by KAREN LAGRANGE COX
No one is exempt from the possibility of having physical or mental disabilities, not even Superman, by way of actor Christopher Reeve. Reeve played the superhero four times in movies from 1978-1987. The only thing that could harm Superman was kryptonite.
In 1995, Reeve was paralyzed in a horse-jumping accident. The accident was Reeve’s kryptonite, which confined Reeve to a wheelchair with a tracheostomy. He needed total assistance with his daily living skills. On October 10, 2004, Reeve died from cardiac arrest after being given an antibiotic to treat an infective pressure sore, a common complication for someone with limited mobility. [source: Wikipedia]
No One is Exempt from the Possibility of Disability
Disability has no prejudice. It can occur before birth, at birth, from an accident, or disease. It does not look at age, gender, race, nationality, social status, or financial status; it can happen to anyone anytime.
According to a report, ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed released in July 2022, in Louisiana alone, there are 716,266 persons with disabilities, equating to sixteen percent of Louisiana’s population (statistics from 2019).
Persons with disabilities, no matter of age, may need help and support from others. People with disabilities may need family, friends, or caretakers to help them achieve their daily living skills.
In some cases, people with disabilities may be excluded and isolated from family, friends, and their community, thereby being less visible to others. This may create a closed environment, which could leave the person vulnerable to abuse and neglect by others. Family and friends may be unaware of the potential abuse and neglect a person with disabilities may face.
If abuse is suspected or seen happening to anyone, it is essential to report it to the proper agency for an investigation to determine whether abuse or neglect occurs.
Call 911 immediately if witnessing a life-threatening situation for a child, adult or elderly – with or without disabilities.
Reports of abuse may be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Child Abuse and Neglect (with or without disabilities) –
- Adult Protection Services (ages 18-59)
- Elderly Protective Services (age 60 and older)
- Call (833)-577-6532 or (225) 342-0144.
Louisiana Laws Against Abuse
- Abuse of children; reports; waiver of privilege Louisiana RS 14:403
- Abuse and neglect of adults law Louisiana RS 14:403.2
- Elderly abuse; release of information Louisiana RS 46:61
