Please Welcome Larissa Martin As Our Guest Blogger For March. As She Shares Her Story Entitled:"Just Because I Have a Physical Disability, Please Don’t Assume I am in a Day Hab Program"

  A while back I went to the doctor for a physical. Everything was going well with the normal standard questions. Then, the nurse asked me a question I was not expecting. "Larissa, what do you do in day hab?" Now, for those of you who don’t know what it is, day Habilitation is a person-centered program for individuals who have mental and physical disabilities. They go to these programs during the day when their caretakers may be at work or tending to other obligations. Individuals who attend these programs have typically aged out of schooling programs. These programs are empowering in how they strive to promote independence and individuality in the individuals it serves by allowing them to choose their daily activities. It allows individuals to explore new interests, become more involved in their community, increase communication and interpersonal skills as well as create and accomplish individual goals. Some individuals who attend these programs look forward to it as it is their sole source of socialization.

    When I told the nurse that I didn't attend a day hab program, she then followed up with asking what I do instead. I then told her I'm a writer and ran and founded a small group in my community at that time. Her questions really got me thinking about the stereotypes placed on individuals with physical and mental disabilities. Why do people assume that if we are disabled, we are all held to do the same things with our lives? This is not an argument against day hab programs. I think these programs are effective and for some, life changing. For me, personally, I do not need them to stay busy. What irritated me most was the assumption that due to me having cerebral palsy and being an amputee, this medical professional thought a day hab was something I needed. There are many individuals with disabilities in the world that are forming their own lives and not following a "prescribed" method of living.

    I think we need to challenge people to view each person they come across whom has a disability as an individual. Ask them about their interests, their goals and their work. Don't assume. Don't judge a book by its cover or by the stereotype that society has created for them. Because all of us are different and have different things we do and not go to dayhab. We have work; we have family’s, careers etc. When doctors or others in society assume everyone that that has a disability physical or otherwise, they are not educating themselves or communicating with someone in the disability community. I think doctors and others need to educate themselves more assume less and listen more. Because only then will stereotypes break for the disability community as a whole. Imagine what a difference it would make for our community if society saw us as we are and not just the stereotypes they choose to see? What a better understanding we would have on disabilities and stereotypes in general.

Connect with Larissa online!

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Larissas-writing-417791061892597

Twitter: @Whlchrbeast

If You'd like to find out how you can become a guest blogger with The Abler, please. Use the contact form on this blog, and contact the founder, Jessica Niziolek for futher details. Please Take Note: This not a paying position. And we do not take religion driven or political driven topics.