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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) | Spina Bifida | Epilepsy | Arthritis | Using a Wheelchair
Physical Disabilities covers a wide range of conditions. If some part of a person's body does not allow them to carry out activities or do things that most people can, then that person is said to have a disability e.g. difficulty moving around without help or special equipment or not able to use hands fully, some or total loss of sight or hearing, or not able to stay conscious themselves (fits). Certain disabilities may even affect a person's behaviour, and they may become aggressive, and spit, or hit out. A person is usually described as disabled if their inability to do things last more than six months.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
When people have MS, the nerves that run through the middle of the backbone (central nervous system) don't always work properly. This means messages don't always get through to the arms, legs, eyes and other parts of the body. This is because MS damages parts of the covering around the nerves and then small scabs form in that area so that the messages can't pass smoothly through. Some people with MS may find it difficult to do things like wave, see properly, talk clearly or walk straight. Some people can't wait long enough to get to the toilet and may wet themselves. MS is different for each person. Some people have a mild form of MS (not very much at all) while for other people it keeps getting worse, or it can come and go. One day they might be able to walk around on their own and the next day they may need some help.
Spina Bifida
This is when the small bones of the back or the skull (the neural tube which forms the spinal cord, brain and spine) don't develop properly when the baby is growing inside the mother. There are three types of spina bifida. Depending on the type, you may not be able to tell, by looking, that the person has spina bifida. A lot of people born with spina bifida also have 'hydro-cephalus'. This is when the flow of watery fluid from the brain to the spinal cord becomes blocked causing the brain to swell.
Epilepsy
This is when a person has a fit or a seizure. There are different types of epilepsy. Some people's seizures just make them stop and stare for a few seconds, others may walk around in a dream, have a funny feeling or a strange taste. Others fall down and black out; they may go stiff and shake for a few minutes. People who have epilepsy may take tablets to control it, which might mean there may be long periods of time between fits (weeks, months and sometimes years).
Arthritis
There are lots of different types of arthritis. These include 'osteo arthritis', 'rheumatoid arthritis' and 'ankylosing spondylitis'. Arthritis means inflammation (swelling) of the joints (where one bone moves over another - like the knee, elbow, back bone, fingers and toes). Some people have arthritis that lasts years, others may have it for a few months and then it doesn't trouble them again for a while. Arthritis can mean a person is in pain, gets tired easily or feels stiff. It can make it difficult for someone to grip with their hands or move about.
Using a Wheelchair
Depending on the type of disability some people may need to use a wheelchair. People who use wheel chairs can lead very active lives. Some wheel chair users are able to walk a little, but may be unsteady on their feet, or get tired very quickly, or they may find it painful to walk.
What is Sensory Impairment?
Hearing Impairment | Visual Impairment
Hearing Impairment
People who are deaf may not be able to hear anything, other people with hearing problems may not be able to hear clearly (things sound muffled or quiet), but they may be able to hear either loud noises, high-pitched sounds or just low-pitched sounds. A person who has hearing problems may find it easier if they are listening to one sound at a time (one person speaking at once).
In some cases when a person's ears are damaged or not working properly they have noises in their ears or head that other people cannot hear. This can be very uncomfortable - the name given to this is 'Tinnitus'. The ear also helps with balance. As the head moves there are tubes in the ears (semicircular 'canals') filled with fluid that swishes to and fro. This sends messages to the brain, so a person can sense which way is up and which way is down. If the ear is damaged people can have difficulty keeping their balance.
Visual Impairment
Very few blind people can see nothing at all; most blind people are able to see something. Some people who are blind see different things. Some may see everything blurred and others may only be able to see small areas of what they are looking at. When someone's sight is poor (can't see very much) they may have difficulty reading, so they may use books or newspapers with larger writing, or listen to tape recordings.
In familiar places (their own home) people who are blind are able to move around easily without banging into furniture. There are times when a person who is blind may need help from a person who can see, like if they are in a place that they don't know or it is dark outside. Some people who are blind use a dog that has been specially trained to guide them when they are out doing everyday things.
What is a Learning Disability?
Different Types of Learning Difficulties | Down's Syndrome | Dyslexia | Cerebral Palsy | Autism | Neurofibromatosis
The words 'Learning Difficulties' are used when a person has difficulty learning. When a person has a type of learning difficulty it means that in some areas of learning they may find it harder than other people, but in other areas they may be very bright. A person with learning difficulties may be able to fully understand what is happening around them, but could have problems with reading, writing, spelling, and sometimes maths and reading music. Some people cannot speak out loud, but may be able to communicate in other ways, for example, using noises, pointing to things and using special signs.
Different Types of Learning Difficulties
Different words are sometimes added to 'Learning Difficulties' to explain how much difficulty the person has. These are known as 'mild' (not a lot), 'moderate' (middle), 'severe' (a lot), and 'specific' (a certain type). An example of a 'specific' learning difficulty is 'dyslexia'.
Down's Syndrome
People with Down's Syndrome usually have 'mild' to 'moderate' learning difficulties. They may also have other difficulties to do with their health, such as breathing or heart problems. A person with Down's Syndrome usually looks similar to other people with Down's Syndrome, but they will also look like other members of their family.
Dyslexia
This is when a person may have difficulty reading, writing and spelling; they may also find it hard to do fiddly things like fastening buttons or catching a ball. A person with dyslexia may have difficulty putting things in order, like the days of the week or they may get muddled up with which is 'left' and which is 'right'.
Cerebral Palsy
This can be caused by viruses (germs) getting into the mother's body, which can affect the baby growing inside the mother so that the baby's brain doesn't develop properly. Sometimes the cause of Cerebral Palsy isn't always clear.
Autism
This is also thought to be caused by brain damage. Autism makes it difficult for a person to make sense of the world around them and to get on with everyday things, like listening and talking to someone, playing with other people or sitting at a table to have a meal.
Neurofibromatosis
People who are born with neurofibromatosis (also know as 'Nf') may not show signs of this learning difficulty until later in life. Sometimes lumps grow just under their skin (neurofibromas). They may grow inside their bodies, but these do not usually cause any problems. People with 'Nf' sometimes have difficulties with writing or sums or remembering things. They may not be very good at some things like catching a ball.
What is Mental Illness?
Anxiety | Dementia | Depression | Manic Depression | Eating Disorders | Obsessive Behaviours | Phobias | Schizophrenia (skitso-free-nee-a)
Mental illness is when something goes wrong with how someone's mind works.
When a person is mentally healthy they feel good about themselves, they can do everyday things easily like going to school or work and enjoying their hobbies and friends. Even when things go wrong they can usually sort it out themselves although it may be hard for them.
When someone becomes mentally ill, they may find everyday things very difficult to do, they may feel confused and upset a lot of the time. They may say or do things, which seem normal to them but to other people watching they may seem strange, like laughing when they are sad or angry.
Anxiety
This is when someone is nervous all the time - they may be so nervous that it stops them doing certain things, like going out.
Dementia
This is a name given to a group of illnesses that affect how the brain works. As the illness or disease gets worse, the brain cells may become damaged and cannot be mended. This leads to loss of memory and confusion, which may change someone's personality and the way that they act.
There are many different diseases that can lead to dementia, which all have different names and affect different people.
These include illnesses like Alzheimer's Disease, which usually affects older people, and Huntington's Chorea.
Depression
This is when someone feels sad about themselves and their lives for a lot of the time. They may have negative thoughts about things and people in their lives and see the worst in everything. Some people who have depression may look well but may find it difficult to get through the day because they feel so sad. Depression may last for a long time. Some people who have depression may start feeling that they would rather be dead because they are so unhappy.
Certain types of depression have been given special names like Post-Natal Depression after a woman has a baby. 'Post' when used like this means 'After'.
Manic Depression
This is when a person's mood changes from feeling very happy, excited and talking all the time, to being very depressed and sad. Sometimes they may have sudden rages and say nasty things, other times they may buy everyone big presents and spend all the money in the house. The very excited behaviour is sometimes known as Mania.
Eating Disorders
These are things like Anorexia Nervosa, where someone will starve themselves, and Bulimia Nervosa, where the person will eat and then make themselves sick afterwards. They are usually as a result of emotional problems, although they may show as physical problems.
Obsessive Behaviours
Some people cannot get a certain thought out of their mind. This is called an obsession. Often these thoughts can make someone do something hundreds of times a day, for example, washing their hands because they think that they are dirty. No matter how many times they wash their hands they never feel clean. Obsessions can take over someone's whole day because they need to do them so often. This can also lead to physical problems like sore skin in the case of someone who washes all the time. Some other examples of obsessions include, checking the doors around the house are locked, checking that all the plugs are turned off, having a feeling that they are going to die so being very worried about every part of their body. Obsessions are also sometimes called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Phobias
A phobia is when someone is frightened of an object or a situation. Almost everyone is frightened of something but it is called a phobia when it affects their lives and stops them doing everyday things like going out.
Some examples of phobias are fear of spiders, which is called Arachnophobia (arak-no-fobia), fear of heights or Vertigo, and fear of leaving the safety of home or Agoraphobia (ag-ra-fobia). When someone has a phobia and they are faced with the thing that frightens them, they will feel very anxious and may have a panic attack.
Schizophrenia (skitso-free-nee-a)
This is when a person finds it hard to decide what is real and what is not. They may hear noises or voices talking to them or about them when no one is there or they may be frightened and think that someone is going to hurt them.
What is Chronic or Long-Term Illness?
Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) | Asthma | Cancer | Diabetes | Hepatitis | Kidney Disease
"Chronic" is a word that is used to describe an illness, or signs of an illness, that lasts for a very long time. Some people have a chronic illness that is there all the time, but it doesn't often stop them doing things that they want to do. Some chronic illnesses or effects of an illness can make a person feel ill. Some chronic illnesses have effects which slowly get worse and which might result in severe (a lot of) disability. In some cases the person may die from the illness. A person dying from a particular disease is said to have a terminal illness or they are in the palliative stage of the illness. Terminal means 'the last part' Palliative means 'to lessen pain rather than cure'.
Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
These are examples of chronic illnesses (for more information on these conditions see Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis sections in Physical Disabilities). People with Arthritis or MS may have the illness for many years, some days may be worse than others and some days the person may feel okay.
Asthma
This is a condition which affects the lungs and which sometimes makes it difficult to breathe. A person with asthma may often cough, wheeze and feel tightness across their chest. An asthma attack is when the very fine air ways in the lungs (the bronchioles) become narrower than normal, for example because the lining of the airways swell; when sticky phlegm is produced; or when the muscles in the walls of the airways tighten, causing a spasm.
Cancer
Cancer is the word given to an abnormal growth of cells in the body (cells that don't do their job properly), which are 'Malignant'. Malignant means the abnormal cells are able to spread to other parts of the body if they are not treated. There are different types of cancer; these include Leukaemia, which affects the blood cells, Lung Cancer and Skin Cancer. These cancers affect cells in different parts of the body and can sometimes show themselves as lumps in, or on, the body (For example, when a woman has breast cancer, she can normally see or feel a lump under the skin that wasn't always there). A person who has cancer may feel very worried and this can make them upset and moody if they think they won't get better.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body is unable to use it properly. A person who has Diabetes is unable to make 'insulin'. Insulin is a hormone in the body, which is made by a gland called the 'pancreas', which is just behind the stomach. Insulin stops the amount of glucose in the blood becoming too high. When there is too much glucose in the body the person is said to be 'hyperglycaemic'. When a person is hyperglycaemic it can make them feel tired and ill, it also makes them have to pass urine (wee) a lot.
If a person with diabetes misses a meal, takes too much insulin or has done more exercise than normal (this makes the body use its glucose faster) they can become 'Hypoglycaemic' (not enough glucose in the blood). Hypoglycaemia can make a person with diabetes become tired, shaky; they may sweat and look pale. Although this is quite rare, if the person does not get something sugary to eat or drink as soon as possible like coke, lemonade (not diet), chocolate (mini bar), honey or jam the person could lose consciousness (pass out). If the person loses consciousness they would need to be taken to hospital for treatment.
Hepatitis
(Hep-a-ty-tis) There are different types of Hepatitis. Hepatitis is an illness caused by a virus. The word 'Hepatitis' means inflammation (sore and swollen) of the liver. The liver works in the body to sort out the food that is brought to it in the blood and makes harmful substances safer.
Hepatitis A can be caught from someone else who has it, for example, by picking up germs after going to the toilet, not washing your hands and then eating or putting your fingers in your mouth. People with Hepatitis A often feel generally unwell, sick and may have stomach pains. People will only know if they have Hepatitis A by having a blood test.
Hepatitis B is more serious. A person with this virus may have the same signs as someone with Hepatitis A but it can take a long time for them to get better. A few people may get liver failure. Unlike Hepatitis A, this virus is passed between people's body fluids (see section on HIV/AIDS.) and by using dirty equipment for tattooing or ear piercing.
Hepatitis C is even more serious. A person with this virus may have the same signs as someone with a different type of hepatitis but it can lead to serious problems with their liver and even cancer. It is passed on in the same way as A.I.D.S./H.I.V.
People who have Hepatitis A usually become better after some treatment. People with the B virus can usually recover from the illness if they are given medical treatment but it may take a few months. At the moment there is no known cure for people with Hepatitis C although some treatment can be given so the illness is slowed down.
Kidney Disease
Kidneys get rid of the body's waste (food stuff that the body does not need) water, salts and other waste products. Blood gets into the kidneys through a filter. The filter separates foodstuff that the body needs to keep healthy and turns the waste product into urine (wee). If the kidneys are not working properly and not getting rid of the body's waste, then the waste products stay in the body and the person will become ill.
What is Drug or Alcohol Dependency?
Drugs | Alcohol
Drug or alcohol dependency is when a person drinks alcohol or take drugs in a way that harms their health. Drug or alcohol misuse can become a "problem" when other people are affected by it.
A drug is something that is taken either by swallowing (like a pill), smoking (like a cigarette), sniffing (like gas) or sometimes injecting with a needle and syringe. Some drugs, like cocaine, cannabis and heroin are illegal - that is, it is against the law to buy, sell, give away or take these drugs.
Alcohol is a drug found in drinks like beer, wine, gin, vodka, whisky, and cider. Some drugs are more dangerous to take than others, but all drugs and alcohol can cause problems for those who use them and for people around them.
Drugs
There are lots of different types of drugs and many different ways that they can be used. Some people take drugs every day, for example, when drinking tea, coffee or cola and this doesn't usually become a problem. People smoke cigarettes even though they know they can damage their health.
The sort of drugs that cause most problems for the person using them and for other people, include drugs that are given by the doctor which are not taken at the right times in the right amounts or which are taken for a very long time so that the person becomes dependent on them, for example, sleeping tablets; tablets to calm a person down (tranquillisers); illegal drugs that are injected with another person's needle; and some drugs that are taken at the same time as drinking alcohol. Some people take illegal drugs often and it does not seem to cause a lot of problems for them or their family. However misusing drugs can lead to more accidents, more arguments, spending a lot of money on drugs and breaking the law. Where and when people take drugs can also make it more dangerous, for example, when driving, or using machinery whilst on their own.
Alcohol
A lot of people drink alcohol and for most of them there won't be any problems. Drinking alcohol becomes a problem when someone drinks too much or at the wrong times for example, when driving.
Drinking too much alcohol too often can cause damage to parts of the body, especially to the liver. People who drink too much alcohol or misuse drugs may find that they need to keep taking more to get the same feeling as the body starts to get used to it. This is called dependency and means that they are putting their health at risk.
Two Types of Dependency
Physical - This is when the body gets used to the effects of the drug or alcohol. The person is likely to be sick, shiver and feel very ill when they stop. This is known as withdrawal.
Psychological - This is when the person thinks they can't cope without taking the drug or drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol or taking drugs may become more important to them than anything else. The person is likely to feel scared when they stop.
How Do People Become Dependent on Alcohol or Drugs?
The people who eventually misuse alcohol or drugs are all different and may have started using drugs or alcohol for different reasons. A lot of children have their first drink of alcohol at home when their parents let them have a sip or small glass at a special occasion. A number of people have tried taking their first drug (called experimenting) whilst they are still at school. Some people are given drugs by a doctor to make them feel better if they are ill.
A lot of people who have a drink of alcohol in a pub or at home find that it helps them to relax. Most people will not go on to misuse drink or drugs. However a small number of all the people who try drugs or drink alcohol will misuse them and become dependent on them and this can lead to problems.
Some of the people that misuse drugs or drink too much alcohol may do it because they want to feel happy or to stop feeling sad. They may have problems they do not want to think about and they think they will feel better or good about themselves. Taking drugs may seem exciting. Some people may take drugs or drink too much alcohol because it has become a habit and they don't know how they will be able to manage without it. Some people may also start to drink too much or take drugs when they feel under pressure or are going through big changes in their lives. For example, the break up of a relationship, losing a job, worrying about money or having a serious illness or disability.
What is HIV/AIDS?
What is H.I.V.? | What is A.I.D.S.?
To understand about H.I.V. and A.I.D.S. first it is important to know a little bit about how the body works. In blood there are some special cells and proteins, which work together to fight viruses and other things, which cause disease. These proteins and cells make up a person's 'immune system' (imm-yoon).
Blood is a very important part of the immune system. Blood is made up of millions of white and red blood cells, which are so small they can only be seen with a microscope. White blood cells normally fight and kill infections and germs that get into our body that could make us ill, like cold and flu germs. These white cells are called T. Helper Cells. (Leukocytes) (loo-co-syts).
What is H.I.V.?
The letters H.I.V stand for Human Immuno-deficiency Virus.
H.I.V. is an infection, which kills the cells in the body, which normally help it to fight and protect itself against other illnesses and disease. This means that H.I.V. is an infection, which can stop the body protecting itself from serious illnesses.
H.I.V. hides in cells and can stay there for a long time, sometimes as long as 10 or 12 years, without seeming to make the person ill at all. Because it is able to hide, the antibodies, which are made to attack the virus, cannot find it. While it hides, it attacks the infected person's immune system. After some time the immune system is so damaged that if the person catches another illness they are not able to fight it off.
What is A.I.D.S.?
When a person's immune system is badly damaged by the H.I.V. infection, they have A.I.D.S or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. A.I.D.S. is not one thing but is a collection of rare and serious illnesses. People with A.I.D.S. can die from illnesses that other people could recover from because they cannot fight off the infection.
Most people find out that they have A.I.D.S. or are H.I.V. positive by having a blood test (the word 'positive' used like this means that the H.I.V. virus is there). The doctor takes a little amount of blood and tests it to see if the virus is present. People with A.I.D.S. may lose weight and get blotches or marks on their skin. Some people may become depressed if they worry a lot about how they will be affected. When someone goes for an H.I.V. test or is waiting for the result, it is important that they have someone to talk to so that if they can ask questions and try to solve any worries they may have about what could happen if they become ill.
How Do People Get H.I.V./A.I.D.S.?
H.I.V. is a virus. A virus is an infection, which we can catch. This virus is only found in the blood of infected people and in the liquid that men and women make when they have sexual intercourse. This liquid is called "semen" in men and "vaginal fluid" in women.
H.I.V. can only be caught if the virus in infected blood, semen or vaginal fluid gets into your own or someone else's blood. This can happen in the following ways:
- By having sexual intercourse with someone with A.I.D.S. or H.I.V. without using a condom. A man who wears a condom can stop his semen passing into another person's body. Female condoms can also stop the fluids passing between people's bodies when they have sexual intercourse.
- By injecting drugs using a needle or syringe which has already been used by someone who is infected with H.I.V. or A.I.D.S. Clean needles are always used in hospitals and in doctors surgeries and are given free to people who need them so that they don't have to share.
- By passing the virus to a baby from a mother who has H.I.V. or A.I.D.S. The virus can be passed through the body liquids when the baby is still inside the mother, when the baby is born or by breast-feeding a baby.
What is Bereavement?
Bereavement is when a person loses someone or something that they love or care about such as when a person moves school or house, the death of a pet or loved one.
If the death or loss was sudden or unexpected the person may feel shocked and not believe it. If the death or loss was expected, there may be a feeling of relief that the person they care about is no longer in pain or that the unhappiness that was caused during a time of divorce or separation has ended.
When things like this happen in a person's life they may have lots of different feelings that they don't understand. This is called 'grieving'.
Grief is how a person feels after someone or something that they love is taken away or dies. If the first feeling is shock, it may delay other feelings like sadness. When someone is bereaved they may feel lots of different feelings, which can be very confusing.
They may feel numb all over and not believe that it has happened. Then this feeling may change to anger because something or someone they love has been taken away. The next minute they may feel very sad or guilty. They may be asking themselves questions that no one can answer like:
"Why me? …Did I cause it ?".
It is very normal to have changing feelings, however all these different feelings or emotions can leave them feeling frightened and lonely because they may think that nobody will understand what they are going through.
There may also be a lot of other changes that the bereaved person may have to go through, like living in a different place, being cared for by someone else, learning to live without a loved one.
All these changes can be very hard to cope with but it is very important to remember that even though it seems sad or worrying at the time, some of the changes may be good (after separation the family may settle down and be happier without arguments).
Grieving does not last forever, but if the feelings seem to be going on and on without ever changing, it may be important to ask for extra help.
If children or young people are not able to talk about the way they feel, these feelings may come out in their behaviour, they may become bad tempered, aggressive, want to hit out, shout or fight, or they may be quiet and not want to be with people.
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