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Hi Gilda,
I became a member of this list yesterday and delighted to learn that
you successfully completed a most interesting program. I am a student
at The George Washington University's Graduate School of Education and
Human Development's Interdisciplinary doctoral program, 'Leadership for
Full Participation' in Washington, DC.
I hope that you will get a good response to your important questions.
Hint: Personally when I was in a rehabilitation hospital, my husband had
a heart attack and all the Social Worker cared about was having my son
picked up a school and brought to the County Youth & Protection agency
for foster care. Needless to say, I was outraged, angry and needed to
do whatever I could to protect our son. Perhaps more important, I have
counseled mothers who are disabled, their children and served as their
advocate either at schools or in court. Unfortunately, the majority of
the so called 'professionals' rejected me --- a female who happened to
be in a wheelchair. Rather than talking one professional to another and
discussing the issues at-hand, they chose to make on-the-spot decisions
based on prejudice and power. Moreover, County administrators approved
their actions.
It has been my experience, that unless a woman with disabilities has a
super support system (in the home and outside of the home) she has
little recourse when a 'professional' believes that her child is in
danger, or her child is in trouble with the law. Another problem is
gender bias. The majority of judges are male. Most male judges seem to
know little about disability issues and choose to ignore laws that are
to protect people with disabilities or are ignorant of disability law.
Gilda, I believe disclosing such an enormous problem would be difficult
because of confidentiality issues and power. Perhaps by educating our
future professionals and parents via Disability Studies doctrine can
people with disabilities have a fair chance at life, which includes
getting necessary social services without fear of losing their
children, or perhaps worse ---social service personnel turning against
people with disabilities who have sought their help.
Good Luck
Marlene Langnas Craven
Gilda Ferrares wrote:
>
> Hi, I became member of this list during my MA ( Comparative European Social
> Studies) dissertation research, a comparison of disability policies between
> UK and Austria, which I successfully finished. I got good inputs from your
> discourse. But now I am back in work and I am a witness of ( in my opinion)
> awful discrimination of a woman after attempted suizide, which caused a
> physical impairment. Her children were taken away, after months where she
> managed to life quite happily with children and impairment and overcame
> depression.
> So I want to ask, is there research on "coping" with mental health problems
> after suicidal accidents. ( in my experience for many people it was a kind
> of turning-point)
> Is there research on prejudice of social workers and judges towards parents
> with any kind of impairment, especially mental health problems.
> Any hints are welcome and might be helpful in the appeal!
> Gilda
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