Nurse with muscular dystrophy plays 'guinea pig' for muscular dystrophy research

"Curtis Shortt has been a nurse at Southeast Alabama Medical Center since 2000. Today, Shortt works in the hospital's telemetry department so that he can keep working despite having muscular dystrophy."

He doesn’t mind being a medical guinea pig.

"Shortt has facioscapulohumeral dystrophy. It’s one of the more common forms of muscular dystrophy in children and adults, affecting muscles of the face, shoulders and upper arms and eventually muscles in the feet, hips and abdomen.

"Shortt makes trips to cities like Chicago, New York, Atlanta and Birmingham to donate blood and tissue for muscular dystrophy research." 

Read more about Curtis here:  


http://www.dothaneagle.com/lifestyles/local-nurse-plays-guinea-pig-for-muscular-dystrophy-research/article_6bca7c16-1897-5af8-af54-fe5b001469de.html

Bravo Curtis!

With thanks for all you do,

Donna

Do we take for granted that a nurse with a disability will return to nursing?

Recently I was reading an article written by Rose Felder, a nurse with a

disability. After many years of working as a nurse— in mental health settings and

with patients with tuberculosis— Rose was injured in an automobile accident.

Long months of rehabilitation followed the accident—related to a dozen fractures,

emotional shock, pain, double vision and a speech defect. She endured an

unending round of physiotherapy, stairs, wheels and exercises.

One day, Rose voiced her thoughts about returning to work. An

appointment was promptly made for her to visit with the counseling and

placement service of her state nurses association.

            Rose thought the visit with the counselor was a futile gesture—

but went to the appointment. She was surprised to discover that the

counselor took it for granted that she would return to nursing. And, within a few

days, Rose was back in uniform working three mornings a week on staff

duty—where she was met with patience and understanding.

            What surprised me most is the fact that this story was published in 1949!!!

Do we currently take it for granted that a nurse

 with a disability will return to nursing?

Were “things” different in 1949?

Have attitudes changed?..... If so, why?

Please share your thoughts,
Donna

Felder, R. (1949). The Handicapped Nurse. The American Journal of Nursing, 49 (3), 155.       

http://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/Citation/1949/03000/The_Handicapped_Nurse.26.aspx