The History of Disabilities

Foundations of Occupation-Centered Practice is one of the classes I am enrolled in on my journey to becoming an OT. During the past few classes we have been discussing the history of how and when OT began, some important legislature dates that have affected how OT's work, and some defining qualities of a great OT. This past class period we had the privilege of listening to Dr. Bruce Keisling speak about the history of disabilities.

The presentation he gave was eye-opening to me because we caught only a glimpse of how people with disabilities have been treated in the not-so-distant past. To learn that the states' governments told parents with children who had disabilities to hand them over to the state and go about their lives is startling. Society did not see, what they called at the time, "the feeble-minded," as people or humans. After hearing some of these stories and seeing pictures, it made me wonder why people were so hateful towards these vulnerable populations not even 100 years ago. 

However, the mood of the class period started to shift towards the conclusion of the presentation. This hatred towards people with disabilities began to take a turn once former President John F. Kennedy was elected. JFK had a sister with a disability, who had a procedure done in secret, which led to her father institutionalizing her. It was around this time when Eunice Kennedy Shriver posted an article in the Saturday Evening Post called, "Hope for Retarded Children." This article shed a bright light on the equality rights for people with disabilities. As time went on after this article was posted, it led to other laws and legislation for the care and equal rights of people with disabilities. It is  the responsibility of OTs to encourage each client, disabled or not, that with the right mentality, a strong will to fight, and perseverance, (i.e. Mamba Mentality) they can accomplish any goals they set for themselves.