Abstract
There are a number of opposing principles in the minds and lives of human beings and among groups of human beings. Some of the opposing principles are captured in myth, culture and religion, for example the Chinese philosophical concept of yin and yang. Yin is the passive, negative force in the universe, while yang is the active, positive force. Yet, in Chinese culture, the yin and yang are complementary (rather than opposing) forces that interact to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts. Conceptualizing this duality is very helpful in examining the behavior of people and societies with respect to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) over the course of time.
Historically, and still in some parts of the world, people with IDD have been considered a burden on families and societies. Those families have been left to struggle through the tension between opposing forces of ‘this is the way things are’ versus ‘things can and should be better!’ Fortunately, the notion that the lives of people with IDD could be improved took shape in the United States in the mid-twentieth century, and it has spawned a cascade of events and developments that have improved the quality of life for individuals with IDD and their families, and has been a benefit to all of society around the world.
As we look to the future, there is still much to be done in promoting health equity around the world. We must continue to improve the lives of our fellow citizens in the global village and make sure that the next generation inherits a better world that they, in turn, can take a step further in realizing our vision.
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Rubin, I.L., Ervin, D.A., Merrick, J. (2016). A Glimpse into the Future. In: Rubin, I.L., Merrick, J., Greydanus, D.E., Patel, D.R. (eds) Health Care for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities across the Lifespan. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18096-0_172
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18096-0_172
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