SCENARIO…

Daniel is looking for a new housekeeper. Due to the effects of *Friedreich’s Ataxia, Daniel is unable to manage housework, but is pretty independent otherwise. He places an ad on craigslist and on the local student employment electronic bulletin board. Next he creates a colorful yet easy-to-read flyer. Daniel makes trips to familiar places around town, posting the flyers where he knows they will be seen. Being respectful of the local business owners, Daniel always asks before posting flyers in their establishments. He stops at his favorite coffee shop, the library, the food co-op, the community center, the unemployment office, and the gay bar.

At his last stop, Daniel is greeted warmly as he enters the bar.

“Oh Danny boy…” the bartender strikes up the tune briefly.

“Hey, Matthew! How’s it going?” asks Daniel. “Would it be all right if I post one of these flyers on your bulletin board?”

Matthew reaches for the flyer Daniel holds out shakily. “Personal ad?” he jokes.

“Looking for a new housekeeper again. Timothy got a full-time job at Target. Better pay, and it caters to his fashion sense! I can’t compete with that. . . I sure hope I can find someone who does laundry even half as well as he does!”

“Good luck, Danny Boy!” calls Matthew as Daniel heads toward the door.

“Thanks, Matthew! Have a good night!” Daniel answers.

As Daniel stumbles to his car in his uneven gait, he notices a police car across the street. He is being watched. . .

Trying not to glance in their direction, Daniel gets in his car, pulls out of the parking lot and starts down the street. The police car follows him at a slight distance. After about a block, the officer flashes his lights and signals Daniel to pull over.

“License and registration please,” requests the officer. Daniel shakily reaches for his glove compartment, pulls out the registration, and hands it to the officer. Then he reaches into his pocket, pulls out and opens his wallet showing the license, and hands it to the officer.

“Been drinking, young man?” asks the officer.

“No sir, I haven’t had any drinks tonight,” replies Daniel, his speech slightly slurred due to his disability.

“Please step out of the car,” booms the commanding voice of the police officer.

As Daniel gets out, the officer continues, “Now I want you to walk a straight line away from me.”

“That’s not possible by any stretch of the imagination,” quips Daniel.

“Then I guess we’ll have to do the breath-a-lyzer,” counters the officer.

Daniel stiffens and replies as clearly as possible, “Is that really necessary? Can’t you tell I have a disability?”

A grin spreads over the officer’s face. “Now that’s a good one!” he chuckles. “Now put your hands on the car and stay there while I go check you out.” The officer goes back to the police car, keeping one eye on Daniel.

QUESTIONS…

What could Daniel have done to help make this situation go smoother?

What resources or training could have better equipped the police officer for situations like this?

Is it common for a disability to make a person appear drunk?

POSSIBLE SOLUTION…

Since Daniel’s disability could be easily misunderstood, one option for him would be to wear a medical alert bracelet describing his condition and how it affects his functioning. He could also keep a letter from his doctor in his glove compartment. But perhaps, Daniel just enjoys an occasional adventure…

Disability awareness training can be helpful to people in any profession in dealing with the public. Certainly the officer was exercising appropriate caution following procedure. However, awareness training would have at least made him aware that disabilities do exist that might look like intoxication. He might have taken Daniel a little more seriously.

Many disabilities can make a person appear intoxicated. Disabilities that affect muscles and nerves can cause an uneven gait, which looks like staggering, and affected facial and speech muscles can cause slurred speech. Dizziness and balance problems are often a result of neurological conditions. Some disabilities that can cause a person to appear intoxicated include Diabetes, Epilepsy, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Brain Injury, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and Cerebral Palsy.

ABOUT *Friedreich’s Ataxia…

Friedreich’s Ataxia is a genetic disorder affecting approximately one in 50,000 people worldwide. It causes nervous system damage resulting in movement disorder, often problems with the heart and diabetes, and occasionally hearing and vision problems. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Friedreich’s Ataxia symptoms usually first show somewhere between age 5 and 15. Generally, the earlier the onset, the more severe the symptoms. It affects both males and females.

Degeneration of the spine, peripheral nerves, and the part of the brain that controls balance and movement results in poor coordination, an unsteady gait, sensory problems, speech problems, and often skeletal problems like scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. Like many neuromuscular disorders, Friedreich’s Ataxia affects each individual uniquely, but it is generally progressive. Heart problems from mild to severe and diabetes are also common in people with Friedreich’s Ataxia. Generally, progression results in wheelchair use within a couple of decades of diagnosis, and the eventual need for personal assistance with activities of daily living is common.

Friedreich’s Ataxia does not affect thinking or reasoning abilities. Although there is no cure, some treatments are available to help manage the symptoms, enabling people to live full and active lives.

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Peg Ball lives in the United States, in Michigan, with her partner of 17 years, her service dog and two cats. She has a Master’s degree in Social Work and is a certified Life Coach. Peg has worked in disability organizations as an advocate, independent living skills trainer, peer counselor, and program manager. She is passionate about helping others discover and achieve their potential. She is interested in natural health options, environmental conservation, and animals – especially horses and dogs. Peg has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disease. She uses a power wheelchair and a ventilator. At age 53, Peg also has over 35 years experience as an employer of Personal Assistants/Personal Care Attendants.