They had no rights, they were discriminated against, they were society’s hidden treasures. Because Alan was not able to talk and communicate to his family and others with words, they underestimated his ability. However, it was evident that Alan was more intelligent than he was believed to be. He was able to understand phrases and do lots of things on his own such as getting dressed and eating. If he had been in an institution surrounded by love and assistance, his advancements would have been greater, but greatness cannot be rushed. Also, the language as to which people with mental disabilities like Alan was harsh. The word retarded has a negative connotation to it and undermines the abilities of the individuals. Back then, there was so much silence surrounding mental disabilities and so much was left unsaid about the individuals who suffered from mental
They had no rights, they were discriminated against, they were society’s hidden treasures. Because Alan was not able to talk and communicate to his family and others with words, they underestimated his ability. However, it was evident that Alan was more intelligent than he was believed to be. He was able to understand phrases and do lots of things on his own such as getting dressed and eating. If he had been in an institution surrounded by love and assistance, his advancements would have been greater, but greatness cannot be rushed. Also, the language as to which people with mental disabilities like Alan was harsh. The word retarded has a negative connotation to it and undermines the abilities of the individuals. Back then, there was so much silence surrounding mental disabilities and so much was left unsaid about the individuals who suffered from mental