Life Span and Development

Question: Discuss about the Life Span and Development. Answer: Introduction: Progeria is a very rare genetic disorder. In the video I saw that in this very rare and unheard of disease, the child generates symptoms of premature aging. The average life span of a human suffering from progeria is thirteen years. After a close watch, I perceived that the documentary Life According to Sam narrates the story of a child suffering from the fatal disease progeria. It shows the struggle of the parents of the little Sam to save him from this very rare and fatal disease. Sam was born of parents Dr. Scott Berns and Dr. Leslie Gordon. When the disease was detected, Dr Leslie Gordon was in the first year of her medical residency. According to my research and analysis, when the disease was first discovered in 1988, there was no research, no treatment and no foundation. Within six months of diagnosis, Scott Leslie and Audrey created The Plagiarism Research Foundation. I found that it was Dr. Scott and Dr. Leslie who identified the gene at fault within a span of ten years. In t his disease, kids develop cardiovascular diseases that old people generally suffer. They do not have a normal cardiovascular system. Children suffering from progeria have a high content of progerin in their genes. This gene ages the cardiovascular system of the body. The documentary takes us to the life and journey of the progeria hit child Sam who was diagnosed with progeria at the age of two. The disease was first discovered by Hutchinson in 1886. Several years later, in 1894, extensive research was done by Gilford. He published a series of photographs depicting the manifestation of progeria at different stages. Sam, unlike many other patients suffering from such fatal diseases makes an appeal to the viewers that they must not feel bad for him because of the sympathy that is given to children like Sam. Like the parents of Sam, I think parents of such patients must have the same spirit of enjoying life. The people around such children must be a source of inspiration. Parents of children like Sam are very careful and observant with the aging child. This attitude is very much obvious. However, in my opinion, parents and family members must treat these children normally and have a positive and optimistic attitude. The documentary shows that children suffering from progeria were brought together. They underwent more than hundred tests for more than five days at Boston Childrens Hospital. We can see how Sam feels separated and isolated from many things that give him his identity. Children had to endure numerous needles. The worst part about the test was the medical photography that Sam had to undergo. Such a treatment makes them feel like a specimen. However, he maintains grace throughout the session. We, in case of Sam Berns, can apply the coping theory of Folkman and Lazarus that is macro analytic in origin. Lazarus specifies coping strategies and classifies them into eight groups. This includes seeking support from society, self- controlling, positive reappraisal, accepting responsibility, escape- avoidance, distancing, planful problem solving, and confrontative coping. The story is not only about how Sam copes with his disease, but also about his mothers struggle to save his son from the fatal progeria. We find Dr. Scott Berns and Dr. Leslie Gordon constantly accepting their responsibility, seeking social support, maintaining self control, and trying to solve and cure the disease planfully to cure the children suffering from progeria. Sam has a positive reappraisal towards his life and does not want people to feel bad about him. I think we, at many points of our time also feel like being a specimen and an object of gaze. Something that is rare and stands out of the crowd is prone to draw the attention of the people. In such a situation, most people feel being intimidated and restless. Most of the times we do not like to grab the attention of the crowd. The documentary and the life of Sam provide its viewers a unique opportunity to educate students and look at the brighter side of life. The great determination and spirit of such children is very inspiring to me. Every impediment in life must be faced with a smile. As a nurse, treating a child suffering from progeria may be a bit difficult. A progeria patient suffers from ageing but the mental development is that of a child. In such a case, it may be difficult for a nurse to not allow the child to do the activities that a normal child does. As a nurse, I would not treat such a child as different from the rest. I would ensure that he does not feel isolated and like a specimen. The uniqueness of the child must be kept in mind during the treatment. I shall treat him keeping in mind the dignity of the patient. It is very important to realize that the environment and surroundings of the patient have a deep impact on the psychology of a patient. He must not be treated like a patient all the time. An amiable and friendly environment is helpful for the child. However, the child must not be shown too much care and sympathy all the time. Such a behavior and attitude may make him feel isolated. Being a nurse, it is essential that the dignity and value of the patient is maintained.