ANDREW BAKANI RAY OF HOPE BECKONS FOR SETHOMO APPLICATION; MEDICAL MODEL TO EXPLAIN SETHOMOS

PREDICAMENT AND DEMOSTRATE PREVENTION AND REMEDIED THAT COULD HAVE BEEN. & SOCIAL MODEL SHOW HOW THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED AND RESOLVED

The script seeks to use the medical model to explain the Sethomos situation and demonstrate how it could have been prevented and remedied, and as well with the social model indicate how it could have been prevented and resolved. Before proceeding key terms are defined and explained below to establish a common platform of understanding of these discussed matters

Impairment: lacking part or all of a limb, or having a defective limb, organ or mechanism of the body. Disability: the disadvantage or restriction of activity caused by a contemporary social organization which takes little or no account of people who have physical impairments and thus excludes them from participation in the mainstream of social activities. Model: a framework for understanding information. THE MEDICAL MODEL PREVENTED AND CORRECTED

The medical model or (individual model/ personal tragedy model) defines normality as opposed to any form of pathology that limits an individuals identity to that of an invalid. Through the medical model, disability is understood as an individual problem. If somebody has an impairment this could be a visual, mobility or hearing impairment for example, their inability to see, walk or hear is understood as their disability as according to Thomson (1999). The medical model stipulates that disability is a deficiency or abnormality, thus from societys perspective seen as something that could hold a person back. It is seen as something that a person should not want, or that it makes people different in a bad way. Therefore to prevent this, society has to be enabled to view disabled people as just differently abled individuals as Sethomo is. She should not be made to feel as though she choose to have the disability but instead enabled her to view herself as normal as other individuals out there, this including her being able to attend any school of her choice. Being disabled is negative thus to say society view it as bad according to the medical model advocates Oliver (1983). Sethomo should be made to feel as worthy to be on earth like any child her age on earth, a feeling of goodness about herself should be cultivated in her thus boosting her confidence and self-image in the process. This will even help Sethomo with her studies as well as good interaction with both school mates and facilitators or teachers. The remedy for disability-related problems is cure or normalization of the individual. Thus individual should be made to feel as least disabled as possible. If individual like Sethomo see them self as less disabled, like such so can the society change their perspective about them thus an element of importance in the public is as such attained. The agent of remedy is the professional. Only professionals can help the disabled person fit in and be accepted in society as according to the Medical model disagrees Corker and French (1999). Such misleading thinking needs to be eliminated in professionals mind sets as they disrupt and distort the true ideology. Sethomo as an individual understands their situation better so an outsider should not define it for them, rather help her execute what they feel is appropriate and society should learn to accept them for who they are. Dependency syndrome as created by the medical model rather than empowerment of these individuals to be able to view themselves as able bodied, not feel as though they cannot do anything for themselves without assistance. Sethomo needs to able to maneuver around the school premises and indulge in activities on her own as she wishes without any restriction

what so ever. This should be the same story tail even with her movement from school to home, hassle free. THE SOCIAL MODEL PREVENTION AND RESOLVED The social model was created by disabled people themselves. It was primarily a result of societys response but also of their experience of the health and welfare system which made them feel socially isolated and oppressed. It is more or a response version to the medical model advocates Carson (2009).

According to UPIAS (1976), through the social model, disability is understood as an unequal relationship within a society in which the needs of people with impairments are often given little or no consideration. Bearing in mind that Sethomo is part of the society meaning that she is part of a system, therefore the battle to ensure her needs are answered to should be fought by the society as a whole. This is because if a member of a system is affected the function of the whole system ends up being affected as well eventually highlights Sandahl (2000).

People with impairments are disabled by the fact that they are excluded from participation within the mainstream of society as a result of physical, organizational and attitudinal barriers stipulates Carson. These prevent them from gaining equal access to information, education, employment, public transport, housing and social/recreational opportunities. Education which in this current arena affects Sethomo, has to therefore be made accessible to her by the society through advocacy for buildings that are user friendly for everyone in the society despite of their being.

The social model is about the barriers that disabled people face as a result of societal design argues Swain and French (2004). For example, Sethomo as a wheelchair-user cannot climb stairs; therefore a ramp or a stair lift should be fitted in facilities to enable her movement up and about. As such society is in a way appreciating existence of such personnel who need such feature in buildings. CONCLUSION These barriers have nothing to do with people with disabilities bodies: they are created by people so it is possible to remove them and we should not utter out views that will affect how

people with disability view themselves. By providing satisfactory reasonable adjustments, barriers can be overcome and this can have a positive impact on peoples lives. This offers the hope that we can eliminate discrimination by eradicating these barriers with support from our non-disabled allies indicates Corker and French.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Carson, G. (2009). The Social model of Disability. scotland: Scottish Accessible Information Forum. Corker, M. & French, S. (1999). Disability Discourse . Buckingham: Open University Press.

Oliver, M. (1983). Social Work with Disabled People. Basingstoke Macmillans

Sandahl, C. (2000). Social model. Against Consciousness-Raising: A Guest Column Access Expressed. Michigan: lighthouse

Swain, J., & French, S. (2004). Disabling Barriers-Enabling Environments. Australia: SAGE Publications Ltd. Thomson, R. (1999) The New Disability Studies: Tolerance or Inclusion, ADFL Bulletin, 31, no. 1 (Fall 1999): 49-53

UPIAS (1976). Fundamental Principles of Disability. London Union of the Physically Disabled