Knowledge Check: Universal Design; Cancer-Related Cognitive Dysfunction

Universal Design-Ted Talk 

"Everyone has a disability to some extent and everyone has to figure out a way to cope around their disability." This was something that stood out to me in Michael Nesmith's Ted Talk. It's true. We do have to find ways around our problems, whether we have a disability like Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or something like a sprained wrist. I learned that this is why Universal Design is important. Universal Design is defined by the National Disability Authority as "the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability, or disability."  This is why things like automatic doors were created. The automatic door allows people with a number of "disabilities" or circumstances to enter a place. This includes (but doesn't limit to) people in wheelchairs, mother's with strollers, people who have difficulty turning a doorknob, etc. The invention of one universal design usually ends up in a snowball effect. It inspires people to either improve on the design or create more designs that help people in various ways. What a great way to serve people in all stages of life and all circumstances!

Link to the Ted Talk -Why We Need Universal Design:
Picture from: https://people.utm.my/azarimy/2016/10/universal-design-for-all/

Cancer-Related Cognitive Dysfunction: 

"Chemo-Fog"–I'd heard of that term before. However, I'd never heard of  Cancer-Related Cognitive Dysfunction. I learned through this podcast that the term "Chemo-Fog" is misleading. When a person hears the words Chemo-fog, they usually think about a patient with cancer who has undergone chemo treatment and has cognitive problems due to the chemo treatment. However, leading research has shown that the chemo treatment isn't the only cause of cognitive dysfunction among cancer patients. The research shows that specifically with breast cancer, cancer itself or other therapies such as radiation can cause cognitive dysfunction even after being cured of cancer. I also learned that Cancer-Related Cognitive Dysfunction can last for many years. It is important for cancer patients and cancer survivors to know that this is a factor so that they are aware of the changes that they can make to their daily lives in order to help their quality of life and their ability to complete daily tasks.

Link to the podcast: Cancer-Related Cognitive Dysfunction 
Picture from: https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/blog/brain-tumor/chemobrain-cognitive-dysfunction/