Post by Radonna on Mar 1, 2006 15:22:38 GMT -5
Radonna Hill
Pam Arnell
Lifespan Psychology
2/28/06
Children with Mental Retardation
by Radonna Hill
Down syndrome is the number one cause of Organic
Mental Retardation. Retardation that has a physical or
biological cause. People with Down syndrome have an
extra chromosome Number 21, that is present in every
cell of their body. How Down syndrome will affect an
individual depends mostly on their own unique genetic
make up. Mental Retardation is usually defined as
having an IQ of 70 or below, before the age of 18.
People can loose Mental function later in life but it is
usually defined as brain damage due to accident, illness
or trauma.
I’d like to introduce you to Kaden he likes to lay in
sunbeams and appreciate the simple joy of a
sunny day. He’s a stop and smell the roses little guy in
a rushed world of over achievers. In this fast
paced world it is so easy to miss the value of the
children that do things at their own pace.
The stack of papers I brought with me today are
something called an IEP and a Psychological
Evaluation. The IEP is done once a year all for the
purpose of making Kaden fit into what
we define as normal. So much goes into details of
what he should be doing that who he is can
sometimes get lost.
I would also like to introduce you to Debbie. She is an
amazing self advocate with Down syndrome
she wrote this beautiful poems about what it feels like
to grow up with Down syndrome
The Race Toward "Normal"
I try so hard to be with the leader of the pack.
I push and strain to be in the group that is behind
the leader of the pack.
The feeling of being one of them urges me on.
All of my problems of being different would go away.
I'd be one of them. I'd be like them.
We would laugh together and party together.
There would be no more taunting and certainly not
anymore whispering behind my back.
The feeling of oneness would block out the past.
"Your not different," I say to myself.
"I'm like everyone else," I say to myself.
The gap widens. Fatigue slows me down.
Stopping to rest, I look ahead at the group in
the distance.
I realize I am alone,
alone but unique.
I have been in this class and have heard many of you
use the word Retard or Retarded to describe
something stupid or slow. What I hope to accomplish
today is for everyone of you to walk out
of this class tonight and really see people with
disabilities for the unique individuals that they are.
For you all to see what people with Disabilities have to
offer the world.
Next I would like to share with you a story that for me
sums it up better than I ever could.
And they call some of these people "retarded"...
A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry.
The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back .... every one of them. One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.
Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course
I would like to close by asking four volunteers to come
up here. First I would like to give you your labels.
You three are Daisies and You are the violet.
(To the Violet) Stand up straighter! Don’t be so purple!!
Your leaves are to crumpled. Look how tall and proud
the daisy’s are don’t you WANT to be like them? WHY
is it so hard for you to be a daisy!
It makes little sense to stand up here and condemn this
poor violet for not being a daisy. Because Violets are
not deformed daisies they are unique flowers that have
their own unique beauty that should be valued and
appreciated.
Pam Arnell
Lifespan Psychology
2/28/06
Children with Mental Retardation
by Radonna Hill
Down syndrome is the number one cause of Organic
Mental Retardation. Retardation that has a physical or
biological cause. People with Down syndrome have an
extra chromosome Number 21, that is present in every
cell of their body. How Down syndrome will affect an
individual depends mostly on their own unique genetic
make up. Mental Retardation is usually defined as
having an IQ of 70 or below, before the age of 18.
People can loose Mental function later in life but it is
usually defined as brain damage due to accident, illness
or trauma.
I’d like to introduce you to Kaden he likes to lay in
sunbeams and appreciate the simple joy of a
sunny day. He’s a stop and smell the roses little guy in
a rushed world of over achievers. In this fast
paced world it is so easy to miss the value of the
children that do things at their own pace.
The stack of papers I brought with me today are
something called an IEP and a Psychological
Evaluation. The IEP is done once a year all for the
purpose of making Kaden fit into what
we define as normal. So much goes into details of
what he should be doing that who he is can
sometimes get lost.
I would also like to introduce you to Debbie. She is an
amazing self advocate with Down syndrome
she wrote this beautiful poems about what it feels like
to grow up with Down syndrome
The Race Toward "Normal"
I try so hard to be with the leader of the pack.
I push and strain to be in the group that is behind
the leader of the pack.
The feeling of being one of them urges me on.
All of my problems of being different would go away.
I'd be one of them. I'd be like them.
We would laugh together and party together.
There would be no more taunting and certainly not
anymore whispering behind my back.
The feeling of oneness would block out the past.
"Your not different," I say to myself.
"I'm like everyone else," I say to myself.
The gap widens. Fatigue slows me down.
Stopping to rest, I look ahead at the group in
the distance.
I realize I am alone,
alone but unique.
I have been in this class and have heard many of you
use the word Retard or Retarded to describe
something stupid or slow. What I hope to accomplish
today is for everyone of you to walk out
of this class tonight and really see people with
disabilities for the unique individuals that they are.
For you all to see what people with Disabilities have to
offer the world.
Next I would like to share with you a story that for me
sums it up better than I ever could.
And they call some of these people "retarded"...
A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry.
The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back .... every one of them. One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.
Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course
I would like to close by asking four volunteers to come
up here. First I would like to give you your labels.
You three are Daisies and You are the violet.
(To the Violet) Stand up straighter! Don’t be so purple!!
Your leaves are to crumpled. Look how tall and proud
the daisy’s are don’t you WANT to be like them? WHY
is it so hard for you to be a daisy!
It makes little sense to stand up here and condemn this
poor violet for not being a daisy. Because Violets are
not deformed daisies they are unique flowers that have
their own unique beauty that should be valued and
appreciated.