have been thinking a lot lately about the search for independence. At some point everyone feels the urge to break free, and most eventually do so. The part that has been really bothering me is that some people can’t. Some people have disabilities and have to be helped by their family members their whole life- making them feel guilty and useless. When someone can’t take care of themselves, they can become very depressed. This disability that they have no control over dictates their life.
I’m researching the topic of assistance dogs for our 8th grade culminating project. A key thing I’ve learned is that an assistance dog can let someone be free again. They are able to go out in public and be close to ‘normal’. It is wonderful that dogs are so intelligent and the can be trained to help with virtually any disability- making them useful to all who need them.
It’s really incredible that since the first guide dog instruction in the 1750’s, this field has grown so mush. Not only can dogs care for the deaf and blind, they can be used in therapy and care for any disability. The support of assistance dogs has continued to grow and more people are fostering puppies. Many organizations have opened to provide the dogs for no cost.
One other impactful aspect of the topic I explored described the laws put into place to protect disabled people. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 allowed for opportunity and equality for the disabled. Businesses could no longer legally turn assistance dogs away. Not only did that make it more convenient, it also showed that handicapped people are no less American.
This has shown me that different levels of equality are always being debated. Although we had race and gender equality, disabled people were not equal until 1990. I wonder why it could’ve taken that long. We will continue to recognize groups that are being discriminated against, and hopefully one day America will have 100% equal rights for ALL.
I think the way I want this project to impact me is by giving me a whole new perspective. I want to understand people’s challenges and what they’re going through. The spectrum of my empathy has already been broadened, and I am very grateful to be healthy. Also, I’m grateful we have options and hope when we have a disability, and that there have been many advancements since the time when people where ashamed to be handicapped.