Demographic Information
Setting
For my virtual observation, I watched Life According to Sam from YouTube and observed a glimpse of a student’s life. This student had Progeria. The student was usually at school or the hospital.
Students Observed
I observed one student his name was Sam. Sam was born October 23, 1996. Sam’s parents began to notice that he wasn’t gaining any weight after a year and a half. They eventually find out that Sam has Progeria through an X-ray. When Sam’s mother finds out that there is no cure or medicine for Progeria she begins to conduct research. With some help from a few friends his mother, Leslie, sets up The Progeria Research Foundation. They then discovered the gene for progeria. When the trials where finished the results showed improvement. However, two journals…show more content… Progeria is a genetic disease. This disease causes young children to have the appearance of premature aging. This disease is extremely rare.
Activities Observed
I observed Sam attending public school. Sam fit in perfectly at school. He had support from his teachers and his classmates. His classmates would request Sam’s help on their assignments. Sam enjoyed being near his friends. Sam stated that his friends is a big part of him. Sam also enjoyed playing with his Legos. He enjoyed it because the world he created with his Legos was his world. He mentions that this world goes by his rules. I think what Sam Is trying to say here is that he would like to be in control of his world.
I also observed Sam’s visits to the hospital and therapy sessions. Sam was in his mother’s trial of medicine for children with Progeria as well. Therefore, Sam had to attend many checkups. In his last visit for the trail Sam had to undergo one-hundred test. Sam stayed strong during this time until the medical photography began. He said during this process that he didn’t feel like himself. Instead, he felt like he was just a part of Progeria.
Reflection
Professional’s
