Scenario: Jonathan and Karen
Jonathan and Karen are a couple who have been married for 7 years. They are currently living in poverty, and are having difficulty putting food on the table every night. Karen is 8 weeks pregnant. She was adopted at birth, and knows nothing about her birth family. Karen recently started experiencing symptoms such as dizziness and issues with her vision. She was evaluated by a doctor and diagnosed with a genetic disorder that is progressive in nature. The course of the disorder is unpredictable, and it is suspected to have a genetic link. The couple is concerned about how the pregnancy may impact Karen’s genetic disorder, and they are also concerned about transmitting the disorder to the baby. Jonathan and Karen have been trying for a long time to have a child, and they have come to you for some guidance on how to deal with some of their concerns, and the stress that they are experiencing related to their situation.
1. Using the epigenetic model, illustrate how you would address the couple’s concerns related to the possible transmission of the disorder to the baby.
2. Explain how you would approach the issues the couple is experiencing related to poverty. Examine how you would discuss the impact of inadequate nutrition on the baby while keeping in mind the fact that the couple is already experiencing many concerns about their situation.
3. In thinking of your role as a human service professional, explore and analyze some of the resources in your own community that would be able to assist this couple. Share these resources with the class and explain why you chose them, if you feel the resources in your community are adequate, and if not what is missing.