Advertisement
Charles Mercieca, Ph.D.
President, International Association of Educators for World Peace
NGO, Dedicated to United Nations Goals of Peace Education,
Environmental Protection, Human Rights & Disarmament
Professor Emeritus, Alabama A&M University
One of the main differences between humans and animals lies here. Humans are imbued with both intelligence and instinct, while animals are adorned merely with refined instincts. In fact, if we were to study the life of humans over the centuries and the millennia we notice that humans kept on progressing steadfastly from time to time. This was due to their unique intelligence, which enables them to progress indefinitely.
Enriched Human Intelligence
Until a few centuries ago, humans travelled either on foot, on horseback or on carts driven by horses, donkeys or other types of animals. Today, we may travel not only by trains and busses but also by private cars and airplanes. On the other hand, a study of the lives of various animals shows that animals do not tend to progress. For example, the monkeys of today behave same identical way as the monkeys of hundreds and even thousands of years ago.
Nowadays, advancement in technology made it possible for numerous disabled people to participate in virtually any kind of social and sports activities that one may imagine. In fact, those that are disabled at this stage of history are provided with numerous opportunities to do things that previously were not even contemplated remotely. In fact, we are all familiar with the creation of the Olympic Games for the disabled, which have become quite popular.
In June 2007, officials of Dankook University and members of the Editorial Staff of Diplomacy Journal in South Korea have sponsored in Seoul the organization of an international seminar on sports rehabilitation. All those with disabilities of any kind that come from every walk of life, age and profession, were invited to participate in this important and admirable event. Activities of this nature have increasingly become a source of inspiration to many.
Some are disabled from their early years of life while others develop disabilities by the process of time. The nature of such disabilities varies considerably. They may originate from sustained severe injuries, from some trauma that is received, an infection that occurred, a tumor that might have developed or surgeries of various kinds. Some may develop a disability in speech, others in their walking capability or usage of their hands, while others they may find themselves disabled through a variety of maladies.
Continued Support Physical Programs
In addition, some disabilities may simply be temporary, like with the case of a number of injuries, while in others disabilities may be permanent like in the case of paralysis. Those of us who had the opportunity to watch sports rehabilitation programs or even the Olympic Games for the disabled must have felt a noticeable degree of admiration. Such sports activities simply are an indication that the disabled are doing their best to lead a perfectly normal life the best they can. That is exactly how it should be for all of us.
Let us keep in mind that physical disabilities of any kind do not interfere in any way with the mental capacities of such disabled persons. In fact, some of the best scientists and prolific writers had physical disabilities of one kind or another. Quite a number of them have even got married and had a healthy family and an enjoyable life. Needless to say, many view old age as a physical handicap in the sense that that quite a number of the elderly tend to walk slowly, at times using a stick.
They tend to demonstrate problems with their memory or with the digestive system. Those that develop breathing problems are generally given extra oxygen in order to continue to survive. Also, there is a tendency in most of the elderly to just sit or lie down and simply hibernate with no virtual physical exercise. We need to find ways to help them with the exercise of their legs, arms, neck, and various movement of the body. In fact, some of the elderly that went in rehabilitation homes could later walk and move around better.
Daily physical exercise for the disabled should not be felt boring. On the contrary, it should be viewed as a time of enjoyment and relaxation. At times, it could also be viewed as a pleasant challenge as well. After all, this is what sports rehabilitation programs are all about. They consist of improving one’s physical capabilities to function better and of giving a good opportunity to the disabled to enjoy having a nice recreation or challenge through such exercises. In view of this, it would be quite appropriate if we were to put more emphasis on the promotion of sports rehabilitation programs everywhere.
NGO, Dedicated to United Nations Goals of Peace Education,
Environmental Protection, Human Rights & Disarmament
Professor Emeritus, Alabama A&M University
One of the main differences between humans and animals lies here. Humans are imbued with both intelligence and instinct, while animals are adorned merely with refined instincts. In fact, if we were to study the life of humans over the centuries and the millennia we notice that humans kept on progressing steadfastly from time to time. This was due to their unique intelligence, which enables them to progress indefinitely.
Enriched Human Intelligence
Until a few centuries ago, humans travelled either on foot, on horseback or on carts driven by horses, donkeys or other types of animals. Today, we may travel not only by trains and busses but also by private cars and airplanes. On the other hand, a study of the lives of various animals shows that animals do not tend to progress. For example, the monkeys of today behave same identical way as the monkeys of hundreds and even thousands of years ago.
Nowadays, advancement in technology made it possible for numerous disabled people to participate in virtually any kind of social and sports activities that one may imagine. In fact, those that are disabled at this stage of history are provided with numerous opportunities to do things that previously were not even contemplated remotely. In fact, we are all familiar with the creation of the Olympic Games for the disabled, which have become quite popular.
In June 2007, officials of Dankook University and members of the Editorial Staff of Diplomacy Journal in South Korea have sponsored in Seoul the organization of an international seminar on sports rehabilitation. All those with disabilities of any kind that come from every walk of life, age and profession, were invited to participate in this important and admirable event. Activities of this nature have increasingly become a source of inspiration to many.
Some are disabled from their early years of life while others develop disabilities by the process of time. The nature of such disabilities varies considerably. They may originate from sustained severe injuries, from some trauma that is received, an infection that occurred, a tumor that might have developed or surgeries of various kinds. Some may develop a disability in speech, others in their walking capability or usage of their hands, while others they may find themselves disabled through a variety of maladies.
Continued Support Physical Programs
In addition, some disabilities may simply be temporary, like with the case of a number of injuries, while in others disabilities may be permanent like in the case of paralysis. Those of us who had the opportunity to watch sports rehabilitation programs or even the Olympic Games for the disabled must have felt a noticeable degree of admiration. Such sports activities simply are an indication that the disabled are doing their best to lead a perfectly normal life the best they can. That is exactly how it should be for all of us.
Let us keep in mind that physical disabilities of any kind do not interfere in any way with the mental capacities of such disabled persons. In fact, some of the best scientists and prolific writers had physical disabilities of one kind or another. Quite a number of them have even got married and had a healthy family and an enjoyable life. Needless to say, many view old age as a physical handicap in the sense that that quite a number of the elderly tend to walk slowly, at times using a stick.
They tend to demonstrate problems with their memory or with the digestive system. Those that develop breathing problems are generally given extra oxygen in order to continue to survive. Also, there is a tendency in most of the elderly to just sit or lie down and simply hibernate with no virtual physical exercise. We need to find ways to help them with the exercise of their legs, arms, neck, and various movement of the body. In fact, some of the elderly that went in rehabilitation homes could later walk and move around better.
Daily physical exercise for the disabled should not be felt boring. On the contrary, it should be viewed as a time of enjoyment and relaxation. At times, it could also be viewed as a pleasant challenge as well. After all, this is what sports rehabilitation programs are all about. They consist of improving one’s physical capabilities to function better and of giving a good opportunity to the disabled to enjoy having a nice recreation or challenge through such exercises. In view of this, it would be quite appropriate if we were to put more emphasis on the promotion of sports rehabilitation programs everywhere.