Uplifting Research Outcomes--Benefits to Families

I have been a supporter of stem cell research for quite some time.  Nearly eight years ago, the son of a friend of mine was diagnosed with Batten Disease.  Batten Disease is an autosomal recessive (needing the defective, recessive genes of both parents), neurodegenerative condition, which is not preventable or curable at this time.  Batten Disease is diagnosed in childhood and follows a typical progression of mental impairment, worsening seizures, and a progressive loss of sight and motor skills.  At age 5, my friend’s son was unable to be potty trained, and was considered legally blind.  He suffered tremendous social-emotional delays and struggled tremendously as changes were occurring so frequently, he had little time or ability to process them.  He was eventually enrolled in a special needs school where he did well, and he currently attends public school in his town and does well there, but the family’s life will never be easy.  He just celebrated his tenth birthday, but his condition has continued to worsen and odds are he will never become a teenager.  There are several research projects underway to attempt to learn more about the characteristics of the disease, whether or not it can be detected through prenatal screenings, improved treatments, and hopefully an eventual cure.  (www.bdsra.org)

Research projects have helped countless families battling seemingly insurmountable odds.  One such organization, of which I am a member is ViaCord.  Their research involves the stem cells collected from the umbilical cords of newborns.  Currently, their initiatives have shown benefit in the treatment possibilities for eighty known diseases.  This is double the potential of only three years ago.  While the topic of stem cell research can rouse many feelings and opinions, I feel as though the possibility of aiding in the treatment of a multitude of life-threatening conditions makes it highly valuable.  (www.viacord.com)

Both of these organizations provide countless stories and testimonials by families who have direct experience with medical research involving children and families.   It is through the sharing of stories, continued research proposals, and humans in need that great discoveries are made.  The insatiable quest for knowledge,  rigorous ethics standards and continuous collaboration of researchers and governmental organizations across the globe allows us to reap many of the benefits we take for granted today.  I hope that my story has, at the very least, invoked an appreciation for the efforts of researchers and given you yet another lens through which to view the bigger picture.

Narrowing it Down

After further contemplating my proposed research topics for the next several weeks, I have chosen to study the correlation between negative classroom behaviors and the amount of physical outlets of energy provided during the typical care/school day.  In conjunction with the knowledge that hands-on exploratory experiences are often the most well absorbed in regards to learning and the theory that children need at least an hour of physical activity built into their days, I believe that the rise in a more “structured” day without the outlet for physical energy has caused an increase in negative behaviors among young children.  It is my thought that as we struggle to attain high national expectations regarding education these days, we have taken away so many of the practices that work best when teaching children.  It is my hope to bring the natural, hands-on element back into the classroom, which should reduce stress levels for instructors, children, and their families, and also allow for greater absorption of required material by learners. 

By studying the correlation between behavior and physical expression, I hope to provide a base line for further research on the topics.  My study will be more broad-based, which can eventually lead to a dissection of behaviors among narrower age groups.   Further studies can also included the home and community elements regarding physical experiences outside of the school day. 

In the short time I have been completing this simulation, I have already encountered some roadblocks, including the amount of material available for study, deciphering between worthy sources, and digging deep to figure out what I hope to gain from my experiences and trials.  I enjoy the research process, but have always had a difficult time limiting myself, as I tend to want to include as much as possible.  I foresee this as being one of the greatest challenges for me.  I am excited to learn how others view my proposals and hope to learn a great deal from everyone’s experiences.  I look forward to working constructively with others to strengthen our research methodology and take greater strides toward improving early childhood efforts.

Research as the next step

As I take the next step in my journey, I want to wish all of my colleagues the best of luck.  Increasing the effectiveness of my research strategies is something that I look forward to.  I also hope to be able to utilize my background in the Biological Sciences to aid others on their quest.  I am hoping that not only will this new knowledge help me to become more successful in my profession, but also will allow me to better serve the children and families I have and will become privileged to work with.