24 Mar Disability

We understand disability as any situation in which a person is limited in their performance in some type of action due to the deficiency of intellectual capacity or in some organ, this means that there is a limitation, not being a cause but a consequence.

Disability does not imply that the person who suffers from it cannot reach and carry out the same actions and activities as the rest, as long as they have the help they need based on each one of their needs.

It is likely that almost all of us will experience some form of temporary or permanent disability throughout our lives.

More than a billion people experience disability, which corresponds to around 15% of the world population and there are up to 190 million people aged 15 or over who have significant difficulties in leading a normal life (3.8% of the world population ).Thanks to the fact that every day we live more years, the number of people with disabilities is increasing vertiginously so that, logically, as we age, many chronic and degenerative ailments are generated.

The term disability is not synonymous with disease.

All people who suffer from them should have the same health options as any other person and the right to enjoy the highest level possible without any discrimination.

Unfortunately today the reality is very different and few countries provide sufficient quality services to people with disabilities of whatever type they are.

These patients encounter all kinds of obstacles when trying to access health care due to physical, economic, attitudinal, communication barriers, not to mention architectural barriers.

It is important to state that there are different types of disabilities:

• Physical or motor disability: It is the one that limits or eliminates the motor or physical capacities of an individual. For this class of disabilities we have the great help of adapters, prostheses, aid tools with which these patients can function in life with greater or even total autonomy.
• Sensory Disability: Limitations derived from the deficiency in one of our senses, such as hearing or visual disability.
• Intellectual disability: Limitation of intellectual functionality that causes the person to have an intelligence quotient (IQ) lower than 70, influencing cognitive abilities and creating problems when it comes to having a social life. There are different degrees of intellectual disability.
• Mental Disability: When we have alterations in conduct and behavior. Usually derived from some mental disorder.
• Visceral Disability: It is suffered if there is any damage or deficiency in its organs, generating limitations in the daily life of the patient.
• Multiple Disability: It is the combination of limitations derived from some previously mentioned deficiencies.

                            On many occasions, their healthcare needs are neglected due to the lack of access to healthcare.