Specially designed disabled baths, ceiling hoists, special mobility equipment, all wonderful things a step in the right direction for those living with disabilities and those in the position of looking after them and caring them. Independent living resonates with our cultures worship of and need for independence and the total fear of being reliant on others. Of course these are all good inventions, but hopefully we will not lose the value of caring relationships.
No one wants to be completely reliant on anyone, however, in the same way, someone with a disability wants to be isolated. The old fashioned model of being in a care home, or having a professional looking after them for 95% of the time is becoming less necessary with the inventions of more and more innovated disability equipment.
With the inventions of more and more disability equipment like ceiling hoists and the ability to install a personally tailored disabled bath, the need for constant professional or family care is becoming less of a need. This is great as no one relishes being completely dependent and although there will always be institutionalized care, it may not be necessary for the full range of people it used to be for.
Disabled children of today who are growing up learning to use the various tools designed for disabilities, are at an advantage because they are learning how to be more independent from the start. In some ways, the more independence people can experience in their personal care, the more time it gives them to build relationships that are not based on the need for that level of care.
Even for people with no disabilities or challenges, being reliant on others is not seen as a good thing in our culture, when in reality, a community in inter dependence is a healthy one, where people learn that it is ok to rely on others, and experience others relying on them. Independent living is a step in the right direction, but it is not the full picture.
The modern home is better than ever before for providing support and help for people with disabilities. Get quality equipment for disabled at the www.astorbannerman.co.uk web site.