Professionalism vs Disability 12

[1DMF]

Hi,

I noticed this forum and the premise of what discussions are meant to take place

The words we use and how we use them often reflect our professionalism.

As I have recently been prelimilary diagnosed with Dyspraxia, I was wonder how this fitted in with the concept that our words and the way we use them reflect our profesionalism.

I often find I use the wrong words, mispell them, transpose them and even sometimes offend quite accidently and unintentionally.

Many based on this would say it's because I am unprofessional, especialy using the concept of this forum...

Well now it turns out it's because I have a disability, so wouldn't assuming someones professionalism based on their literary skills actualy be discrimination.

How does one change or improve these skills if it is based on a physical way the brain is wired, if you are born with dyspraxia, there is nothing that can be done to change the way your brain interprets things or the way you express yourself.

You cannot always tell that some one may be suffering from Dyslexia or Dyspraxia, and I know we all make assumptions, concious or not, so how can one deal with this?

You cannot teach someone with torrets to stop swearing or someone with parkinson disease to stop shaking.

So how do you go about changing something which is inherently hard wired wrong.







"In complete darkness we are all the same, only our knowledge and wisdom separates us, don't let your eyes deceive you."

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[SantaMufasa]

The world regards Dr. Stephen Hawking as one of the great minds in history. He has a severe disability. Neither he, nor anyone else can "go about changing something which is inherently hard wired wrong" in his being.

Dr. Hawking excels despite his challenges. No one regards his as "unprofessional".

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I provide low-cost, remote Database Administration services: www.dasages.com]
“Beware of those that seek to protect you from harm or risk. The cost will be your freedoms and your liberty.”

 

[1DMF]

indeed , he is an exceptional man, considered the greatest physicist since Einstien.

But the fact still remains that having 'social cues' deficiency does affect peoples opinion and those who suffer from them, this forum even implies that in its description.

Professor Hawkins in an acceptional case, and his diablilty is visibly obvious, but if use him as a bench mark , that means to progress and have your disability put to one side, one has to be a genius mathematician and physicist.

So what tips / techniques or advice does any one have to at least help improve one self without having to wear a disabled badge on your sleeve.



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[kwbMitel]

I had to look up Dyspraxia before responding. My research indicates that Dyspraxia is primarily a motor control issue with the nervous system. Speech issues also occur. As in SantaMufasa's example regarding Dr. Stephen Hawking, the disability is evident visually as well as auditory. Anyone who forms an negative opinion regarding another person with an obvious disability simply on the words they speak or the way they act would be considered prejudicial. Prejudice is not a quality I would consider professional.

Things become much more complicated, as may be the issue in your case, when the disability is not obvious. A stutterer is obvious, someone with Tourettes may not be. I myself have had to overcome several "Issues" that have made it difficult for me to communicate clearly. In fact. it is one of the reasons I participate in this forum, and a couple of others as well. My goal is to find means to compensate for my "Weaknesses" by modifying my methods.

It appears to be working for me. Over the last 10 years, the people who knew me before, and still know me now, are amazed at what they perceive as a change in my manner. They even refer to Old Kevin vs. New Kevin. They don't see all the hard work and effort every single day to be New Kevin. I'm ok with this, but I know Old Kevin is still there if I stop trying.

The old adage applies:
Let me Accept The Things I Cannot Change,
Give me Courage To Change The Things I Can,
And The Wisdom To Know The Difference.

*******************************************************
Occam's Razor - All things being equal, the simplest solution is the right one.

 

[CajunCenturion]

That's true Dave, but there is one very fundamental difference. Dr. Hawking's disability is physical and visible, whereas dyslexia or dyspraxia only present themselves through behavior. In other words, you can simply look at Dr. Hawking and see that he's disabled. You can't judge someone with either of these two disabilities until they speak or write and then you're left with an ambiguous judgment. Is the quality of their words based in ignorance or laziness, if you will, or in disability?


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[kwbMitel]

1DMF - Responding to your second post. "So what tips / techniques or advice does any one have to at least help improve one self without having to wear a disabled badge on your sleeve."

Do your research:
- Listen to what others say about you without bias
- Self assess your behaviour
- Read self help books

Change:
- what you can when you can
- One step at a time, not all changes will work

Accept
- That you are different and can/will be treated differently (rightly or wrongly)
- That the only one you can change is yourself

*******************************************************
Occam's Razor - All things being equal, the simplest solution is the right one.

 

[1DMF]

Dyspraxia is primarily a motor control issue with the nervous system. Speech issues also occur.

this is only a part of the disability, it is intrinsically linked with dyslexia and it is to do with learning dificulties as well as motor function.

Exactly my point Cajun!

"In complete darkness we are all the same, only our knowledge and wisdom separates us, don't let your eyes deceive you."

"If a shortcut was meant to be easy, it wouldn't be a shortcut, it would be the way!"

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[kwbMitel]

1DMF - I think you were quoting me above. My primary purpose when making that statement was to get you to tell us if your disability had any physical manifestations that might be obvious. You'll note that in my 2nd paragraph of the same post, I assume that your disability is not obvious and proceed from there.

*******************************************************
Occam's Razor - All things being equal, the simplest solution is the right one.

 

[1DMF]

Thanks Mitel,

It's certainly something I now need to look into, I was a bit overwhelemed when the OU only came to evaluate dispensation in my forth coming exam for my Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, and after 10 miuntes of speaking with me turned to their collegue and said "Dypraxia"!

I was like , huh? what?...

Now I have Dragon Speaking for writing my TMA's and Claro Read for reading stuff back to me, but when my imminent exam is over, they wish to do full tests regarding my Dyspraxia / Dyslexia.

Funny how someone within 10 minutes can diagnose this, when no-one at school ever did, but it certainly explains a few things and the difficulties I had at school.

Luckily it looks like I've found a forum where i can discuss this openly and honestly without being judged or ridiculed and hopefully like you eventually find the NEW me ;-)






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"If a shortcut was meant to be easy, it wouldn't be a shortcut, it would be the way!"

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[kwbMitel]

Don't accept any diagnosis without a second opinion. In all likelyhood, if your symptoms are obvious enough to read after only 10 minutes then the chances of correct diagnosis are high. However, you may have something else that manifests in the same way as Dyspraxia or the diagnoser may have some bias towards this diagnosis.

My brother was diagnosed and treated for Schizophrenia for over 30 years, and only after he had a complete mental breakdown "Disassociative Event" did they re-evaluate and find he was Bi-Polar.

You want to know how they confirmed the original diagnosis? They gave him drugs that were proven to be effective against Schizophenia and monitored the results. Behaviour modification occured, therefore he was Schizo. Anyone familiar with Bi-Polarism would recognise the behaviour modifications were extreme and opposite. (Bi-Polar).

I discussed this "incompetence" with my father in law. He happens to have Parkinsons. He chuckled and said they use the exact same method to confirm Parkinsons. Give you drugs, you respond, you have X.

Bottom line, Mental health IS NOT an exact science.

*******************************************************
Occam's Razor - All things being equal, the simplest solution is the right one.

 

[1DMF]

Well My mum for one doesn't beleive it, but I get the feeling that could be partly her own insecurity with feeling as though she has let me down or failed as a mother.

Reading Wiki (yeah I know pinch of salt), I do have many syptoms albeit minute, but I will wait till the full assesment and diagnosis before I go down the path of second opinions and support groups!

I'm not even sure what it means even if I do have it, i fell like saying "it's a bit late telling me now i'm 39!".

Who knows where all this is going to lead, but if it gets me help with my university diploma course over then next 3 years, i certainly won't look a gift horse in the mouth!

"In complete darkness we are all the same, only our knowledge and wisdom separates us, don't let your eyes deceive you."

"If a shortcut was meant to be easy, it wouldn't be a shortcut, it would be the way!"

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[traingamer]

The words we use and how we use them often reflect our professionalism.

Often is the key word here. We all make typographical and usage mistakes - on this site (and many others) they are uncorrectable once we hit Submit Post.

Just remember, it is not the only method people use to determine professionalism.

Greg
People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use. Kierkegaard

 

[2ffat]

...on this site (and many others) they are uncorrectable once we hit Submit Post.

That's why I always use the Preview Post button. ;-)

Also, if you hit the red-flag link and explain what you did and why you want it changed, The Establishment may fix it for you.



James P. Cottingham
^{I'm number 1,229!
I'm number 1,229!}

 

[1DMF]

yeah, but this is the 21st century and this has to be one of the few forums left on the internet you cannot edit.

Hey Ho, mustn't grumble!



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[Sympology]

There is a well know phrase.

"Society Disables"

If a person cannot get to the upper floor of a building becuase they are in a wheelcahir, does the fault lie with the disabled person, or with the designer of the building?
If you design a website without thinking of the visually impaired, then you are denying them the chance to particpate. Very often it is due to ignorance or lazyness, rather malicious intent.
Before web master leap down my throat, think about the pitcures on a website. is it labelled pic12345.jpg, or do you correclty name the picture placeholder, say Girl on a bike.
This simple changes makes all the difference.
Going by the example of the wheelchair. UK law says businesses must make resonable allowences for disabled people. There was a big uproar when this came in, but I'll give a classic example of a work around.
A bank was a grade 2 listed building. It could not replace the steps out side, not only becuase it was listed, but also, the ramp would stick out to far into the street. The workaround? A buzzer. That's it. Someone in a wheelchair would ring it and a member of staff would come outside and let them in a side door. Not hard really.
Bear in mind as well, that sometimes, one "disability" can lead to an enhancement of another. My nice is dyslexic and struggled at school, failing most exams. Was she worried, not really. She had a passion for horse riding and now is in (arguably) the best horse riding show in the world. A simple case of "physical" over "mental" abilty.

Robert Wilensky:
We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.

 

[1DMF]

Before web master leap down my throat, think about the pitcures on a website. is it labelled pic12345.jpg, or do you correclty name the picture placeholder, say Girl on a bike.

The workaround? A buzzer.

With that in mind, they could always ring or email and ask what the image is -

But seriously , I do agree and where possible I try to make my markup valid / semantic and W3C accessibility guidelines concious, but you're right, most don't even realise how something as trivial as an alt attribute or wraping everything in bold/strong/emphasis can have a serious impact on the disabled!

"In complete darkness we are all the same, only our knowledge and wisdom separates us, don't let your eyes deceive you."

"If a shortcut was meant to be easy, it wouldn't be a shortcut, it would be the way!"

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[Sympology]

Back to the origianl posters point...

If you see someone late at night, they are aggressive, have slurred speech and don't seem "with it"

Drunk?

Or maybe a diabetic in need of help.

I know, I dated one once and nearly had to floor a policeman because he was insiting she was drunk and trying to bundle her in the back of a van. One simple check would of shown she was wearing a diabetic id tag. Something this copper should really of known about, but he already had made his mind up, despite my protests.

the only people without predejuce are kids. We train them to be ignorant. People in the UK may be all to aware of the scandal around the CeBeeies presenter who has half an arm missing, there was outrage from "parents" who said it frightend their children, which we know is utter rubbish. You tell a young child that some people have arms missing, or legs, or look different, they will accept it, it may be emabrrasing, but explain and they will accept.
One thing I give the BBC, they are fantastic when it comes to kids TV not conforming to the "normal" way of doing things, shows like "Something Special" are great examples that all us adults could learn from.

Robert Wilensky:
We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.

 

[1DMF]

Shame you didn't floor the b*****d! I hate coppers, but that's another story!

You just have to watch those cops with camera shows to see how appauling the police force behave, I thought these shows were meant to portray them in a better light, but to me I see it having the opposite effect.

I had a similar experience with someone who was going into anaphylactic shock due to a peanut allergy, the dumb copper thought they had OD or was having a bad trip or something, but he couldn't explain why they had an epi pen with them, athsma inhalers and had exzma steroid cream!!!

some people when they get an ailment, they get the lot, the last thing you need is an unqualified copper throwing their weight around!

Dunno about CeBeebies, I don't have kids , so don't watch those channels! But I beleive you are right, Kids as very accepting and unprejudice... this usually comes latter on from parents views and peer pressure!






"In complete darkness we are all the same, only our knowledge and wisdom separates us, don't let your eyes deceive you."

"If a shortcut was meant to be easy, it wouldn't be a shortcut, it would be the way!"

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[kjv1611]

I really don't think saying that someone should have floored a "copper" to be in very good taste at all.

Just like we have to realize that different people have different disabilities, life situations, etc, we have to realize what a police officer has at stake. In our day, they have to be extremely cautious about what force they use when. If they mess up, it can be the end of their career at best, or their life at worst.

Police officers are the front line of keeping criminals under wraps, and the politicians who make the laws which officers protect, make the laws such that it is often difficult for a police officer to always do "the right thing."

We do not see most of the stuff our officers have to deal with. For that, I am thankful. If you had to personally deal with multiple crack addicts, murderers, thieves, etc, then you might occasionally slip up as well when you encounter someone giving the same visible symptoms, and possibly act too quickly in arresting one.

Are there bad police officers? Certainly. There is no profession free from "bad people" filling the roles, unfortunately. But never use that one or few to label the rest.

 

[CajunCenturion]

Good points all, but let's stay focused on this topic with respect to this forum.
Thanks.

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