Critical Reading Reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Critical Reading Reflection - Essay Example The author starts by stating that â€Å"this is a hopeful book about those who fail.† (Rose, M., 2005 p. xi) and provides an account of the education system in America, so the book can be said to be a book about the hope the author holds for people who may be struggling with the American educational system. He goes on to stipulate that the low level of literacy skills in remedial students is not as a result of lack of intelligence but is rather due to insufficient economic and social conditions to support these students, as well as a history of poor education. The author believes that educators should have more confidence in the literacy abilities of such students and that there must be greater equality as regards educational opportunities in America. This book details the story of how the author learned to read, write and think critically, and how he came to start teaching others to also be able to read, write and think in a critical way. This book can be divided into two sec tions. The first section discusses the author’s journey as a student, and as a teacher. In this first section Rose learns to read, analyze and write, while engaging critically with text, and making use of language in a correct manner. In the second section, Rose learned how to teach to others these things he had learned as a student. The main connection between these sections is the connection that was made by the author himself about his own experiences. In the book, one can also feel the effect that the author’s teachers had on him. The teachers (Mr.Jonhson, Mr.Macfarland and Dr.Carothers) all affected the author’s experience and influenced his perspective about the issue of teaching. In the book, the author illustrates some examples of the perceived cultural and language barriers that students have to deal with from day to day, and discusses his experiences with students, including high school graduates with reading or writing difficulties. Due to the reading and writing difficulties faced by these students, they are usually branded as remedial students and therefore placed in special classes, regardless of the real causes of their inability to read and write at the predetermined level. These students may go through their school years, and even later into their adult lives bearing this stigma. In the first chapter, rose outlines the main issues about the American educational system, and his prognoses on these issues relegate the reasoning behind his opinions as stated in the book. The history and the policies that led to the ‘back to basics movement’ are also discussed, and it seems that educators and administrators in America believed that American students are a largely illiterate and insufficient group. Although the author does not directly challenge the necessity of examining the social and economic conditions in the educational system, he argues against â€Å"framing our indictments in terms of decline, a harsh, laced -with-doom assault, as insisting that our current educational standards do not meet or exceed the supposed perfection of past standards we lose the historical and social realities of American education† (Rose, M., 2005 p. 7). The author also argues against labelling some students as remedial students or punishing those that do not measure up to a false reality of success and advocates a better understanding of the cultural and social conditions that students face. Rose explains that the American society as a whole clings to

Leadership and Action Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Leadership and Action - Article Example Leaders may play many roles and therefore are required to perform diverse actions to fulfill the requirements for the development of the organization. It is manifested that actions performed by the leader depends on the functions that leader is performing at that particular time (Krench, 1962). The following actions are performed by the leader: Purveyor of rewards and punishment: Leader is the one who can act as an encouragement for his subordinates by rewarding them and also encourage them to do the best and up to desired expectations by punishing them. Punishment is also an encouragement and brings the best within the individual. Father figure: A leader is required to act as a focused and have positive emotional feelings for the fellows for the identification of the problem and also for transference. It is desired for the transparency and to build trust among the fellows towards their leader. 1. Chemers, M. M. (2002). Cognitive, social, and emotional intelligence of transformational leadership: Efficacy and Effectiveness. In R. E. Riggio, S. E. Murphy, F. J. Pirozzolo (Eds.), Multiple Intelligences and Leadership.

Impacts of Chronic Illness: Biological Disruption

Impacts of Chronic Illness: Biological Disruption Chronic illness may cause ‘biographical disruption’. Explain what you understand by this term and drawing on the experiences of your patient. Discuss the different ways in which chronic illness impacts on an individual. Medical encyclopaedia defined disruption as the ‘morphologic defect resulting from the extrinsic breakdown of, or interference with, a developmental process.’[1] In other words, it is the interruption or impediment of a progress.[2] Therefore, biographical disruption is described as how the chronic illness can lead to the loss of self-identity or social interaction in an individual.[3] In this report, I will discuss how chronic illness impacts patients in terms of their behaviour, daily lifestyle, relationships with partners or family members and acceptance of their illness as well as how they cope with it.[4] This report will be illustrated based on my patient’s experience, Ali, a 58-year-old retired office worker from Gelang Patah. Onset and Getting a Diagnosis Chronic illnesses are non-communicable diseases which develop gradually over time. They generally cannot be solved instinctively and are barely to be cured ultimately.[5] In most cases, chronic illnesses are more likely to be insidious where the patients have mild or no symptoms. However, the transition between being asymptomatic to having a chronic illness diagnosis can be challenging for the patient. My patient, Ali, was diagnosed with hypertension in year 2010. Hypertension refers to an elevated systolic blood pressure of 140mmHg or greater and diastolic blood pressure of 90mmHg or greater.[6] It is also a risk factor of myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease, and stroke. It has been determined as the third leading cause of death worldwide by the World Health Organization and given a reputation as a ‘silent killer’.[7] Before Ali was diagnosed with hypertension, he experienced tiredness and nausea every day. He was shocked because has always led a healthy lifestyle and did sports regularly. Thus, he denied the diagnosis that the GP gave him. At first, he did not follow the routine of taking the medicine, but insisted in taking some herbs to relieve the symptoms. However, it showed no improvement in his condition. Then, he started to take his medication as indicated. Few days later, his symptoms were relieved and he accepted the truth that he is suffering from high blood pressure (BP). Before finally accepting his illness, Ali went through a stage of denial which was described by Freud as a way to protect the ego from anxiety, a defence mechanism, by not admitting that he would never return to his previous way of life and require medication for the rest of his life.[8] Coping with chronic illness Managing a chronic illness is far beyond medicating as it also involves how well a patient adapts to the effects of the symptoms in their day-to-day living. It is important how a patient manages his or her health, emotion and daily life as they can determine the efficacy of the treatment given to the patient. Besides, rather than formal healthcare and coping-with-life-changes being core [9][9][8][9][9][9][9][9]domains, they should eliminate health-compromising behaviours by self-regulatory efforts, and adopt health-enhancing behaviours. Ali said, â€Å"I had to adapt by changing my lifestyle including my diet, controlling my temper and reducing heavy workloads. Sometimes I feel that I am weaker than ever, no longer as fit as what I used to think I was. † The large submerged portion of hidden mass of the iceberg corresponds to the undiagnosed cases which are presymptomatic and unapparent.[10] About one-third of population with high BP are not aware that they have it. In other words, the extrinsic problems of what the patients present are the small constitution of the tip of the ice while the undiagnosed hypertensive patients represent the intrinsic complications deep below the surface.[11] Figure 1 Illustration of Iceberg theory[12] In addition, recent studies indicated that 58% of diagnosed hypertensive patients are receiving appropriate treatment and can communicate effectively with health care providers as well as actively self-manage their illness. This shows the difference between the two groups of individual and the success rates to reduce mortality and premature death of hypertension.[13] Chronic illness sufferers have to learn to manage their symptoms to get better. Parson’s sick role model states the obligations, ‘a sick person (patient) must get well as soon as possible’ and ‘must seek professional help’.[14, 15] Hypertension is a preventable disease, thus it is the patients’ duty to accept the medication regime. Therefore, for Ali to get well, he must actively learn to manage his illness at the same time be guided by doctors (professional role).[16] Psychosocial Impacts Relationships with family members and Daily Living Chronic illness brings a vast impact to the patient and the family. Since the onset of Ali’s illness, there have been some marked changes in his relationship with his wife of 33 years, Mira, who has taken up the responsibility to monitor his health. He finds it hard to accept that he is a patient who requires more care and attention from his wife of whom he used to take care. Despite this, Ali mentioned that the strength of his marriage had improved as he described them being closer than ever although he frequently feels frustrated due to his dependency on Mira. He now appreciates her more than before. Furthermore, Ali’s children who are highly educated always show concern for their father by checking up on him and advising him on his daily diet and exercise regime. Stigma and Isolation Stigmatisation commonly occurs with chronic illness. Stigma is described as depreciating a character which then causes the individual to be discounted.[17] It happens mainly when the patient is diagnosed with certain diseases and they are treated as abnormal or handicaps. This scenario can lead to unhappy consequences. It is then called as â€Å"deviant conditions† when they are not accepted by the society. However, Ali did not feel stigmatised at all as hypertension is one of the commonest diseases among the population. In Malaysia, the prevalence of hypertension was 42.6% in the year 2006 for the residents aged 30 years and above.[18] Furthermore, some of his friends are having the same illness; they generously shared their experiences, ways to handle the disease and methods to control BP. Changes in lifestyle and Uncertainty Life is full of uncertainties. Chronic illness contributes to unpredictable events due to the nature of the illness that can restrict some patients from leading their normal lifestyle. In addition, asymptomatic illnesses could result in distress in patients and their carers when they do not know when the disease will worsen. For Ali, he is uncertain when the BP might be raised as he knows that elevated systolic pressure above 200mmHg increases the risk of mortality from stroke[19] whereas Mira needs to get ready whenever she realises that Ali is unwell. Ali admits to feeling stressed most of the time as he is afraid that a sudden rise in BP may trouble his family, particularly his wife. Mira spends most of her time with Ali, worrying that something bad will happen to him if she leaves him alone. Uncertainty can persist throughout the course of chronic illnesses, not only at diagnosis or onset. In Ali’s case, this led to the feeling of fear and uncertainty to both Ali and his wife about what could happen to him. Stroke is the main concern for Ali as this thunderclap attack will have a huge impact on his independence and quality of life, forcing him to become a burden for his family members. Conclusion In conclusion, chronic illness is not merely a medical condition but it can cause several forms of biographical disruptions that can significantly affect a patient’s life. ‘Biographical disruption’ is one of the major aspects of living with a chronic illness because it can affect the patient’s role in the family and his or her relationship with the family members. In a wider context, it also impacts their daily life and relationship with their friends, colleagues and the community. It could potentially alter the focus of their life against their wishes and retrain them from succeeding theirs previous plans of life such as employment and hobby. For instance, Ali had thought of delaying his retirement, however, he was restricted from accomplishing jobs that he was being assigned to after being diagnosed with a chronic illness. The ability in performing tasks is diminished. Sometimes they are stigmatised as a ‘disabled’ by society. Each and every chronic illness sufferer will undergo different disruptions and changes in their life. Nonetheless, care, attention and support from the family members and society are essential to reduce the impact of the illness. Additionally, improvement on palliative care is necessary to improve the patients’ quality of life. It is important to note that the healthcare system also plays a big role in understanding the social behaviour that surrounds their patients for an efficient and effective health provision to be given. List of Figures Figure 1 Illustration of Iceberg theory References 1.Farlex, Distruption, in thefreedictionary. 2.Disruption, 2014: Research Narrative. 3.Bury, M. the Social Experience of Living with Chronic Illness and Disability. Concepts of Health and Illness: 2007 [cited 2007; Available from: http://www.healthknowledge.org.uk/public-health-textbook/medical-sociology-policy-economics/4a-concepts-health-illness/section6. 4.William, S.J., Chronic illness as biographical disruption or biological distruption as chronic illness? Reflections on a core concept. Sociology of health and illness, 2000. 22(1): p. 18. 5.Promotion, N.C.f.C.D.P.a.H. Chronic Diseases. The Power to Prevent, The Call to Control: At A Glance 2009 2009 December 17, 2009 December 17, 2009]; Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/chronic.htm. 6.Malaysia, M., Clinical Practice Guideliness Management of Hypertension, M.o.H. Malaysia, A.o.M.o. Malaysia, and M.S.o. Hypertension, Editors. 2008: Malaysia. p. 70. 7.Maryon-Davis, D.A. Hypertension – the ‘Silent Killer’. May 2005; Available from: http://www.fph.org.uk/uploads/bs_hypertension.pdf. 8.centre, W.M., Asthma, F.s. N °307, Editor 2013, World Health Organisation: World Health Organisation. 9.Barry, A.M. and C. Yuill, Understanding the Sociology of Health: An Introduction. 2008: SAGE Publications. 10.Sharma, M. Theories of disease causation. 2012 1 Jan 2014 [cited 2012 26 Nov]; Available from: http://www.slideshare.net/monikasharma7739/theories-of-disease-causationppt. 11.Tarafdar, D.M.A. iceberg phenonmenance. Available from: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Define_the_iceberg_phenomena_of_disease. 12.Ciulla, M.M., G.L. Perrucci, and F. Magrini. Adaptation and Evolution in a Gravitational Environment — A Theoretical Framework for the Limited Re-Generative Post- Natal Time Window of the Heart in Higher Vertebrates. May 22, 2013 13.Beth Collins Sharp, P.D., R.N., Hypertension Care Strategies, in Closing the Quality Gap2004, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: US Department of Health Human Services. 14.61% of Malaysians UNHEALTHY. 2012 Tuesday, 12 June 2012]; Available from: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2view=itemid=34769:61-of-malaysians-unhealthyItemid=2#axzz2qjcz5j7l. 15.Scambler, G., Sociology as Applied to Medicine. 6TH ed. 2008, UK: ELSEVIER. 348. 16.Burke-Smith, A. and D.F. McGowan. Introduction to Medical Sociology Available from: http://www.icsmsu.com/exec/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ABS-Sociology.pdf. 17.Organisation, W.H. 10 FACTS ON OBESITY. 2014; Available from: http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/obesity/facts/en/. 18.Hypertension: Clinical management of primary hypertension in adults. 2011 Aug 2011 [cited 2011; Available from: http://publications.nice.org.uk/hypertension-cg127. 19.Judyta Cielecka-Piontek, Arkadiusz Styszynski, and K. Wieczorowska-Tobis, Knowledge of Risk Factors for Hypertension in the Elderly. Borgis New Medicine, 2004(1): p. 2-4. Social Science SectionPage 1

Paul Bernardo :: essays research papers

Paul Bernardo The urge shot through the mans body, uncontrollable, like sharks in a feeding frenzy. He could only quench his feverish desires by carrying out unspeakable devilish acts. The victim didn't matter, no thought was given to any implications of the satanic rituals. Several times Bernardo resorted to defecating of human beings in order to satisfy his sick and abnormal urges. Paul Bernardo's lustful and diverted sexual desires sprouted from the influence of pornography. Pornography caused him to fixate on anal intercourse, and violent, dominant sex. Pornography also played a large role in his lust for younger virgins, and the ever apparent satomasifism as seen on tape. Paul Bernardo, during his teenage years became slowly infatuated with women mostly because of his obsession with porn films. At the time film was enough to feed his growing desire for kinky sex. He was content to just watch and not act out what he saw on the videos. Through the steady diet of grotesque video's he became of aware of the type of women he wanted through what he saw. He lusted a women who was submissive and eager to please. This was the beginning of his abnormal sexual behavior. One year out of high school, Paul began his journey into the world of sexual control were he dated a sixteen year old high school student. This girl perfectly fit the description of Pauls ideal in being naive and unsophisticated. Over the three and one half years Paul was with her he used her like his personal sex toy. Throughout the entire relationship he convinced her that what they were doing was acceptable behavior. An example of his acceptable behavior was wrapping a piece of twine around her neck while he sodomized her. The twine only satisfied Bernardo for a time. Later, a knife became part of his "kit." These mercenary acts were all influenced by porno films. Paul became aroused with the power to be the master in his sexual acts and he couldn't get enough. One night in October of 1993 Paul seemed to be a magnet to Karla Homoka. The minute the two met, there relationship set off like a missile. Karla suffered love at first sight, with his looks, charm and maturity she couldn't go wrong. Karla was just the type of women Bernardo desired. She was good-looking, had a great body was naive and trusting, someone he could control, dominate and use as his personal sex toy. There sex life fired into action and the two were constantly searching for new adventures. The pair began having anal sex with

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Essay

The three types of Assistance from the lists that I believe that will benefit the organization profiled in Appendix A the most is: 1. Civil Rights and Privacy Rule Compliance Activities (http://www.hhsgov/ocr) 2. Intergovernmental Personal Act (IPA) Mobility Program ( http://www.opm.gov) 3. Labor Mediation and Conciliation (http://www.fmcs.gov) The one program that I feel that is the most valuable to the organization from Appendix A is Civil Rights and Privacy Rule Compliance Activities. The programs objectives are that the Office of Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services ensures that the people have equal opportunities to participate in these services without any unlawful discrimination and to make sure that their health information is protected and to ensure that any electronic health information is safe. The eligibility requirements consist of anyone who believes that he or she has been discriminated against in some type of manner above or seek information concerning civil rights, and any recipients of Federal financial assistance who desire technical assistance and information assuring that their compliance with nondiscrimination laws. The type of assistance types are Advisory Services and Counseling, and Investigation of Complaints. The dollar range is not applicable. The average amount of assistance awarded (Salaries) FY 11 $40,699,293; FY 12 est $40,938,000; and FY 13 est $38,966,000. How this program is utilized by the organization profiled in Appendix A is that it is there to help the needs of the residents to provide counseling when needed and provide care for those who are medically indigent. Also to help the residents who are below the poverty level. This organization will bring a big impact to the needs of these residents.

Problem of Induction: An Analysis of the Validity of the Humean Problem of Induction

Induction refers to â€Å"a method of reasoning by which a general law or principle is inferred from observed particular instances† (Flew, 1986, p. 171). The method of inductive inference, in this sense, may be considered as the primary means through which justifications are formulated to show the relationship of evidence towards particular assumptions (Goodman, 1983, p. 13). The process of induction, thereby, may be seen as arising whenever we note that evidence lends support to a hypothesis while in the process failing to establish its deductive certainty. In relation to the aforementioned method, Hume argued that since no necessary connections exists between empirical phenomena, it is always possible that a future observation will prove our inferences wrong no matter how appealing it may have been or how richly supported by past observations. This problem has been referred to as the problem of the uniformity principle [in this sense the lack of such uniformity]. According to the argument, nature has no uniformity. If such is the case, it thereby follows that there is no voucher that ensures the consistency of man’s most refined predictions. Consider for example, the statement â€Å"Whenever I drop a piece of chalk it will fall†. Two claims may be inferred from such a statement: (1) Dropping a piece of chalk causes it to fall and (2) Dropping a piece of chalk tomorrow will thereby cause it to fall. According to Hume, such claims assume the uniformity of nature. The problem however is evident if one considers that if all knowledge of causation is based on experience and all knowledge of experience is based on the faculties of cognition, in order for knowledge of causation to be valid [at all times] it is necessary that the faculties of cognition are infallible. However, such is not the case since conditions for the attainment of understanding are based upon fallible faculties. If such is the case, it follows that man’s understanding of the empirical world is obscure thereby providing no solid grounds for the formation of inferences that determine the uniformity of nature from which man derives his causal laws regarding the workings of nature. At this point, it is worthwhile to consider that the aforementioned problem [commonly referred to as Hume’s problem of induction] stems from Hume’s critique of the Cartesian claims regarding the powers of reason. According to Descartes, man is in possession of an infallible faculty of clear and distinct perception which if properly exercised is able to grasp various general causal principles a priori. In addition to this, Descartes claims that possession of such faculties enables man to establish the essence of the mind [which is thinking] and the body [which is extension] through the use of pure intellectual insight. If such is the case, man is thereby privy to the acquisition of a priori knowledge regarding the behavior of minds and of things. If such is the case, it follows that man is also privy to the knowledge of the workings of the external world [external to the mind and hence the physical realm]. As was noted at the onset of this paper, Hume’s critique of Descartes’ conception of the powers of reason has thereby resulted to the critique of the process of induction and hence the critique of the assumption regarding the uniformity of nature. It is important to note that Hume’s claim [as an opposition to Descartes’ aforementioned claim] may be understood in two ways. In the first case, Hume’s claim may be understood as setting the limits of man’s intellectual capacities [which is evident in his emphasis on the fallibility of our faculties for cognition]. In another sense, one may understand Hume’s claim as enabling a naturalistic conception of knowledge acquisition thereby enabling the dissolution of Descartes’ dualism [evident in Descartes’ distinction of the mind from the body]. The importance of such lies in its emphasis on the necessity to set solid foundations for the acquisition of belief. Within these grounds, it is thereby possible to understand Hume’s subtitle to A Treatise of Human Nature, which states, â€Å"Being an Attempt to Introduce the Experimental Method of Reasoning into Moral Subjects†. Hume’s naturalized epistemology may thereby be seen as an attempt to enable the provision of valid and indubitable grounds for the formation of beliefs within both the empirical and moral realms of human existence.