Disability, Disadvantage, Vulnerability & Stigma





(https://commsatwork.org)

Disability, disadvantage, vulnerability and stigma are four words that resonate as burdensome labels.  This blog is about reflecting how these words affect us as individuals and how we knowing or unknowingly label and treat others by using them.  For me the two strongest words in the title are stigma and vulnerability; emotional words that encompass shame, being singled out, a perception forced by others and leads to feelings of exposure and defenceless.  I don’t want to live like that, do you?

To look briefly at stigma, it can expose itself within self and families, workplace and communities to culturally and the effects of the stigma is felt strongly as indicated by (Goldbach, J. T., Amaro, H., Vega W., & Walter M. D.2015, p.9).  I have found literature relating inequality toward groups within the community and stigma.  An example of, but not exclusive to, these groups include disabled, lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual groups, obese, people with mental health issues, homeless and transient people.  Society forms generalisations and misinformation about less powerful groups which leads to stigma resulting in blame, discrimination, prejudice.(Goldbach, 2015,p.9)  This situation leads to disadvantage in social connections, education, housing, health literacy and loneliness.  Society in many ways sets a precedence on how people within our community should be treated, let's not become that person, be honest in your actions.

I have watched 4 interviews regarding this topic and have felt the overwhelming theme is the perception of others towards different groups within our community.  Members of disadvantaged groups are vulnerable, subject to suffering and disadvantage because of a need for community assistance, as a result of this reliance are easily accessible to hurt.  Vulnerability not unlike stigma is well documented to be influenced by quality and quantity of resources available.  (Peroni & Timmer, 2013p.1058)

As a Registered Nurse, a member of a healthcare team, a member of community in which I live,  who aims to provide holistic care to patients I think treating others how you would like to be treated is essential.  This attitude may not always keep you smiling in the short term but I think the long term benefits will be worth it.  

(http://hopestreetcards.com.au/blogs/news)

Booker, S. (2016). Chatting and Dreamin. Hopestreetcards. Retrieved from
     http://hopestreetcards.com.au/blogs/news/84063492-chatting-and-dreamin
 
Children's Week (2015) Communities at Work, I Wonder [book cover]. Children's Week,  
    Canberra Australia. Retrieved 4/2/2016 from https://commsatwork.org/civicrm/event/
 
Goldbach, J. T., Amaro, H., Vega W., & Walter M. D. (2015). The grand challenge of   
    promoting equality by addressing social stigma (Grand Challenges for Social Work
     Initiative Working Paper No. 1 8). Cleveland, OH: American Academy of Social Work and
     Social Welfare.
 
Peroni, L., & Timmer, A. (2013). Vulnerable groups: The promise of an emerging concept in
    European Human Rights Convention law. International Journal Of Constitutional Law,
   11(4), 1056-1085. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icon/mot042