Serving your community is a responsibility for every individual within the community. People who volunteer get more out of providing the service then I think most of the people who receive the service.
Stepping out of your own bubble and realizing the enormous needs that can be satisfied with a helping hand. We all have the knowledge and means to provide a better community for each person we cohabitate with within our community.
Hunger, shelter, and protection are real needs that can be provided by churches, government, and neighbors. Making donations can be a wonderful start to relieve some of the burdens, but time given to an organization is invaluable.
So, start today and realize the joy in giving.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Depression
Depression is a common disorder that faces 33 to 35 million Americans at some point in their lives. This disorder effects people of all ages, social economic statuses, and either sex male or female.
The cause of this disorder is unknown. But certain tragic situations can bring the onset of signs of depression:
Constant sadness, Irritability, Hopelessness, Trouble sleeping, Low energy or fatigue, Feeling worthless or guilty for no reason, significant weight change, Difficulty concentrating, and Loss of interest in favorite activities
These symptoms must last for two weeks or more to be considered clinically depressed. Depression can be treated with medication and therapy to resolve the issues.
The cause of this disorder is unknown. But certain tragic situations can bring the onset of signs of depression:
Constant sadness, Irritability, Hopelessness, Trouble sleeping, Low energy or fatigue, Feeling worthless or guilty for no reason, significant weight change, Difficulty concentrating, and Loss of interest in favorite activities
These symptoms must last for two weeks or more to be considered clinically depressed. Depression can be treated with medication and therapy to resolve the issues.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Autism
Autism is one of the fastest growing developmental disorders. One out every three boys is diagnosed with autism.
A lack of social interaction skills lead to major signs of autism. Children with autism usually focus on physical movements instead of social activities.
More research needs to be done to develop treatment options. Social treatments within the therapy setting can make changes in behaviors to improve social skills.
A lack of social interaction skills lead to major signs of autism. Children with autism usually focus on physical movements instead of social activities.
More research needs to be done to develop treatment options. Social treatments within the therapy setting can make changes in behaviors to improve social skills.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders has become a serious problem for children under the age of 12 with anorexia; the highest rate of hospital admission is now 119%. The other fastest growing group is 45 to 64 years old growing at a rate of 48% of hospitalization stays.
Education in schools in health programs could go a long way in educating our youth about the dangers and the long term effects of eating disorders. The rates of bulimia have dropped, due to the fact of knowing the health effects.
Body image is a big problem in the United States due to the fact that editors put celebrities on magazine covers, but do not show how they really look. With airbrushing the picture is that just a picture. You wouldn’t compare yourself to a cartoon character, but when you compare yourself to these celebrities on magazines that is exactly what you are doing.
Education in schools in health programs could go a long way in educating our youth about the dangers and the long term effects of eating disorders. The rates of bulimia have dropped, due to the fact of knowing the health effects.
Body image is a big problem in the United States due to the fact that editors put celebrities on magazine covers, but do not show how they really look. With airbrushing the picture is that just a picture. You wouldn’t compare yourself to a cartoon character, but when you compare yourself to these celebrities on magazines that is exactly what you are doing.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is a pathological condition that occurs from the progession of abuse of legal and illegal drugs resulting in dependency.
Some drugs are addictive but other drugs result from a choice the individual makes in order to stimulate a desire to pleasure themselves with the drug to obtain a certain escape from life.
Trying to comprehend this kind of addiction is hard when you are not the one experiencing this desire. There must be a definite chemical imbalance when you think about how people put drug use above their families, friends and even themselves. People are living this way everyday and thinking this is a normal way of life.
The problem with prejudging these individuals leads them not to be able to receive the help they so need to preserve their lives and preserve their family units. Being social workers you must set aside personal prejudices and treat the problem.
Some drugs are addictive but other drugs result from a choice the individual makes in order to stimulate a desire to pleasure themselves with the drug to obtain a certain escape from life.
Trying to comprehend this kind of addiction is hard when you are not the one experiencing this desire. There must be a definite chemical imbalance when you think about how people put drug use above their families, friends and even themselves. People are living this way everyday and thinking this is a normal way of life.
The problem with prejudging these individuals leads them not to be able to receive the help they so need to preserve their lives and preserve their family units. Being social workers you must set aside personal prejudices and treat the problem.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Living with an Disability
Accepting the fact that I am a disabled American is hard to comprehend sometimes. I am visually impaired or legally blind, which occurred when I was in my twenties. I was married with two children and a career.
When my life turned upside down, with my diagnosis that I would probably be legally blind within a year leaving me to make decisions in my life at a very young age such as: do I want more children, how will I continue my job, and how will I take care of my family.
I remember the day so clearly, when I realized I could not see my face in the mirror, out of my left eye, I had covered my right eye because it felt like there was a hair or something obstructing my view when I noticed there was a problem. I made an eye doctor appointment and went through a number of exams, tests and saw several specialists. Leading me to a blood test to confirm my diagnosis of Leber’s, the doctor called me at work to let me know the test was positive and wanted to know if I was suicidal. I didn’t have time to think about being suicidal I had a life, and had to figure out how to handle this new challenge.
I thought I would be a stay at home mom, but most moms responsibilities are transporting their children, but this meant no more driving, I had to adapt.
I think my now ex-husband couldn’t handle being married to a blind person. He left me with two teenage children to care for. We had to figure out how to get by we moved to a condo which was in walking distance to the grocery store this gave me back my independence. The store brought challenges coming home with beans when you wanted corn.
I needed to find a way to take care of my family this brought me back to school. I knew I wanted to be able to help people who are going through difficult situations, because going through this gave me a appreciation for all the people who helped me and all the walls that I came across and learned how to climb them. I can’t believe that I am a junior at Winthrop, this is such a dream sometimes I have to pinch myself. I am so nervous when I start a new semester my hands shake the first month of classes. But I’m here and no one is going to stop me.
We disabled people have challenges to overcome but, we can succeed with a little patience and understanding. I am proud to be a person with a impairment it has definitely made me stronger.
When my life turned upside down, with my diagnosis that I would probably be legally blind within a year leaving me to make decisions in my life at a very young age such as: do I want more children, how will I continue my job, and how will I take care of my family.
I remember the day so clearly, when I realized I could not see my face in the mirror, out of my left eye, I had covered my right eye because it felt like there was a hair or something obstructing my view when I noticed there was a problem. I made an eye doctor appointment and went through a number of exams, tests and saw several specialists. Leading me to a blood test to confirm my diagnosis of Leber’s, the doctor called me at work to let me know the test was positive and wanted to know if I was suicidal. I didn’t have time to think about being suicidal I had a life, and had to figure out how to handle this new challenge.
I thought I would be a stay at home mom, but most moms responsibilities are transporting their children, but this meant no more driving, I had to adapt.
I think my now ex-husband couldn’t handle being married to a blind person. He left me with two teenage children to care for. We had to figure out how to get by we moved to a condo which was in walking distance to the grocery store this gave me back my independence. The store brought challenges coming home with beans when you wanted corn.
I needed to find a way to take care of my family this brought me back to school. I knew I wanted to be able to help people who are going through difficult situations, because going through this gave me a appreciation for all the people who helped me and all the walls that I came across and learned how to climb them. I can’t believe that I am a junior at Winthrop, this is such a dream sometimes I have to pinch myself. I am so nervous when I start a new semester my hands shake the first month of classes. But I’m here and no one is going to stop me.
We disabled people have challenges to overcome but, we can succeed with a little patience and understanding. I am proud to be a person with a impairment it has definitely made me stronger.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Preserving Families
Preserving the family through education and examples can result in wonderful outcomes in rescuing a family from turmoil. The foster care system is stretched so far with so many cases to observe and service children can get lost in the system.
Focusing on strengthening the family and teaching alternative methods of discipline can develop young parents into good parents. Showing examples of how to use patience and time management to overcome stressful situations, realizing the cost that could be associated with these education programs could be high. The starting cost could be just a parenting class in schools which is required. Assuming that every person knows how to care for a child is assuming too much. Babies are just handed over to parents with no instructions or follow-up to secure the well-being of the child.
Some of these family situations can lead to abuse and neglect just from plain ignorance in how to care for the child. Education can go a long way in preserving the family structure. Preserving the family should be first when making decisions, most families want to stay together through education and a self awareness of their behavior preserving the family can be accomplished.
Reporting abuse and neglect must be done in every situation for the well-being of the child and their personal protection from the abuser. There are too many horror stories in families and foster care system that children are abused physically and sexually in these cases the social worker must be determined to protect the child at all cost.
Focusing on strengthening the family and teaching alternative methods of discipline can develop young parents into good parents. Showing examples of how to use patience and time management to overcome stressful situations, realizing the cost that could be associated with these education programs could be high. The starting cost could be just a parenting class in schools which is required. Assuming that every person knows how to care for a child is assuming too much. Babies are just handed over to parents with no instructions or follow-up to secure the well-being of the child.
Some of these family situations can lead to abuse and neglect just from plain ignorance in how to care for the child. Education can go a long way in preserving the family structure. Preserving the family should be first when making decisions, most families want to stay together through education and a self awareness of their behavior preserving the family can be accomplished.
Reporting abuse and neglect must be done in every situation for the well-being of the child and their personal protection from the abuser. There are too many horror stories in families and foster care system that children are abused physically and sexually in these cases the social worker must be determined to protect the child at all cost.
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