Consequences of Stress on Children’s Development-Heart condition

My close friend form college, Brianna Magruder, was born with a heart condition where her heart is to big for her body. Throughout her life, she has had 3 heart surgery's, an she is about to undergo another one within the up and coming year.  As a child she experienced pain in her body(main the chest area), ans was in the hospital numerous times. This affected her physical, social and emotional well-being. It was not easy for her to make new friends, the children would tease her at times, because of the scar left behind form the surgery. She was not able to play with other children/and her friends all the time like regular children do; she also missed out on a lot of adventures her friends would take. Often times Brianna asked herself, "why me"? She always wondered why she had to be born with this heart condition; why was she the chosen one. This not only affected her emotional but it also affected her family, especially her mother. Her mother believed it was her fault she was born with the condition. Brianna informed she her and her family sought counseling, and of course medical attention to help solve the issues they were facing. Today Brianna is more open to and accepting to talk about her condition. She told me that she did not have the easiest childhood growing up, but she appreciates every second of life. She also said at times she still does not understand why she was the "chosen one'.

Another part of the world I wanted to learn about was South Africa. Some of there stressors include HIV/AIDS, food insecurity, poverty, children vulnerability now an din the future, public health, social and family environment. They are extremely worried about their children in South Africa. They are striving today to come with helpful resources for the people in the country. The government plans on doing interventions to break the negative cycle threatening the children. They say they will take any help they can get to improve in their country.

Child Development and Public Health

The public health topic I chose was Nutrition/malnutrition. I chose this topic because I feel every child should be getting the nutrients they need each day to grow and be health, but reality sinks in, and I know there are thousands of children who are not. Children need nutrition to grow mentally Malnutrition is the lack of nutrients needed for proper health and development. Someone can be malnourished for a long or short period of time, and the condition may be mild or severe. People who are malnourished are more likely to get sick and, in severe cases, might even die. In Africa statics show that one in ten infants die within the first twelve months of life due to malnutrition. One in five children suffers from chronic malnutrition, one in ten children suffers from severe malnutrition, and more than one in five children are physically stunted due to malnutrition. Also, in Africa 75% if South Africans have inadequate access to food. This saddens my heart to know that so many children are dying in the world due to the lack of access to food.  I believe that children have the right to a caring, protective environment and to nutritious food and basic health care to protect them from illness and promote growth and development. In my future endeavors, I think it would be pretty cool to teach my children about nutrition/malnutrition around the world. As a teacher, I can collect food items from my students and their families, and make care packages to send to children around the world. I can also set up a foundation where people can donate money or food to be sent to families in need.

THE EXPERIENCE OF CHILDBIRTH

A personal birthing experience that was important to me was the birth of my cousin. I was important to be because she was going to be named after me, and she was born on my birthday!!! We are twins born 14 years apart!!! I remember the family all being at the hospital waiting in the hospital lobby. My cousin was born early, so it was a surprise when she went into labor. Everyone in the family was about to go out to eat to celebrate my birthday! I received the best gift that year!

I decided to look up childbirth in Afghanistan. I chose this place, because I had just read an article involving education in Afghanistan. Women who are pregnant do not get the nurture they need.  In fact, birth is a deadly challenge in Afghanistan. One thing that bothered me was that, if doctors deliver a girl, they really do not pay attention to her, and after birth the mother and child are not allowed to stay in the hospital.

I believe no matter the gender, all children should be treated equally.