Stuck in the Neutral is a novel written by Terry Trueman is centered around the subjects of Cerebral Palsy, the value of human life, and the stigma of euthanasia. The main character Shawn McDaniel, who happens to also be the narrator gives us insight into his life. “My life is like one of those “good news—bad news” jokes . . . In the jokes, it’s always the good news first, so here goes . . .” (Trueman) Shawn is fourteen years old and has spent his entire life in Seattle, a place he loves. Shawn has both an older sister and brother. Cindy, who is seventeen and Paul, who is sixteen who he thinks are pretty cool. Shawn also has an ability that no one knows about; “I have this weird---I don’t know what you’d call it---ability? Gift? Power?” (Trueman)
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There are more than 200,000 US cases per year with an estimate ranging from 1.5 to more than 4: 1,000 live births or of defined age range. Symptoms can appear during infancy or preschool years. It affects “. . . body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture, and balance. It can also impact fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and oral motor functioning.” (Definition of Cerebral Palsy) People living with the condition have trouble swallowing, talking, eye focus, walking, epilepsy, blindness, deafness and some intellectual disabilities. Some may walk while others can’t. Some may show normal or near normal intellectual capabilities, where others may have full intellectual disabilities. There is no cure for Cerebral Palsy, but it can be treated and managed. Long term treatment includes therapies such as occupational, stretching, physical; drugs such as muscle relaxant (ie. Baclofen), sedative (ie. Diazepam); and surgery such as gastrostomy in some …show more content…
The Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is an organized plan and program developed to ensure that a child living with a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services. (cerebralpalsy.org) Therefore, by the time a child becomes eighteen these accommodations are no more and they now fall under another disability act called (ADA). The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADC) is a civil rights law that forbids discernment counter to individuals with disabilities. This law is keen to areas such as of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. (ADA National Network) This act ensures that people who live with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone
There are more than 200,000 US cases per year with an estimate ranging from 1.5 to more than 4: 1,000 live births or of defined age range. Symptoms can appear during infancy or preschool years. It affects “. . . body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture, and balance. It can also impact fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and oral motor functioning.” (Definition of Cerebral Palsy) People living with the condition have trouble swallowing, talking, eye focus, walking, epilepsy, blindness, deafness and some intellectual disabilities. Some may walk while others can’t. Some may show normal or near normal intellectual capabilities, where others may have full intellectual disabilities. There is no cure for Cerebral Palsy, but it can be treated and managed. Long term treatment includes therapies such as occupational, stretching, physical; drugs such as muscle relaxant (ie. Baclofen), sedative (ie. Diazepam); and surgery such as gastrostomy in some …show more content…
The Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is an organized plan and program developed to ensure that a child living with a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services. (cerebralpalsy.org) Therefore, by the time a child becomes eighteen these accommodations are no more and they now fall under another disability act called (ADA). The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADC) is a civil rights law that forbids discernment counter to individuals with disabilities. This law is keen to areas such as of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. (ADA National Network) This act ensures that people who live with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone