Skip to main content

Ted Talks by Aimee Mullins

The older I have grown the more I have seen the crippling effects of societal mindsets.  Simply looking at the various changes in roles of women, men, children, and races has revealed the side effects of societal norms.  From working on plantations without rights to their own bodies to finally becoming integrated and viewed as equal, African Americans have suffered the stigma associated with their race.  Alongside this is the issue of women's rights and their desires to become involved in the workforce.  Over time and gradual mindset changes equality and rights have been achieved, but I believe the real issue behind societal expectations can be found in the definitions of words and how they are used.  Aimee Mullins does an incredible job emphasizing the importance of word definitions and how they are used in her Ted Talks about the demeaning impact of the word "disabled" to refer to an individual with special needs.  By reading the synonyms listed with this word, Mullins points out the demise of a person when referred to as disabled.  I was completely astounded by the debilitating synonyms of this word and cannot imagine my reaction to hearing someone refer to me as "disabled" when in reality it means that I am impotent and incapable of independence.  However, Mullins turns this negative into a positive by emphasizing how important it is for individuals to not look at their issues as the end but as a chance to adapt.  One idea that really sticks with me from this talk is how she mentioned it's not confrontation that we should be surprised to encounter - everyone encounters issues - but it is how we respond that truly matters.  Mullins herself is an incredible example of how issues in life can be overcome if we trust in the innate ability of human adaptation.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Stephen Hawking

Today we talked about Stephen Hawking, renown scientist and lecturer, and his fight with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).  The incredible thing about him is that while he now is completely dependent on the help of others, he is still pursuing his passion of writing, science and speaking.  While he is dependent on a tracheotomy for breathing functions and cannot actually speak, he has found ways to communicate and live life to the fullest.  In fact, Assistive Technology (AT) has helped him to communicate by use of cheek movements in selecting words and phrases on a computer.  Even though his AT has helped, Hawking's therapy should focus on continued effort to find the most advanced AT and adaptive equipment so that his continued loss of function will not impede his ability to pursue his desires and interests.  Goals for OT involve training caregivers on how to us AT, discovering new techniques and methods to incorporate in his daily life, and helping him to f...
Post a Comment
Read more

Adapting the Practice of OT

The beautiful thing about occupational therapy as a profession is its adaptability.  It thrives in an environment that is multi-dimensional where the profession morphs according to the client.  "Client-centered" and "top-down approach" are all key terms when describing OT.  Instead of being a rigid process with little adaptation, the profession molds into the best fit for each specific client. Occupational therapists are more than just practitioners.  In a way, OTs are detectives, teachers, and companions.  One theory that capitalizes on the adaptability of OT is Frame of Reference (FoR).  FoR implements the strengths of OT by allowing the practitioner's roles to adapt to each individual client. Using the client's FoR aids the therapist to develop an intervention that best suites his specific needs.  This is where solving mysteries and applying reasoning to the situation is useful.  Deducing the client's motivations and context are key in the deve...
1 comment
Read more

Appreciating the Little Things

Last week our school had a "Student Appreciation Day" where there was an abundance of food trucks, music and fun for the students and faculty.  I had a fantastic time eating wings, talking with classmates, and enjoying the day (it was a Monday and those days are typically difficult to enjoy!).  Truly, it was a fun time and a great break from the chaos of school.  While some people might have just looked at this as an opportunity for yummy free food, it reminded me of the great things in life I tend to forget!  So often I get wound up on little assignments or tests and quizzes that I forget to enjoy life and appreciate the opportunities before me.  In all honesty it really is the little things in life that can make a big difference, and how much more so do these things affect someone who cannot go out and experience them for themselves?  This got me to thinking -- how do people who are in a hospital enjoy their time?  I know that some places offer commu...
Post a Comment
Read more