Week 9

Khalid and Sasha have continued to thrive in their relationship and in their lives. Khalid has struggled with his TBI over the years, but, at 57, he is happy to be doing pretty well. He and Sasha adopted 3 children from Russia, and the two enjoyed their 4 children for the many years they were living at home. Sasha still works as an attorney, and the two enjoy time traveling and being involved in the local community. Khalid has started a local club for children who struggle with various forms of hearing impairment, and he sits on the board of several local community agencies.

Khalid has become somewhat concerned recently as he seems to be forgetting more things than usual, and he sometimes has horrible migraine headaches during which even prescription medications provide little comfort.

Khalid visits his mother often, and she is in relatively good health. She has developed difficulty with her hearing, and she and Khalid often communicate through sign language, reminding them both of Khalid's childhood.

* Describe typical developmental milestones during middle adulthood.

* Is Khalid more at risk for dementia owing to his TBI?

Week 8

Khalid became a standout at USC and quickly came to the attention of pro scouts. His hearing impairment was adequately managed with hearing aids, but these were cumbersome during games.  Still Khalid found a way to thrive in the environment of "big time" football. He even enjoyed it. He was drafted by a professional team and played for 5 years until he sustained a nagging concussion that would not abate. He was forced to retire early, and he still struggles with post-concussion syndrome in spite of being away from football for some time. The doctors have indicated that he has a mild traumatic brain injury.

Most days for Khalid are good, however, and he is able to manage the symptoms of his TBI with the help of his partner of 6 years, Sasha. The two met at a charity function when Khalid was playing in the NFL, and they have been together ever since. Because of the money Khalid received during his time with the team, the two are able to live modestly but well, traveling often. At 35 years of age, Khalid could not have imagined this is how his life would have turned out, and, while he misses the competition of football, he is thrilled to have a life of ease.  Sasha works as a paralegal and is pursuing a career as an attorney.

Their daughter is now 4, and the two are considering adoption. Sasha has important values around environmental issues, and the couple has come to think that one child is "enough" from a biological standpoint, but the two want a larger family.



* Is there evidence of other sense becoming more acute when one sense is challenged? In other words, is it possible that Khalid's vision, sense of smell, etc. were better owing to his hearing loss? Is there neurological evidence for this hypothesis?

* What are the risks of head injury for young boys playing football? What about high school and college students? What about professional athletes?

* Is Khalid's TBI likely to worsen? On what factors might this depend?

* What is the time period for early adulthood? What are the physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional changes that typically take place during this period?   

Week 7

Khalid has been thriving on his high school’s football team.  He has struggled to keep up with math, even after being identified as a student with a learning disability in math. He got behind and has struggled to catch up. Even though he is widely seen as one of the best players in the state, his mother is concerned that his academic ability may keep him from getting a college scholarship. She wishes her husband were alive to see how good he is at this strange, American sport. 

Khalid uses hearing aids while he is not on the field, and a system of non-verbal cues and some assistive technology helps him when he is on the field. After some initial hesitation, his school has come to rely on him on the field, and he anchors the team. Now that he is in his senior year, everyone expects his 6' 6" frame to lead the team to a state championship. There have already been colleges looking at Khalid, including Notre Dame, the University of Southern California and Auburn. All that is important to Khalid's mother is that wherever he goes he be able to practice his Muslim faith without difficulty or question.

Khalid is thrilled to be such an important part of the team. He hasn't let it "go to his head" and manages to keep a good sense of himself. He credits his mother's realistic attitude for that, and her constant focus on doing one's best without regard for accolades. He is well-liked in his school and is something of a local celebrity, particularly in his modesty.

Sure enough, the team was on a tear this year, beating all opponents by at least 14 points on each outing. They easily made it into the playoffs and won the state championship on a last minute drive spurred on by Khalid's interception and run back to midfield. 

* Describe typical ego development for an 18 year old. How do you think Khalid's learning disability and hearing impairment might affect his sense of himself?

* What resources are available at most large universities for students with disabilities? Sample 5 different schools including the ones mentioned above. Are some better than others at working with students with disabilities? How much should this figure into a student's decision on where to attend college? 

* Compare the above schools to JMU's Office of Disability Services. Do you see major differences? Similarities? Are there particular strengths of certain programs over others?

DECISION POINT:

Is Khalid accepted to a university? Which one?