Social Work Internship Blog

Recently I was tasked with entering information about our clients into a database, Therap. One of the questions raised was regarding Advanced Directives, and whether the client had one. Most of our clients do not have Advanced Directives. However, there was one situation in which the client did have a Do Not Resuscitate order. Although I don't have a particular value regarding DNRs, I have to admit this made me feel a bit conflicted. The person is a young man who is not his own guardian. So, he would have to have the legal paperwork signed by the person legally responsible for making such choices and signing for them. I do not cast judgment on the guardian for doing so. I do not know the complete history of the situation, nor have I ever been in a situation in which I have had to make such decisions for my own child. The client is a young man who suffers from health issues in which this choice would more than likely be necessary in the coming year. However, my dilemma is whether or

What potential social work dilemmas exist in habilitation? One of the biggest ethical issues that might occur is not respecting the dignity and worth of the person. In working with individuals with intellectual challenges, those who have not worked in the field may have preconceived ideas about the abilities of a person we serve. Without realizing it, we may make decisions without consulting the person we are making them about! When I started my internship, Grace (my field supervisor) gave me a journal article titled    Balancing the right to habilitation with the right to personal liberties: the rights of people with developmental disabilities to eat too many doughnuts and take a nap (Bannerman, Sheldon, Shermak, and Harchik, 1990). This was an eye opening article about what a great responsibility habilitation professionals have in honoring the choices of our clients. We're often the choosers of goals and activities, the makers of schedules. How do we balance the right of our clie