Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness Paper
Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness Paper
V.V.
NUR 440
October 24th, 2011
Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness Paper
Following long hours of thinking, outlining, investigating, and reading about different topics it was not easy to choose a vulnerable population. After going through the Neighborhood it became apparently clear that my desire is to write on the subject of the Down syndrome population. This vulnerable population is like no other. The individuals living with Down syndrome is a sub-group of people living with a genetic condition or a disorder and I wanted to know what makes Down syndrome individuals a vulnerable population. During extensive reading and research the realization is that the Down syndrome population requires special care and has specific needs and medical conditions through his or her lifespan. Individuals in this group, although sad to say are regarded by others as mentally retarded.
Individuals who have Down syndrome should not be called “retarded” because according to the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) who stated that “using this word is hurtful and suggests that people with disabilities are not competent” (n.d.). In this instance, regrettable so the words mental retardation are clinically accepted, which is unfortunate; however the NDSS goes on to say it is more acceptable to refer to individuals with Down syndrome as intellectually disabled. People living with this disorder depending on his or her range of disability some can live normal lives. Down syndrome individuals depending on his or her level of disability and medical condition may have to rely on family members as his or her source of transportation, health care needs, and income. Moreover, some individuals may need constant care and guidance. In this case, some individuals may be independent whereas others may live home for the rest of his or her life. In addition, these individuals living with Down syndrome has a wide array of
V.V.
NUR 440
October 24th, 2011
Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness Paper
Following long hours of thinking, outlining, investigating, and reading about different topics it was not easy to choose a vulnerable population. After going through the Neighborhood it became apparently clear that my desire is to write on the subject of the Down syndrome population. This vulnerable population is like no other. The individuals living with Down syndrome is a sub-group of people living with a genetic condition or a disorder and I wanted to know what makes Down syndrome individuals a vulnerable population. During extensive reading and research the realization is that the Down syndrome population requires special care and has specific needs and medical conditions through his or her lifespan. Individuals in this group, although sad to say are regarded by others as mentally retarded.
Individuals who have Down syndrome should not be called “retarded” because according to the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) who stated that “using this word is hurtful and suggests that people with disabilities are not competent” (n.d.). In this instance, regrettable so the words mental retardation are clinically accepted, which is unfortunate; however the NDSS goes on to say it is more acceptable to refer to individuals with Down syndrome as intellectually disabled. People living with this disorder depending on his or her range of disability some can live normal lives. Down syndrome individuals depending on his or her level of disability and medical condition may have to rely on family members as his or her source of transportation, health care needs, and income. Moreover, some individuals may need constant care and guidance. In this case, some individuals may be independent whereas others may live home for the rest of his or her life. In addition, these individuals living with Down syndrome has a wide array of
References: Allen, D. (2004). Down with discrimination. Nursing Older People, 16(7), 8. Brown, J., Dodd, K., & Vetere, A. (2010). "I Am a Normal Man": A narrative analysis of the accounts of older People with Down 's syndrome who lived in institutionalised settings. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 38(3), 217-224. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (n.d). Birth defects, Down syndrome. Retrieved October 21st, 2011 from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/DownSyndrome.html Jones, J., Hathaway, D., Gilhooley, M., Leech, A., & MacLeod, S. (2010). Down syndrome health screening--The Fife Model. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 38(1), 5-9. National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2011 from http://www.ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=74 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (n.d.) Down syndrome, Retrieved October 21, 2011 from http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Down_Syndrome.cfm Torr, J., Strydom, A., Patti, P., & Jokinen, N. (2010). Aging in Down syndrome: Morbidity and mortality. Journal of Policy & Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 7(1), 70-81.