You inherit genes
from the parents, and experts can only alter them to a limited extent. Some of
the genetic disorders are apparent at birth while doctors diagnose others
diseases at different stages of childhood or adulthood. According to a recent
survey, every one child in 25 children is affected by a genetic disorder.
Therefore, to awaken you to lend a helping hand to them, here is a list of a
few ways in which you can support someone with a genetic disorder.
·
Be understanding:
Being understanding
can be of the most helpful ways to support the person with a genetic disorder
and his/her own family. Being diagnosed with a genetic disease can change the
entire family’s priorities and the way they take up things. It changes their
perspective to deal with things and can make the family life a little more
demanding and hectic. Being able to understand what the person and the family
are going through is a perfect way to sympathize with them. Therefore, one must
try to be accommodating with the families of the ones dealing with a genetic
disorder and understand that their schedule might not be as flexible.
·
Do not make assumptions:
It is essential to
understand that making assumptions does no good, to neither you nor the affected person. The family or the
individual, himself/herself, might feel upset and frustrated on being assumed
inappropriately on their condition. Therefore, it is always better to know more
and even if there are some assumptions, put them forward in the most polite and
understanding very possible. Reading up
facts before generalizing will help up to a significant level. You can read Chapter 18
Regulation Of Gene Expression to know more.
·
Do not underestimate someone with a genetic
disorder:
It is wrong to
assume that one cannot do a specific task just because they are suffering from
a genetic disease. It is wrong to make assumptions based on their medical
conditions that they would be incapable of doing something physically or
intellectually or in any other possible way. However, their health condition might be critical but
generalizing and assuming them incapable of something will not do any good. One
must not make generalizations that lead you to underestimate a person’s
ability.
·
Use Sensitive Language:
It is essential to
use polite and simple language when you are talking to the person affected by a
genetic disorder or his family. They might not
like you to address them as ‘sufferers.’ It can make their families upset and
prevent them from keeping hope and a positive vibe, leaving them frustrated.
Therefore, you must not use words with a negative connotation. Instead, opt for
neutral language, which is not hurtful. For this, you can notice the language
in which the parent talks about the child. Try to adopt the same mannerism and
tone.
Hence, you must
have understood how these ways would surely be helpful for you to provide a
shoulder to the ones affected by the genetic disorders and their families.
Rebecca has been writing about style, beauty, and lifestyle topics since 2011. Thank you so much for reading this post! Feel free to leave any questions or comments below. I love hearing from you!
