"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug." - Mark TwainPeople with disabilities are just like every other human being. Person-first language puts focus on the individual and not the disability. We should not identify individuals based on their functional or mental limitations. For example, a practitioner should refer to someone as "a man who had a stroke" instead of a "stroke patient." I believe it is important to understand and practice person-first language to be an effective practitioner. First, it allows the client to feel more comfortable, and you will make more progress together if the client feels like an individual and not a disability. Second, occupational therapists are trained to help people as a whole, not just the disability, so it is important for us to look past the disability and focus on the client, as well. There are countless more reasons to practice person-first language, but it is not just important for the client's sake. It is crucial that practitioners fully understand and believe in the holistic approach to therapy as well, and it starts here.
For my first Neuro Note, I watched a few videos from Lindsey Becker's YouTube channel. Lindsey is a woman with spina bifida and happens to be this year's Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee. She uses a wheelchair in her everyday life, and posts videos on YouTube about how she adapts and modifies her environment to continue living a normal life. The videos I watched included "Home Adaptations," "Wheelchair user Mazda RX-8 with adaptive hand controls," and "PSA for Package Delivery Couriers for Wheelchairs." I chose to watch Lindsey's videos for this assignment because I was just informed she will be coming to UTHSC's campus as a SOTA guest speaker. We also discuss home modifications in class, and I wanted to see what that looked like in an actual home. In the first video, Lindsey walked the audience through all the modifications in her home including two ramps, shower and closet remodels, as well as kitchen remodeling plans. It was eye-opening...
Very insightful post!
ReplyDelete