Flowers For Algernon: Unheard Cry For Help

Unheard Cry for Help
According to (“Merriam-Webster.com”) the definition of disability is, “a condition (such as an illness or an injury) that damages or limits a person's physical or mental abilities.” In the book Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, a 32 year old man named Charlie Gordon has a severe intellectual disability. He undergoes an experimental operation to become smarter and raise his IQ of 68. After his operation, Charlie begins to realize how impudent the world really treats him because of his intellectual disability. He develops feelings and emotions towards other people. He is also remembering his family past and begins to ponder who they really are and why they would abandon him as a child. Charlie really wants to find his
Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, also known as ADA, made sure that there is always a place for people to go and that they have an equal place in the world. The ADA was enacted to make sure that people with disabilities can go anywhere and almost do anything. For example, if someone is in a wheelchair and they need to get on a bus, there are platforms on buses for that person to get on the bus with and and would lift the person on the bus. The respect of those who have a disability have changed over the years after the story Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes took place. Even now, there are laws and organization to protect those with disabilities so they are treated equal and not considered different. There are 5 sections to the ADA which include Employment, State and Local Government services, Public accommodations, Telecommunications, and other provisions to help. The ADA states, “ The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life...” (2 March 2016). This gives a disabled individual protection on people making fun of them for being different. According to the (“ADA National Network”), “Employers must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants or employees.”(2 March
Such organizations are there to help with getting employment, getting therapy, and even house arrangements to even learning to play sports. One organization is called (“Bridges From School to Work”). It was founded in 1989 and is to help to find employment for seniors in high school about to live on their own. According to (“Bridges From School to Work”) “Bridges focuses on abilities, not disabilities—businesses hire people who can do; if the job match is right, an individual’s limitations should be largely irrelevant.” This means that the primary focus for the the person is not their disability but strong strengths and skills that they are able to do in order to find a job that suits their abilities. Another organization that helps the disabled is called Special Olympics. According to the (“Special Olympics Website”), their purpose is to, “...discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success. Our athletes find joy, confidence and fulfillment.” This means that the organization is trying to help these people to find abilities that they really enjoy and help them improve on that skill and excel physically and not just mentally. The trainers are looking beyond what the athletes can not do and trying to help them for what their full