Disabilities – Part One RECR 120

Parkinson’s Disease Non-motor symptoms such as loss of smell, constipation, and sleep disorders may appear years before motor symptoms occur. Motor symptoms occur once about 60-80% of the dopamine in the brain has disappeared. PD causes the brain to stop producing dopamine. Dopamine regulates movements and emotions. Motor symptoms include: slow movements (bradykinesia, tremors, stiffness in arms and trunk, and shuffling gait). Medications can be very helpful and reduce symptoms. Depression is a common symptom in patients with PD because of the loss of dopamine. Exercise is helpful for patients with PD. Be aware that you may need to make sure patients with PD are safe when ambulating (walking). They may shuffle and be at a higher risk for falling.

Diabetes People with Type 1 diabetes need insulin to regulate blood sugar. They will have to test their blood sugar levels many times a day and administer insulin (either by pump or injection) to regulate sugars. People with Type 1 will experience both low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). More young people are being diagnosed with Type II diabetes due to obesity. As a recreation therapist, you need to be aware of your clients who have diabetes. You will need to avoid giving them sugary foods. However, you will also need to be educated about what to do for clients with low blood sugar. You may have to offer them juice, candy, etc.

Please keep in mind that people’s symptoms will vary greatly. Some people will have greater levels of impairment and may have to use wheelchairs and need assistance with ADLs. This is a disease of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves). The myelin sheath of the neuron deteriorates and causes the symptoms.

Spina Bifida This is the most common form of neural tube defect. During early stages of fetal development, the neural tube becomes the brain and spinal cord. There are varying levels of Spina Bifida. Some people may use wheelchairs or braces to walk. Children who are born with SB often have surgery very shortly after birth. And they often have multiple surgeries throughout their lives.

MD This is a genetic disorder where the body does not produce enough dystrophin to support muscle function. Duchenne is the most common form of childhood MD and often occurs in boys. Often by the time they are teenagers, they are using wheelchairs. This disorder can also affect the respiratory and heart muscles making it difficult to breath. Many children with MD will have to use a power wheelchair because they will not have the arm strength to manually propel a wheelchair.

Cerebral Palsy CP typically occurs when the fetus is developing in the mother’s womb. CP can result from infection or trauma to the fetus during development or from complications during birth. In rare cases, children can experience brain trauma that results in CP. Symptoms vary greatly from person to person. Symptoms may include trouble speaking, swallowing, drooling, and tight and rigid muscles. Some individuals may need to use wheelchairs, communication devices, and assistive technology to engage in leisure activities.