immigrants and refugees.

Another barrier that immigrants and refugees might face is communication. Landed immigrants often come from countries where English is not the national language, so discovering services that are available to the public, especially those which are available for persons with a physical disability, might seem virtually impossible. For example, if one is unable to speak or understand English, or does so very poorly, s/he might not be aware of services such as Handi-Transit.

For some, Canada is a lifelong dream when which attained, might not prove to be everything they had dreamed of. As much as one would like to believe that Canada is as perfect as some make it out to be, the reality is that there is still a substantial amount of discrimination and inequality that needs to be dealt with, preferably in a timely manner. People immigrate to Canada in hopes of bettering themselves and the lives of their families, only to find that there are countless hurdles to jump over to achieve a satisfactory level of living.

To me, a perfect Canada would not discriminate against persons who want to immigrate into our beautiful country based on physical disability, and upon landing in Canada would be immediately paired with someone who knows the ins and outs of various services that the newcomer would be in need of, and be able to explain these things in a language that would be understood by the new resident; someone who could assist him/her in learning either of our national languages so that they could eventually be able to properly communicate with our citizens, service providers, and government officials so they might receive the same standard of living which everyone deserves to have.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. (2005) Immigrants finding jobs in Canada, just not the ones they want. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2005/10/13/lsic051013.html

Alyssa

Please Notice What Nobody Else Does

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is generally only thought of as a disorder which affects one’s motor skills. It is defined as “shaking or trembling palsy…” (Steadman’s Medical Dictionary, 1982), but what is not realized is that there are a number of nonmotory symptoms and manifestations which are not taken into consideration when one is being treated for this disorder. Although stereotyped to be a condition which only older adults suffer from, there are some younger people who experience early onset forms of this disease. There are five stages which a person progresses through, the final stage being the one which renders a person incapable of caring for themselves (WebMD, 2010).

People who suffer from Parkinson’s disease not only have to deal with the loss of their motor skills, but they also have to cope with the effects the disease has on their psyche. PD is often accompanied by things like depression, anxiety, psychosis, and dementia (Ceravolo, 2010). The prevalence rates of these symptoms is varied, and can range anywhere from seven to 76 percent of the affected population.

Due to the fact that these affects generally go unnoticed and untreated, persons who live with this disease often are not able to have the same quality of life as someone who does not suffer from PD. For instance, if depression goes untreated, a person will struggle to find meaning in doing even the simplest tasks. If a person with PD has depression, s/he may not even see the point in pulling themselves out of bed in the morning knowing that they are going to struggle with the control of their motor system all day.

When one thinks of PD, they do not think of the affect a disease such as this would have on one’s mindset. Physician’s main goals are to administer narcotics which subdue or alleviate the physical symptoms of PD so that the affected person may be able to better live their life. If physicians do not generally take into consideration the mental aspect of this disease, it is no wonder that the untrained person does not realize that Parkinson’s disease is not only physical, but mental as well.

Persons living with this disease cannot hide the tremors or the shaking. The palsy is something others are able to see, and often something that they are unable to look away from. The average person would not be able to look past the shaking and see the sparkle which is gone from their once bright eyes and they cannot see the fear of the inevitable loss of independence.

Not all people living with PD experience all potential psyche-related symptoms, but every person needs to be looked at for who they are, and not the disease they are so unfortunate to have. Physicians need to be more aware of the potential psychological trauma that accompanies Parkinson’s disease so that those who are affected by this disease are given the support and resources that they require so that they have the opportunity to live their lives without the hanging shadow of an untreated symptom.

Everyone has a story, it is simply a matter of taking the time to look past the exterior image and discovering a person for who they truly are because often what you see is not what you get.

Ceravolo, R., Rossi, C., Kiferle, L., Bonuccelli, U. (2010) Nonmotor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease: The Dark Side of the Moon. Future Neurology, 851-871.

Steadman’s Medical Dictionary. (1982) A Complete and Practical Reference for Home and Office Use. Baltimore, MD: Waverly Press, Inc.

WebMD. (2010) The Stages of Parkinson’s Disease.

Alyssa

Mental Health, Suicide, and Physical Disability

I used to work as the Volunteer Coordinator at the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba (MDAM).  During my time there, I met and made friends with many people who had various types of mood disorders and or mental illness.  Located within the same office space are the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society (MSS), the OCD Center of Manitoba, and the Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba (ADAM).  Many of the consumers of these support structures utilized the services of more than one of the organizations there, as some people have overlapping symptoms and needs.  I also met many people who were not only affected with a mood disorder, but who also had physical disabilities and/or limitations. 

The thing that I noticed as I got to know certain individuals, is how a physical disability can play a significant role in the mental health of a person.  There’s a lot to cope with and it can takes its toll on a person.  Also, having a mood disorder makes coping with a physical disability a bit more problematic at times.  Some of these issues are highlighted in an article from Austrailia:

    Mental health conditions for this population are under-diagnosed (Jenkins & Gulbenkoglu, 1998). We believe this to be the most plausible account for these findings. Some reasons for this under-identification phenomenon may include:

-          Accurate diagnosis of mental illness in people with disabilities is fraught with difficulties, compounded by communication difficulties, which makes information about symptomatology (for example, thought content) difficult to elicit.

-          Symptoms that are normally ascribed to a mental illness being attributed to a behavioural manifestation of disability or 'challenging behaviour'.

-          Poor early detection of emerging mental health condition and mild-to-moderate cases being overlooked entirely.

-          Attitudinal barriers in recognising symptoms, based on the belief that people with disabilities do not possess the intellectual or personal capacity to be affected by everyday psychosocial stressors and, therefore, are protected from mental illness (Hagiliassis, 2005).

I had a difficult time trying to find Canadian content that included BOTH mental health AND physical disabilities.  There seems to be a gap in the knowledge – and people are falling through it. 

One of the ladies I had the privilege of working with uses a wheelchair.  She also is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.  One thing that improves her mental health is being able to leave her apartment, where she has home care, and do her volunteer work at MDAM.  She is really good at what she does.  Firstly, she does Peer Support, which entails her answering phone calls from a wide variety of individuals.  Sometimes people want information.  Sometimes they are in crisis.  Some just need an understanding ear to listen.  This person is qualified to speak with people who call in because she knows what it’s like to have a mood disorder.  She knows the system, the medication, the hospital and the stigma that people generally have towards mental illness and mood disorders.  The other thing she is doing now is facilitating some of the group sessions.  This entails laying down the rules for group time, monitoring the sharing time, and offering encouraging feedback.  Again, her life experience plays an important role here, which helps to provide a greater measure of safety to those seeking support.  She’s been there.  She knows. 

However, when there was construction work being done in her building, the elevator was not in service for two weeks.  She was not able to get out of her apartment to volunteer.  She found it very hard, and quite depressing to be alone there for that length of time.  Her quality of life was reduced during that time.  But soon she was back at MDAM and back to her old self. 

I also think about my other friend, the one I posted about in the “Queercripping” post.  Her mental health is suffering too.  I’m not sure that it’s being addressed.  She feels suicidal, and depressed much of the time.  Hopeless – and understandably so.  I’m pretty sure she no longer has the ability to carry out a suicide.  But that’s not the point.  To be feeling that level of desperation is not a way to live.  I do hope and pray that she is able to find a way to have joy in her life again.  If you can’t find that – what is there to live for?

In “Why People Die By Suicide” by Thomas Joiner, he describes what it is that makes people especially vulnerable to suicide.  The first thing is “thwarted belongingness”.  When this fundamental human need is thwarted, it negatively affects health, adjustment and well being.  Pain censors in the brain react the same as physical pain.  The second thing is “perceived burdensomeness”.  This is characterized by a deep sense of incompetence or ineffectiveness.  A person feels like a burden on loved ones and others.  The self image is assaulted, and there is a sense of fractured control over one’s destiny.  (Joiner, 2005, p. 23, 65, 96, 97, 118).  I know for my friend at HSC, she no longer belongs to the abled group.  She now belongs to the group of people with a disability.  That’s a pretty big loss to grieve, and a huge adjustment to make.  Her sense of belongingness is very fragile.  I would think that it would be quite difficult to NOT feel like a burden, when most of your life entails others having to do so much for you.  I worry about her perceiving herself as a burden.  Joiner claims that you can do feeling one or the other.  But when you feel both, that’s when it’s dangerous. 

These are just a few things to keep in mind when you consider how mental health intersects with physical disability. 

Bambi

References:

Hagiliassis,Nick; DiMarco, Mark; Gulbenkoglu, Hrepsime; Iacono, Teresa; Larkin, Helen; & Watson, Joanne.   The Bridging Project: Physical disability and mental health.  Retrieved from: http://www.psychology.org.au/publications/inpsych/bridging/

Jenkins, W. & Gulbenkoglu, H. (1998). Physical and sensory/psychiatric disability. Paper presented at VICSERV Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

Joiner, Thomas. (2005)  Why People Die By Suicide, p. 23, 65, 96, 97, 118.  Harvard University Press.

The Battle Continues at Home...

When soldiers are deployed into combat, there is a chance that they will not make it home, and if they do, they might arrive without a limb or be suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder. Military personnel who have lost a limb in combat not only have to battle reestablishing their lives without the lots limb, but they also come home to find that they may have to battle the government for the services that should be handed to them without question.

When one makes the decision to serve their country, that person is tested intellectually and physically, as one must be able to at any time be fit to be deployed into combat. Military personnel can be serving their country for years, decades even, but as soon as they become injured or physically disabled, they are snubbed by the country they worked so hard to protect.

Veterans who come home with a disability, may it be physical or psychological, face the risks of losing various benefits, and even their career. Those who have lost limbs such as legs face the risk of not being able to pass the annual physical test (PT), which includes being able to run for 2.4 kilometers within a time frame which varies with one’s age (Canadian Forces, 2011). If they are unable to pass this test, they risk being discharged from the military. The armed forces does not take into consideration that a prosthetic limb might overheat during the run, or that the run will be more difficult for someone who does not have the limbs they were born with; the standards are set, and there are no changes or adaptions to the requirements to accommodate those who were injured during battle.

If these injured military personnel are discharged from the Armed Forces, they face the chance of losing the benefits that they would have normally received upon leaving the forces of their own accord. Generally upon being discharged from the Canadian Forces, veterans receive a lump sum of money for their injuries. If they do end up receiving a monthly allowance from the government (i.e a severance pay), this will be considered a form of income, and will be taxed heavily. While these soldiers are enduring rehabilitation, they may have families to feed and house that are dependent on the income that soldier once brought in, and this substantial decrease in finances might hit that family very hard.

Injured veterans who do receive a monthly allowance for their disability might not only have to pay taxes on those monies, but may also have their monthly pension held back from the allowance once they reach the age a pension would start. One veteran has stated that “It is a pain-and-suffering payment for the non-economic losses associated with acquiring a physical or mental injury… It is simply not income” (Mangue, 2011). This could not be truer, as adjusting to and living life with a physical impairment would require special services in order to maintain a relatively independent status. May it be a white cane for those who have lost their sight, a motorized wheelchair for someone who has lost the use of their legs, or a prosthetic replacement for someone who has lost a limb in combat, injured veterans need this monthly allowance to continue living their lives. They want to maintain their independence just as much as the rest of the population does, and the government of Canada has no right to withhold the monies or the services for those who faithfully defended our nation, risking their own lives so we may continue living ours comfortably.

Canadian Forces. (2011). Preparation for basic training: physical fitness guide (ADM(PA) DPAPM / SMA(AP) DPMAP / DGM-10-05-0014).                           http://cdn.forces.ca/_PDF2010/physical_fitness_en.pdf

Mangue, D. (2011, November 16). Veterans challenge clawback of disability benefits. The Star. http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1088155

I cannot remember, nor can I figure out how to attach a video, but this YouTube video accompanies this post nicely: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-CEFUtuZ00

Alyssa

Don't Judge a Book by its Cover, Please.

Sometimes, a physical disability has symptoms that may be misinterpreted by members of society as mental or cognitive delays or disabilities. This is sometimes the case with Cerebral Palsy. CP is not one disability, instead it is many different disabilities that may affect the mental, physical, or both mental and physical health of a person diagnosed. 

Some people living with Cerebral Palsy do experience learning disabilities or brain delay, some people are only perceived this way as a result of trauma in the brain; causing the appearance of a mental illness. For example, if the part of the brain traumatized controls speech, the person affected by this particular type of CP will speak slowly with little clarity because of physical trauma to the brain, not because they have a learning disorder or mental delay.

 Although Cerebral Palsy is just one case of a physical disability that may be misconstrued as a mental disability, it is important that society recognizes that physical disability may disguise itself in this way, and that we as members of society become more aware of the distinction of mental and physical disability. It is stereotypical to assign someone into a label without knowing their actual diagnosis; and this is exactly what is occurring when people with physical disabilities are incorrectly “diagnosed” by members of society.

Beyond the limitations and discrimination that stereotyping implies, mislabeling is also a cause for many other factors that may exacerbate health conditions. A study done by Allison Bahm and Cheryl Forchuk (2009) examined the implications that comorbid stigmatization (stigmatization because of both a mental and physical disability) has on individuals. They found strong evidence to support the correlation that comorbid stigmatization has numerous negative effects on the individual subjected to it.

“These people represent a particularly vulnerable group in society, and special attention should be focused on addressing the source of the stigmatizing attitudes and behaviours… It is not enough to classify a person as feeling stigmatised or not” (Bahm & Forchuk, 2009).

Bahm & Forchuk also go on to explain the likely negative implications of this comorbid stigmatization:

“…increased perceived stigma and discrimination are associated with greater mental health problem severity, poorer life satisfaction and worse physical and emotional health, and thus using scales of perceived stigma and discrimination are more effective”.  (Bahm & Forchuk, 2009)

This study re-affirms the importance of equality for all, and especially the importance of giving everyone equal opportunity; a key element in the paradigm of a social democrat.  Not only do we as a society need to be nurturant and patient to people living with diabililties, but we must also be self-aware of our actions and the implications they may have. We must be cautious as to not make any judgments or maintain preconceived notions about people within our environment; this includes Bahm & Forchuk’s (2009) comorbid stigmatization.

One article I found online also demonstrated just how easy it is for people to get swept up in the media’s portrayal of disability, and the dangers of this occurrence, considering the much-too-often incorrect portrayal of mental and physical disability. This article explains “mental illness is consistently misrepresented in the media depictions through exaggerations and misinformation. Depictions are inaccurate, both in representing people as violent and dangerous” (Stout, Villegas, & Jennings, 2004)

These actions of misinterpreting the media’s representations of mental illness would have transferrable implications with respect to physical disability. As you can imagine, the implications incorrect assumptions based on media depictions hold are more than likely to have effects similar or equal to the ones Bahm & Forchuk have emphasized. These implications are very negative consequences; and consequences that are not deserved of at all by the recipients. Undeserving comorbid stigmatization may consequently exacerbate negative conditions making a life that may already be more difficult that it need be, even worse.

-Kelsey

 References:

Bahm, A., & Forchuk, C. (2009). Interlocking oppressions: The effect of a comorbid physical disability on perceived stigma and discrimination among mental health consumers in Canada. Health & social care in the community, 17, 63-70.

Stout, P. A., Villegas, J., & Jennings, N. A. (2004). Images of mental illness in the media: Identifying gaps in the research. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 30, 543-561.

The Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba. 2010. What is Cerebral Palsy? Retrieved from: http://www.cerebralpalsy.mb.ca/about.htm

Acceptance is our Ultimate Goal

You would never build another orphanage for children.

It’s an outdated model of service.

We’ve found other ways to support children.

You would never consider building

Residential Schools again for First Nations People.

It’s an outdated model of service and we’ve found other

ways to respond to needs.



 By Rose Flaig, President, Community Living-Manitoba

I remember watching One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest a number of years ago and thinking, is this what happens to mentally and physically disabled people.  Society should be embarrassed!  Things may have changed somewhat since those days, but the essence of the story still rings true in many ways, even today. We like to believe that we no longer place mentally and physically disabled people in institutions, but the sad reality is we still do.  The topic of institutionalization is a sensitive one.  Some believe that institutions are best while others believe that there are other options. I have always been opposed to institutionalization.  I feel as though “locking” someone up against their will is a crime against humanity.

Historically, the institutionalization of people with disabilities was seen as an acceptable practice, however today institutions are viewed as places that isolate, alienate, and house people that are socially devalued.  Keep in mind, how can a practice that is known to harm people and to be inconsistent with human rights perspectives, continue into the 21^st century?  Institutions that developed in the early 17^th century served to protect society from physically, intellectually, and socially disabled individuals, people that were considered to be “mad”.  They had the idea that these “mad” individuals could be “cured or fixed” and when they were, they would be returned back into society.  We all know that it is impossible to cure many of these disabilities.

I recall being in middle school with a student who was mentally and physically disabled.  Today, she lives in a group home, coincidently, on the same street as my mom. She lives with three other adults in a nice house with a yard, she appears happy and well-adjusted.  When you think of the money that is spent running an institution, maintaining the building, insurance costs, supplies, etc., to me, it just makes more sense to spend that money on funding for group homes.  This is where society as a whole needs to change their views about disabled people.

There are important differences between the experiences of adults with mental disabilities and of those with physical disabilities, but there are also significant similarities.  Perhaps most fundamentally, people who have been designated by labels of mental or physical disability encounter comparable forms of stigma and prejudice that result in unequal treatment and discrimination (Gross & Hahn, 2004).  For mental disabilities, we know there are disorders like anxiety, depression and schizophrenia and for physical disabilities, we know that one can be paralyzed with a spinal cord injury, blind or suffer from arthritis. I believe that mental illnesses and physical disabilities go hand in hand. People living with a serious mental illness are at higher risk of experiencing a wide range of chronic physical conditions, sometimes, even just from the side effects of medication that they may be on, such as weight gain, which could lead to diabetes. Depression can lead to fatigue and render a person unable to even get out of bed. People living with chronic physical health conditions experience depression and anxiety at twice the rate of the general population (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2008).  Recognizing and diagnosing each person’s situation is the only way to determine the proper care they should receive.

We need more programs to make people understand what it means to be disabled, regardless of whether or not it is mental or physical. I believe it is everyone’s responsibility to become advocates, start by discussing the issue with friends and family.  We cannot just rely on the government to make changes; corporations need to help as well. Look at Canada Safeway, they hire mentally and physically disabled people, they may speak a little slower or not at all, walk with a limp or lack some coordination but after all, they are human beings just like you and me.  Mullaly (2007) explains, when looking at this issue from a social democratic viewpoint, they believe that a reduction in inequalities reduces feelings of isolation or alienation and creates a greater sense of belonging or social cohesion.  Acceptance should be our ultimate goal.

If British Columbia, Ontario, and Newfoundland have been able to close their institutions and function without them, why did the Government of Manitoba spend $40 million renovating the Manitoba Developmental Centre in Portage La Prairie? Would the money not have been better spent building support homes within the community to help care for people with disabilities and give them a life where they can live more comfortably?  In a perfect world, we would like to think that institutions don't need to exist, but the sad reality is that they will always be present somewhere in the world.  “It is a fact that many thousands of people remain trapped in institutions — confined to facilities and lifestyles not of their choosing” (Institution Watch, 2006, p.2).  When society frees themselves of the prejudices displayed towards people with disabilities and realize that they are humans, not to be locked up and hidden away, only then will we be free of institutions.

References:

Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario. (2008). The Relationship between Mental Health, Mental Illness and Chronic Physical Conditions. Retrieved from http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/admin_ver2/maps/cmha_chronic_disease_backgrounder.pdf

First People of Canada. (2006). Monitoring the progress toward a vision of full community living for all persons with intellectual disabilities: Institution Watch, 2 (1), 1-20.

Gross, B. H., & Hahn, H. (2004). Developing issues in the classification of mental and physical disabilities. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 15,130–134.

Mullaly, B. (2007). The New Structural Social Work (3^rd Edition), p. 123. Oxford University Press,

Opening Communities…Closing Institutions. Retrieved from http://www.aclmb.ca/Deinstitutionalization/MDC_Tabloid.pdf

Shauna Richardson



Beauty Within

The media has always bombarded us with a perfect image of beauty, making it artificial and unrealistic. Because beauty is viewed as being perfect, young, slender, and physically able, it makes it hard for woman with disabilities to come to terms with being beautiful. This interpretation of beauty is very discriminatory and prejudiced. It forces woman to feel pressurized into doing almost anything to obtain such beauty, from plastic surgery, eating disorders, and even suicide. The media’s idea of beauty makes it almost impossible for woman with disabilities to appear in movies, TV shows or even advertisements. These views do not provide woman and even some men with disabilities opportunities to celebrate their differences and sexuality through any kind of performances, theater, film, dance, and so on. Feeling beautiful and sexy is an essential part of the human self-esteem and identity. Beauty comes from within and denying this kind of beauty is an insult to human life. We need to be able to start thinking different, and understanding the true meaning of beauty. I have included a very inspirational YouTube video that I believe everybody should watch. I also didn’t want to write much on this topic because I wanted to show the images of beauty more. I have included several photos of the beauty of disability. As a society we need to begin to understand the challenges a person with disability faces outside of their disability.

-       - Marcia M