Consequences of Stress on Children’s Development
Diseases
One of my closest friends have a niece and she was diagnosed with Cancer at the age of 11. She was in the 6th grade, her first year in middle school. She just really started and had made some new friends. She started to get really sick and really couldn’t go to school, she started her chemo and start losing her hair. She cried every night because she felt like she was ugly and that her friends wouldn’t be her friend anymore. She started to have very low self esteem. When she was able to go back to school some kids were very mean. They used to pick and tease her because she wore wigs. (Not knowing the reason to her wearing them) Children can be very mean. This really made things hard for her and it affected her biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial development. It took her a couple years to build confidences and just embrace her inner beauty. She is now 21 and cancer free!
In India, Cancer in children is a major public health issue. Cancer is seen in 1.6 to 4.8 % of children below 15 years of age. In India 40,000 children each year diagnosed with cancer. Even though there are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery cancer is abysmal in India. Families can’t afford the treatments or have access to the care. This is very sad and hurtful.
Reference
Cancer is a disease that has been destroying a lot of families lately. I just lost my boyfriend to Colon cancer in 2015, i think its a blessing that your friends niece is now cancer free, everyone doesn't get to live to tell that story. This disease is a stressor that affects everyone children and adults. Thanks for sharing such a positive post.
ReplyDeleteDeaja,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story about childhood cancer. I have had students with cancer. One was a friend's nephew and he passed away at the age of 6 because of neuroblastoma (brain cancer). The second student was first diagnosed with a brain tumor in prekindergarten after we noticed he was complaining of headaches and not being his usual self. He has has two more tumors since then. This time, he is 13 and the cancer (glioblastoma)is not treatable. He has less than a year to live. The last student had leukemia at the age of 4. She is now 12 and in remission. I am happy to hear that your friend's niece is cancer free. I feel everyone has a story about cancer and that alone is a sad statement. Because we have been affected by cancer in our lives, my daughter has decided to help child cancer patients for her bronze award in Girl Scouts.
Trish