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Running head: Paper #2

Maria-Antonieta Gomez

HD 361

Social and Political Contexts of Human Development

Professor: Gimel Rogers

Paper #2

09/19/2017
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Paper #2

Talking about to be an individual with special needs is an issue that has to be taken

seriously. A person with one, some or many special needs is a special person indeed, which

include: blind, deaf-mute, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, people in wheel chair,

individuals with mental problems and even people with high level of stress, and many more

categories.

This society must be call them, people with especial abilities because this people

only require a different learning or process to develop their skills and abilities in order to

achieve their goals. These people are the most vulnerable because they need constant

support and confidence in their ability to find ways to grow and be fully realized.

This people belong to our community and to our society, and must be included and

involved in all activities such political, medical, environmental, cultural, educational, etc.

Unfortunately, sometimes our society do not give the best options to include and make part

to this community. There are not enough interpreters for deaf-mute people in church, legal

courts, schools, etc. There are limited of braille system for blind people as well. Public

schools are not well prepare to receive students with special needs, and many students’

needs to wait lots of time to attend school and start their education. Moreover, there are not

enough parking spaces in the parking lots, there are limited spaces designated in theaters,

stadiums and malls among others. There are many limitations for people who suffer some

disability. I am writing this journal under my own experience and with conversations that I

have had with people who are experienced or suffering some disability like me.
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Paper #2

According to Johnson (2006), P.38-39 Privilege, Power and Differences “ Like privilege,

oppression results from the social relationship between privileged and oppressed categories,

which makes it possible for individuals to vary in their personal experience of being

oppressed (“I’ve never been oppressed as a woman”). This also means, however, that in

order to have the experience of being oppressed, it is necessary to belong to an oppressed

category. In other words, men cannot be oppressed as men, just as whites cannot be

oppressed as whites or heterosexuals as heterosexuals, because a group can be oppressed

only if there exist another group with the power to oppress them”. This example is perfect

and clear to me, to understand that even a privileged person or group that supposed to be a

superior can suffer discrimination and just because it has a disability. I realize now, that in

this society always will be oppression, but it is in our hands to modify this type of negative

oppression.

In spite of victimizing us as disability person, we have the talent to survive and fight

again this society. I believe that there is no limitation even if we have any disability. It is in

our hands, mind and heart to achieve any goal that we set. There are many stories of people

that have excelled professional, occupational, and emotionally and overcoming any barrier

as well. For instance, Nick Vujicic is a man who was born without arms nor legs. He is a

motivational speaker for children and adults. He have said that the key to become

successful in life is to be thankful, dream big and never quit. He is a pure and clear example

of persistence. I really admire people like him because they are a reason for us to continue

in this journey. Therefore, there are no excuses to feel excluded or rejected from society.

There are many good things to achieve and to learn in this path called life.
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Paper #2

Quote:

Success in life is not measured by what you achieve, but by the obstacles you overcome.

By Mahatma Gandhi.
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References

Johnson, A. G. (2018) Privilege, power and difference. New York, NY: McGraw Hill
Education.