Blog 5 - Helen Keller

Helen Keller

Helen was blind and deaf American author and activist who lived from June 27 1880 to June 1 1968. Keller lost her sight and hearing as a 19 month old and despite her disabilities obtained a bachelor's degree and became an activist for disability rights (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2019). She learnt to associate objects with words and eventually was able to learn how to speak and lip read by placing her hands on the lips and throat of the speaker (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2019). Despite a disability that some might consider impossible to succeed with, Keller wrote 6 books and conducted lectures on behalf of the American Foundation for the blind (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2019). She established a 2 million endowment fund for the American Foundation for the blind as well and she co-founded the American Civil Liberties (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2019). Keller played a big role in having the blind from the disabled asylums and organized commissions for the blind in 30 states by the year of 1937 (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2019).

I don’t feel as though an explanation of why I find Helen Keller an inspiration would do her enough justice. However, I view Helen Keller as an inspiration because despite her very complex disabilities she didn’t let anything stop her. It would have been very easy for her to determine that learning to communicate would be too difficult and giving up but instead of this she turned her disability into her strength and achieved more than most abled bodied individuals. Despite her blind and deafness she advocated for others like herself, wrote books that inspired other individuals with disabilities and amazed others without and began paving the way for disabled Americans. All whilst under the thumb of the patriarchy. To me Helen Keller is, was and will always be one of the most incredible and influential humans to walk this earth. As her mentor and teacher Alexander Bell said of Keller “I feel that in this child I have seen more of the Divine than has been manifest in anyone I ever met before.” (Helen Keller Biography).

Citations

Helen Keller Biography:  . Biography Online. https://www.biographyonline.net/women/helen-keller.html.

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2019, December 6). Helen Keller. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Helen-Keller.

Blog 4 - Violence Against Women

                                                   How can we stop assaults against women?

   

    

    I believe the first and one of the most important steps in stopping assaults against women is spreading awareness for the prevalence of violence against women.Too many times you hear of women who didn't leave because "he didn't mean to hit me" or "hes a good guy, he just got angry". I believe if domestic violence victims are more aware of how common their situation is, if they hear stories that are similar to theirs and they can learn how badly the situation turned out for others, they just may be able to make a better decision for themselves. The more awareness we bring to the topic of violence against women and the more we spread the word that them hurting you, even just once, is too much, the more likely we are to save women. 

      Another important step in stopping assaults against women is making more people aware of the warning signs of abuse. The more people that are aware of the signs to look for in a loved one, coworker or friend, the more help victims of assault will receive. More than just knowing the signs it is also important to educate people on the steps to take if they do notice signs of abuse in someone they know. One of the most important steps being to make sure the abused individual is aware that they can trust you and that they have your support. Leaving an abusive relationship often takes time and can be very daunting, knowing they have people who support and care about them can go along way in ensuring they make the decision to leave.

    It is also important to ensure that we teach boys from a young age that women are their equals and that they are to be respected as they wish to be respected in turn. Too many times abuse comes from men who were never taught how to properly manage their anger, saw abuse against women themselves or who were taught to see women as lesser than them. Parents take on a very important role when they decide to raise children and ensuring that from a young age they are given appropriate anger management techniques can go along way in the prevention of violence about women.

    Violence against women, and men, is a very real and scary thing. I don't believe there is a one way fixes all solution for ending violence against women but I do strongly believe that the above mentioned methods would be really beneficial places to start. We are all accountable for ensuring there is an end to violence against women, and people in general, and educating ourselves is a crucial way to enact this change.

Blog 3 - Mental Health

    

    A big thing that I learnt from the self quiz was that suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 15-34 in the USA (Quiz - Mental Health - CDC 2018). I know that suicide is a big killer and that a lot of people die each year from suicide but I was not aware that it ranked so highly in the cause of death polls. I also found out that half of all mental illness occurs before the age of 14 and that 3/4 of mental health occurs before the age of 24 (Quiz - Mental Health - CDC 2018). It was really shocking and upsetting to learn that at the tender age of 14 some children are facing mental battles that are challenging even for mature adults. It is heart breaking that mental health is as underrated as it is. I was a little less surprised to learn that 3/4 of mental illness occurs before the age of 24. For me personally 17-20 were some of the most mentally tough years of my life. From graduating high school to working and going to college, moving away from home, all these big changes and new stressors in my life caused my mental health to decline. I know this is similar for a lot of people in this age bracket and I think more mental health resources need to be available to people during these big transitions. 

    Yes I have known many people with mental illness. I have seen Anxiety disorder take a free spirited and happy individual and turn them into someone I didn't even recognize. They went from being a super productive individual who could run errands, keep a house hold, juggle multiple tasks at once, enjoyed exercise and going to do things, to someone who preferred to stay home, or not stay out too long, who didn't have the energy to workout and was scared to go out in fears that something bad would happen to them or their family. Someone who would have panic attacks that threw her into fits of rage and have her yelling at the people she loved the most, not because she wanted to but because she was sick. She had people tell her to fix herself before she lost everyone she loved but not many people were willing to help her do that. She lost friends because they thought she was too busy for them but in reality she was just drowning in her mental health, trying to juggle everything on her plate and feeling very alone. It was heart breaking to watch someone I loved so much suffer so badly and not know how to help her. 

    From knowing this person with Anxiety disorder I have learnt that it is not just a mental illness that people use for attention. I have learnt that it's not just something that someone can wish away, it takes a lot of work and whilst a lot of people run from individuals with mental health issues in fears of making things worse or saying the wrong thing, what they really need is for us to run towards them. To help them out of the hole that they are in, sometimes all it takes is for someone to sit with you in the middle of an Anxiety attack and tell you that they're here and they have you. We need more people like that in this world. There is no cure for Anxiety disorder and I have to check on this individual daily but she's doing really well right now, all she needed was to know that someone cared and was willing to listen. 

                                                                             Citations

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018, January 26). Quiz - Mental Health - CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/quiz/index.htm.

Blog 2 - "The Talk"

   

   "The Talk"

    Who: Female, 11 years old

    Where: Home

    As this is a young female the individuals mother will be doing most of the talking. However, it is important that her father also be present so that the individuals knows that she can go to him with any questions she may have. It is important that parents and their children have a relationship that allows the child to come to them with questions, fears or concerns, however uncomfortable they may be. This could be the difference between STD transfer or teen pregnancy. Before writing this dialog I accessed the Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) Sexual Health Curriculum Guide and determined important things to incorporate into this discussion. 

    Mother: I would like for you to sit down, your father and I have something we would like to talk to you about. As you're beginning to get older and you may be finding yourself becoming interested in the same or opposite sex, it is important for us to talk to you about intimacy. I'm sure you've started to hear people talking around school about kissing and potentially even sex so we want to make you aware of the risks and things you need to be mindful of. Now your father and I do not condone nor wish for you to partake in any sexual activity outside of marriage, however, it is your body and ultimately you decide what you will do with it so we want to make sure you are informed. Have you ever heard of sexually transmitted diseases or STD's?

    Daughter: No.

    Mother: These are diseases that can be transferred from one person to another when the proper protections aren't taken during sex. Some of these diseases can be treated, others cannot and can be life threatening. Some STD's can be transmitted through both oral and vaginal sex so it is important that both you and your partner be screened for STD's before you engage in any sexual activity. Do you know what oral sex is?

    Daughter: No.

    Mother: Oral sex is using your mouth for sexual favors pertaining to another persons genitals. Are you aware of how people get pregnant?

    Daughter: No.

    Mother: Each month a female produces an egg, sometimes they can produce more than one which is how some people get twins, but for the most part people release one egg. A female has what is called a fertile period that lasts for about 5-7 days. In this period, if a male and female have sexual intercourse and a male is not wearing a condom, sperm have the potential to make their way towards a females egg. If the sperm enters the females egg, the female becomes pregnant. Does this help you to understand why it is so important, if you do decide to have sex, for your sexual partner to wear a condom?

    Daughter: Yes.

    Mother: Because not wearing a condom can lead to what?

    Daughter: STD's and pregnancy. 

    Mother:  Yes. There are other birth control methods that you can also use, however, these will not protect you against STD's so it is very important that you and your partner both still get tested and continue to use condoms. I will send you a link to your phone so you can further explore birth control methods, now or in the future, and you can talk to me at any time if you have questions or decided this is the course of action you would like to take. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/birth-control/in-depth/birth-control-options/art-20045571

    Mother: I also want to talk to you about something else that is very important. Consent. Do you know what consent means?

    Daughter: Yes.

    Mother: Good. So you know that giving consent means that you are allowing something to happen. I want you to know that consent pertains to sex as well. If someone ever tries to force you to do any kind of sexual act that you do not consent to, this is called rape. Rape is very very serious. It is very important that if you or anyone that you know is raped you tell me, your father and or the authorities. Which also leads me to, do you think it is ever okay to make fun of someone for sexual activity or lack there of? Meaning making fun of someone for doing something or not doing something sexually related?

    Daughter: No.

    Mother: Right. It is not okay for you to make fun of anyone period, and especially not for sexual activities they may or may not have committed. If you experience or witness this, it is very important that you inform an adult. This is not something that you should ignore or participate in, ever, okay?

    Daughter: Okay. 

    Mother: So I know this is a very uncomfortable thing for you to talk about but I want you to know that you never have to be afraid to come to either me or your father with questions or concerns. Our wish for you is that you would wait to have sex until you are in a committed relationship and are much older. But it is very important that you are well informed and have the resources to make your own decisions. Do you have any questions for us? You don't have to ask them now, you can think about everything you have just heard and ask questions later if you would like?

    Daughter: How can I make sure I do not get an STD.

    Mother: The best way to ensure you do not get an STD is to always use protection, such as a condom and abstain from sex with your partner until you have both been tested for STD's. If you ever suspect you have contracted an STD it is very important that you get it checked out because there could be negative long term effects if you do not. I will also send you a link to a guide for safer sex and again you can come to me with any questions you may have. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/safer-sex-guidelines Any other questions?

    Daughter: Not right now, but I will read those articles and come to you with any questions.

    Mother: Okay.

                                                                         Citations

CDC. (2012). Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) Sexual Health Curriculum Guide.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020, February 6). Birth control options: Things to consider. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/birth-control/in-depth/birth-control-options/art-20045571.

Safer Sex Guidelines. Safer Sex Guidelines | Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/safer-sex-guidelines.

Blog 1 - Global Trends

 

     I was thoroughly surprised by a majority of the answers in the Global Trends Quiz, however, three particular answers stood out the most. The first two answers that caught my attention stated that by 2035 there will be a 2.5:1 ratio of taxpayers to retirees and that these said taxpayers would have to pay 31.9% in taxes just to be able to cover public pensions and health benefits (NOVA | World in the Balance | Global Trends Quiz (Answer Key)). This is a terrifying statistic for future American workers, particularly those that would just be graduating college and now not only have pressing student loans but also lose over 30% of their paycheck to cover retirees. It is similarly scary for retirees who could potentially miss out on retirement that they were counting on due to lack of funds. Another answer that was shocking to me was that baby girls born in Japan have a life expectancy of 84 years, whereas baby girls born in Kenya have a life expectancy of 46 years, that is a 38 year difference (NOVA | World in the Balance | Global Trends Quiz (Answer Key)). This is a heartbreaking reality and shines light on the fact that as a first world country we need to be doing something to help increase the life expectancy of people in third world countries.
    I believe the biggest health problem that women face currently is that 527,000 women die from pregnancy related issues in the developing world every year (NOVA | World in the Balance | Global Trends Quiz (Answer Key)). Pregnancy in the developing world holds a 1:61 chance of maternal death because of lack of resources such as birth control, prenatal care and adequate medical resources (NOVA | World in the Balance | Global Trends Quiz (Answer Key)). This is compared to a 1:2800 change of maternal death in development parts of the world, who have access to birth control, prenatal care and adequate medical resources (NOVA | World in the Balance | Global Trends Quiz (Answer Key)). Women everywhere should have the same high level prenatal and family planning care, regardless of their economic standing. Childbirth is something that a majority of women will encounter at some point in their lifetime, especially in developing countries where there is a lack of birth control or means to prevent pregnancy. Due to it’s high prevalence and high mortality rate, pregnancy related deaths are one of the, if not, the most pressing women’s health issues today. There shouldn’t be any place in the world where birth control and the best possible health care isn’t available to women.  

Brink, Susan. “New Guidelines Establish The Rights Of Women When Giving Birth.” 90.1 FM WABE, 2 Mar. 2018, www.wabe.org/new-guidelines-establish-the-rights-of-women-when-giving-birth/.

    One belief about Women’s health that I wish would change is that our bodies react the same to medication as a Man’s. As seen in the ted talk, Why Medicine Often Has Dangerous Side Effects for Women by Alyson McGregor, most medicines we see on the market today are designed and tested on and for men. The popular, and extremely dangerous, belief that women and men are biologically alike is outdated and could potentially be putting women in life threatening situations (McGregor, 2015). Life saving drugs and treatments that we as women put our trust in, believing whole heartedly that they were designed to give us the best shot at life, are not even designed with our life and safety in mind. This needs to be changed, clinical studies of drugs need to start taking place with women. All drugs that are on the market and have been tested solely on men, need to be retested on women. If and when side effects not found in men become apparent in women, alterations to these drugs need to be made. It is not enough to throw our hands up and say, my bad, with future drugs we’ll consider women, the mistakes that have already been made need to be fixed.

                                                                                Citations

    Brink, Susan. “New Guidelines Establish The Rights Of Women When Giving Birth.” 90.1 FM WABE, 2 Mar. 2018, www.wabe.org/new-guidelines-establish-the-rights-of-women-when-giving-birth/. 

     McGregor, Alyson. Why Medicine Often Has Dangerous Side Effects for Women. Ted Talks, 5 Nov. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=sJCBM9ajA5s&feature=emb_logo. 

    “NOVA | World in the Balance | Global Trends Quiz (Answer Key).” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, Apr. 2004, www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/worldbalance/tren-answers.html.