Suffer the Little Children
... Ukraine. Some infections during pregnancy as well as malnutrition are possible sources of disabilities along with physical trauma to the mother. The types of disability from these types of bodily abuses are very wide ranging and include conditions such as spina bifida or myelomeningocele. During birth, a baby may suffer physical trauma or it may be deprived of oxygen prolonged period of time. The most common example of this is a condition known as hypoxia, which causes damaged brain cells. After birth causes are similar to a those causes during pregnancy. Malnutrition, physical injuries, and infections are a part of this list of causes; in addition to this, hormonal deficiencies and cultural factors can also affect the child’s state of mental health. These last two factors can only develop as a child’s body and mind mature. Hormones are released into the body by different organs after birth so abnormal secretions can only occur at this time. Mentally, a child will develop with stimulation from the people and the environment they live in. A childhood lacking in stimulation can cause intellectual disability. Canada has recognized that physically and mentally challenged citizens can play an important role and should be embraced by society. Statistics indicate that the percentage of disabled people has risen by 4.3% over 8 years and that the percentage of people over 65 with disabilities has increased by 15% during this time period. This increase in percentage of Canada’s population shows that challenged Canadians are living longer which is a direct result of improved healthcare as well as giving disabled people a reason to live – dignity. Canada maintains that all people should be given the opportunity to live life to its fullest. To make this possible, it must be noted that advances in the medical field have made it easier to detect problems even during pregnancy. This early detection can allow for treatment to begin as quickly as possible. In fact couples that are high risk, for hereditary disabilities, can be tested so discussions can be made even before a child is conceived. The healthcare system also treats all cases, there is no two tier system that dictates who is treated and who is not. Canadian society has made itself an excellent example of what a community should concern itself with in regards to challenged individuals. These vulnerable citizens are looked upon as valuable assets to the country. Canada shares in the responsibility of making their lives full of opportunity to succeed and ensure that injustice is not present. The Catholic faith is a firm believer in these types of ideals. The integration of challenged individuals as productive members of society also increases awareness and provides a valuable learning experience for those people who are not challenged. Canadian society provides excellent quality care facilities for disabled children. Facilities such as the Rotary Center and Kids Ability are designed to provide treatment, stimulation, and growth with the goal to make mentally and physically challenged children as much a part of society as possible. There are special events held, such as the Special Olympics, for disabled athletes that contribute to the growth and recognition of challenged individuals. There are associations and programs to support parents of these children and to continue their progress within society such as Adapted Aquatics. There are also support groups which help members of challenged families to adapt and grow with their disabled family members. Canada is a strong supporter of children in need. Living in a society in which “the life and dignity of the human person” is a key quality, enriches all Canadians. Also, there are many other countries in the world that provide similar enrichment to the lives of challenged children. Unfortunately, there are also many countries that have not progressed to the same level of care such as Bosnia, Romania, and many of the other former Soviet block countries. Children always seem to bare the burden of all tragedies. Whether it is war, natural disasters, or the slow descent into poverty, there is a relentless stripping away of the necessities of life and finally dignity and humanity. When a mental or physical challenge is added into the mix in a country like Bosnia, hopeless does not even begin to describe a child’s chance of life. Romanian doctors have the attitude that children with disabilities are useless, that they have nothing to give and should be placed in institutions (a crisis deepen). In the communist system a person’s worth was measured by their ability to contribute to the state. The state thought that individuals with disabilities were...