Weekly Entry #13

12／15／12
Worldly Accommodations For the Disabled

As the world changes and adapts for those who live in it, so does the fictional life accommodate those in the book. “A Spirit Without Match In Any Game” by Jack Cavanaugh, and Rules written by Cynthia Lord shows how so. The world is forever changing on days, to weeks, weeks to months, months to seasons, seasons to years. Not only is the world changing naturally, humans are helping those with disabilities to better adapt to the world.A character by the name of Jason has a severe form of cerebral palsy.

Unable to walk and speak, 14 year old Jason sits in a wheelchair and “talks” to others with a communication book. Outside the OT building, there is a ramp for those who can’t walk, such as Jason. Ramps to get to higher places, wheelchairs for those who can’t walk, communications for those who can’t talk. These are all the things our world and this world of Rules have developed for the people in need. Each one of these objects are meant for the help of those who are disabled in someway or another. Either they can’t talk, or walk, have trouble walking.

Just like Jason, Jonathan Slifka from “A Spirit Without Match In Any Game” needs to move around in a wheelchair. Because of his spina bifida and his love for tennis, Jonathan is allowed two bounces before hitting a tennis ball. Jonathan's parents also created a camp to allow disabled youngsters enjoy tennis like everyone else. In the real world, people are making new things for those who have disabilities yet want to be treated equal. In real tennis, if a person in a wheelchair played, there would almost be no way for them to play. but according to the double bounce rule, people who have disabilities walking have just fair of a chance as those who can walk.

The book Rules and the article “A Spirit Without Match In Any Game” shows that the world has changed and is changing for those who are disabled. OT buildings, recreation centers for the disabled, ramps, two bounce rule, communication books, these are only examples from the book and article. Imaging all the things the world has created to help others would take hours! As the world is forever changing, it is also helping those in need adapt easier with the new inventions.