Saturday, April 9, 2011

My Supports

Support, in any form is a critical component of functioning and achieving objectives in everyday life.  There are several supports that I heavily rely on in my personal and professional life. Due to the nature of my profession and in my private life, one of the biggest supports I rely on is technology. Without technology I would not be able to access my computer or the internet. I would not be able to write my books or social stories. Finally, I would not be able to effectively communicate or participate with clients, participate in social networking, and participate in school.  This item of support provides many benefits to me. In addition to convenience, it also provides with a social outlet, and a way to learn and grow. A second item of support that I rely on in everyday life is financial support that I obtain from my job. Without this item of support I would not be able to afford the technology that I need. I would also not be able to fulfill my basic human needs. A final item of support that I rely on in everyday life is my friends, family, and fur children. This item of support provides me with love and guidance. It also provides me with comfort and reassurance. Without this item, it is not believed that I would be as stable, understanding, and well-rounded. Overall, all of this supports are believed to be critical in my life.  If I did not have access to them it would be extremely difficult and I would not be able to fulfill my personal and professional goals and objectives.
Often times, we take for granted that other people may possess challenges that do not allow them to access these items of support in a traditional manner. One challenge that I do not posses s that would have this impact is blindness. If I were blind, I would still be able to access my items of support but may have to do so in a different manner. In addition to access the item of technology, I would have to rely on special computer software and instruments in order to utilize my computer, the internet, and other forms of technology. For example, I may rely on Braille keyboards and computer software that assists in an auditory manner. If I possessed this challenge, I would also require additional financial assistance. Not only would the technology needed in order to conduct my personal and professional life be more costly, but I would also require additional financial support in order to function appropriately in my daily life. Finally, it is believed that access to my family and friends would be limited upon my geographic location.  It is also believed that I would require more support from these individuals. As a result of this, I may find myself having to be closer to these individuals on a regular basis. It is also a possibility that one or both of my fur children would be trained to help me in my daily life. All of these modified supports would be very beneficial in my life. Not only would they provide me with the assistance that I need in order to live a normal life, they would place me on an even playing field so I can accomplish my established goals and objectives. Similar to my current situation, if I did not have access to these supports it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to fulfill my personal and professional goals and objectives.