Hydrocephalus

I believe that people who have disabilities should not be seen as anything less than you or I. Before I understood about disabilities and the individuals who have them, I thought that they didn't want to speak with me, and that I shouldn't interact with them. Now I know that even if they are not exactly like the people you know in your everyday life, everyone is unique and different. They can be just as wonderful as any other person. Any individual can be independent, even if they need assistance with certain activities. Overall, I see no reason to set those with disabilities aside from the rest of our brilliant population, and I hope to inspire other people who were also uneducated about disabilities.

I have collected many facts about hydrocephalus, and will share them with you. First of all, hydrocephalus is caused by an overly high amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) trapped in one or more of the ventricles inside the brain. CSF applies pressure upon the brain, and this pressure grows overtime. If left untreated, hydrocephalus will become deadly. Some of the most common symptoms of hydrocephalus are painful headaches, and an inability to control bladder. Multiple surgery choices are available for those with hydrocephalus. After a shunt placement, the patient will no longer have these symptomatic issues, unless they have a shunt malfunction.

Like all individuals with disabilities, those with hydrocephalus wish to be treated like everyone else. The interesting fact, however, is that once individuals receive a shunt placement or surgery, they do not really act any differently then anyone else. They will have no symptomatic issues unless they have a shunt malfunction. While they will still be watched closer than other individuals for any problems, they usually have no major differences from other people. Unless their hydrocephalus was caused by another disability, in which case, they may still have the problems from their original disability. You could be in a room with someone who has hydrocephalus, and never know.

When I was enlightened by the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities (LCBDD), I was overjoyed to receive their impressive knowledge, and to know that there were individuals who spent their lives assisting people with disabilities. They helped me realize that we were not alone in caring about these people finally receiving equality. After hearing their stories, I was moved to devote myself to the assistance of disabled individuals.

One guest that came and provided deep insight towards living with disabilities was Zach Werner. He wrote the book "God Is Walking With Me Through My Disability". I have always desired to become an author, but that was not the only inspiring achievement that he accomplished, he also told us his unique story. When Zach was a kid, he was bullied and ignored because of his Cerebral Palsy. Zach reminded us that even though he had a disability, he could still accomplish wonderful and impressive feats.

When Kelly Elmlinger came and spoke to us, I feel it's safe to say that we were all inspired. She is a devoted paralympian, and also an amputee. She worked in the army, and now spends her time training for the Paralympics. She told us that once, another woman came up to her and commented that "women shouldn't look like that" because of her prosthetic leg. This action may not seem that drastic or terrible, but it shows that there are still people who think they are better than others, or that others are "wrong". The fact that these people are willing to speak cruelly straight to others faces is just ridiculous. This kind of behavior is unacceptable, and should be educated against.

To help our various communities become equal places for all people, you must join our cause. One way to do so is to donate to hard-working organizations like Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities or the LCBDD. It is fairly simple to find organizations near you that help disabled individuals just by using Google or other search engines. Another way to help is by providing direct assistance, you can do this by volunteering at schools and other places that help the uniquely abled.

One of the best ways to become an advocate for individuals with disabilities is by contacting the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities and asking if you can volunteer or help in any other way. If you don't have the time or ability to do either of those options, then simply being aware is still helpful; if you notice someone being bullied or denied service because of a disability, then try to assist them.

After going through a highly informative unit about unique abilities, I have learned many interesting facts. However, the most valuable truth I learned is that individuals with disabilities simply desire to be treated like everyone else; they are exactly who they are meant to be, just like the rest of us. You cannot catch disabilities from others like a disease, so there is no reason to shun them or run from them. Do not treat others with disabilities like they are less than anyone else, because they never will be anything less than you.

Now we have come to the end of this book, but this is not the end of our cause. Remember to be respectful and kind to all people, no matter how they look or how they act.

I would like to thank the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities for showing me that we have more to care about then just ourselves. I could list a thousand more organizations and people to thank for changing the way I understand disabilities, but I'll just say that this has been a truly enlightening experience for me.

We are all together here together in this wonderful world, so we need to do more than just share, we need to care.