Other Health Impairments
- lperry94
- Nov 3, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 20, 2020
Children who experience chronic health conditions are true champions in life. Many of these children go through much pain, uncertainty and fear. I love the Ted Talk with Sam Berns, link attached below. He has Progeria disease, which is an extremely rare autosomal genetic disorder. The symptoms cause aspects of aging at a very early age, effecting the body in many areas such as cardiovascular and kidney problems. Sam, with his beautiful soul and determination and having empowering support around him, is an example of how to thrive in life, even when facing chronic health impairments.
It is so important that schools know how to best serve students going through challenging times due to health impairments. The list is long for types of health impairments. Diabetes, allergies, asthma, epilepsy, cystic fibrosis, colitis and cancer are just a few to mention here. In some provinces, students with mental health can also be included in the health impairment category.
Many of these students will miss a lot of school due to medical reasons and it is important for the teacher and the school to find ways to best support their learning and staying connected to their peers. The social and emotional aspects are so important for these children in their recovery and on-going journey with the health condition. Working with the student and their parents, or care givers, to understand what is needed to best support them through their journey is of utmost importance. Teachers must understand the challenges they face and do their best to facilitate smooth transitions from hospital back to school. Medications can affect the child’s concentration and they may also experience social and emotional difficulties, behaviour problems, depression, withdrawl, anxiety, and poor peer relations.
Sam’s philosophy for a happy life included these two key points:
1. Be ok with what you ultimately can’t do, because there is so much you CAN do.
2. Surround yourself with people you want to be around
Inclusive classrooms implies that we focus on what the students unique needs are and what they CAN do. We strive to provide ways to meet them where they are at and feed their learning and growth through differentiated learning methods, universal design and various accommodations, adaptations and modifications. This will create a positive environment for all students to enjoy and thrive in pursuing their dreams.
Facebook Challenge Activity:
Take 5 min to listen to a gratitude meditation or/and spend three minutes to write/draw/think of 3 things that you are deeply grateful for in your life. Really feel the gratitude, the appreciation, the joy that these things bring to you. Settle into these feelings and breathe, allowing your heart to become full of light, love and gratitude.
Gratitude Meditation for kids but adults enjoy it too (5 min)
There are many other gratitude meditations out there if you google it :)
Inspiring and Empowering videos:
My philosophy for a happy life- Sam Berns
When music is medicine for kids coping with cancer
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