Keeston Terry

Dr. Gloria Flynn

SPED 510-03
September 12, 2014
Reflection on Treatment of People with Differences
Last June, I attended a missionary trip to Harmons, Jamaica, a little town located
in the southern part of the island. There we built houses and foundations for water
troughs. We also made a unique trip to an infirmary outside Harmons that housed people
with mild to serve disabilities. The infirmary held many similarities to the mental health
institute in Serbia. Usually families would drop off their relatives; ultimately, leaving
them to live in the institution for the rest of their lives. Faculty was under manned
resulting in poor treatment. In order to clean someone that individual was hosed down
outside. Many of the tenants were confined to their beds covered in flies, puke, and urine.
Overcrowding was a big problem so a lot of people had to sleep outside. There was no
real organization or activities for them to participate in. The place was covered in a
pungent smell, not ideal conditions for those who need extra assistance. Despite these
awful conditions these people were joist and showed great appreciation when we came
and visited.
What they wanted from us wasnt anything spectacular it was just the gratification
of knowing someone cared for them and were willing to take time out of their day to
spend time with them. The trip to Harmons allowed me to experience first hand the
hardships the disabled go through when they do not have proper help or assistance.
Things I took away from my trip to Harmons and the video clips are people are people

regardless of their disabilities. Just because they might have a disability does not mean
we should neglect them. I think helping those with disabilities or giving those with
disabilities opportunity makes us uncomfortable. We usually arent willing to figure out a
way to help people with disabilities to progress and grow intellectually. The only way we
limit those with disabilities is by us placing limitations on them. Funding also plays a big
role in helping students with disabilities. Funding towards students with disabilities has to
become a priority in our society in order to have adequate equipment and facilities to help
these students be successful.
As a teacher there will be ample opportunity to work with students who have
disabilities. These students will not be taught the same way as students without
disabilities but that does not mean they arent capable of participating in the same
activities. Hopefully schools will continue to create opportunities for those with
disabilities to be a part of a regular classroom setting. I think it will take all parties
including administration, teachers, students, paraprofessionals, and students to be able to
make this approach work. As long as we, the teachers, do not put a glass ceiling on
students capabilities theyll be able to achieve any goal they set out to obtain.