Why We Must Stop Labeling People High-Functioning/Low-Functioning

It's natural for parents to want their children to reach their full potential. But who decides what that is? And at what cost?

In part two of my interview with Heather Trammell, we explore how dangerous societal expectations can be; and how inaccurate and harmful it is to label people as high-functioning and low-functioning. (You can listen to Part 1 here!)

 

The Odyssey: Parenting. Caregiving. Disability. 

The Center for Family Involvement at VCU School of Education's Partnership for People with Disabilities provides informational and emotional support to people with disabilities and their families. All of our services are free. We just want to help. We know how hard this can be because we're in it with you. 

 

SHOW NOTES:

Heather Trammell is the Director of Family Support at the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia. She took on that role after her first child was born with Down syndrome more than 20 years ago. 

Freebird - the award winning short film Heather mentioning in the episode. It is a MUST watch.

More about IDEA - the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

More about the ADA - the Americans with Disabilities Act.

 

 

TRANSCRIPT

01:00:07:18 - 01:00:36:21

Erin Croyle

Welcome to The Odyssey. Parenting, Caregiving, Disability. I'm Erin Croyle, the creator and host. The Odyssey podcast explores the turn our lives take when a loved one has a disability. I was lucky enough to head down this less traveled road when my first child was born with Down Syndrome in 2010. Now I work with the Center for Family Involvement at VCU’s Partnership for People with Disabilities.

 

01:00:37:11 - 01:01:01:24

Erin Croyle

This podcast explores the triumphs and the hardships we face. We celebrate the joys that the odyssey of parenting, caregiving and disability bring. But we tackle the tough stuff too, which is why I've invited Heather Trammell to join us. Heather knows hard. She too has a child with Down syndrome. And how the medical team broke that news to her is both shocking and heartbreaking.

 

01:01:02:14 - 01:01:30:20

Erin Croyle

After the dust settled, Heather became the director of Family Support at the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia. She's one of the first people that parents talk to after they learned their child has Down syndrome. She sees firsthand how drastic different families handle diagnoses. Heather's also a powerful advocate for acceptance of all abilities so often the disability community showcases exceptional individuals.

 

01:01:31:05 - 01:02:01:21

Erin Croyle

These people certainly should be celebrated. In doing so, though, are we perpetuating the offensive and inaccurate idea that some people are high functioning and others low functioning? We're going to get into all of this and so much more. So let's get started. Heather, I am so excited you're here. I should add that this is part two of my conversation with Heather, a link to part one, What to Expect when