Steve Irwin’s death.
Introduction:
For the past term, our topic has been death, dying, and the afterlife. I have enjoyed this topic as I have never done anything like it before. I feel a greater understanding of the process and a deeper connection to my ancestors. Here are a few tasks we had to complete regarding this topic.
Smallpox
When did it start:
The exact start date is unknown but evidence suggests smallpox reached places like the Philippines as early as the 4th century due to trade. During the 18th century there were many major outbreaks, particularly in Southeast Asia. Even in the 20th century smallpox was still a major global threat, causing widespread death and suffering. The last naturally occurring case of smallpox was recorded in Somalia in 1977, and the disease was officially declared eradicated in 1980.
What caused smallpox:
The main agent responsible for smallpox was variola virus. The virus spread from person to person, primarily through when an infected individual coughed or sneezed. It could also be transmitted through contact with contaminated objects or bodily fluids. Smallpox was eradicated in 1980, making it the first and only human disease to be eliminated worldwide, thanks to the global vaccination.
How was an affected person’s hauroa impacted:
Smallpox significantly impacts a person’s well-being, leading to severe illness, potential death, and lasting physical and psychological consequences. Small pox affects someone’s hauroa mentally because the virus can damage vital organs, including the lungs, leading to pneumonia and breathing difficulties, and potentially cause kidney failure or heart problems. During outbreaks, individuals with smallpox need to be isolated to prevent the spread of the disease, which can lead to social isolation and loneliness
How did they practice death during the outbreak?
Because smallpox was highly contagious, funerals were often very limited or delayed. Bodies were often buried quickly and sometimes secretly to avoid spreading the disease or causing panic. In some cultures, only a few close family members were allowed to attend funerals. Those handling the dead often wore some kind of protective clothing or covered their faces to avoid infection. Coffins might be sealed tightly, or bodies wrapped carefully, to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Because of the fear of contagion, people sometimes avoided the sick and the dying altogether. This could mean that some died alone or with minimal care. In severe outbreaks with many deaths, mass graves were sometimes used to quickly and safely bury the dead.
Explain chosen topic:
Steve Irwin, also known as the Crocodile Hunter, was an incredible zookeeper; he dedicated his life to wildlife and education. His goal was to share his love and passion for animals with the world. Steve Irwin’s passion for wildlife began at a very young age. In September 2006, Steve was filming for The Ocean’s Deadliest Catch near the Great Barrier Reef. When the unpredictable happened. Steve Irwin was swimming in very shallow water when a Venomous Bull stingray appeared underneath him. The stingray felt a need for defense and attacked Steve Irwin, stabbing him in the heart with its tail, leading Steve to go into cardiac arrest almost immediately. He was announced dead less than an hour later.
Interesting information:
His parents, Bob and Lyn Irwin, founded the Beerwah Reptile Park on 6 acres in 1970, which was later renamed Australia Zoo. Steve accompanied his father on regular journeys into the outback to find/trap lizards, venomous snakes, and crocodiles. As Steve grew older, he began filming videos of his encounters with the animals. He showed this to a producer at Australia’s Channel 10 network, and the producer suggested that he make a documentary. The Crocodile Hunter which was first aired in Australia in 1992. This immediate success led him to make many more documentaries as well as a regular series. After Steve’s increase in popularity, it allowed him to rename the Beerwah zoo to the Australia zoo, which is now around 750 acres. Here is a link to support the information I found.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Steve-Irwin
- Explain how you demonstrated respect towards others’ cultural beliefs that are different to yours? How would showing respect enhance others’ Hauora?
I demonstrated respect towards others by validating their identity, giving people my full attention and promoting a sense of belonging and safety. Respect is crucial for building and maintaining good and positive friendships. Respecting someone’s contributions will help maintain a well balanced hauroa, as it gives them a sense of safety and warmth which helps someone feel more confident and heard which will help them enhance their social wellbeing. Which will make them feel better mentally and physically.
Why is it important that you take care of all areas of hauora when we experience change, loss, or grief? You need to ensure you relate your answers back to Te Whare Tapa Whā.
It’s important to care for all areas of hauora during change, loss, or grief because Te Whare Tapa Whā is like a house/ whare cannot stand strong if even one of its walls is weak or damaged. For example if you recently went through a breakup this would first impact your mental and emotional wellbeing but that would eventually impact your social wellbeing because you may feel the need to isolate yourself from loved ones around you. After a breakup it may affect your sleep schedule and appetite affecting your Physical wellbeing. Ignoring or forgetting one of the 4 dimensions can and will lead to a lack of purpose and may cause you to isolate yourself from others.For some, a relationship may be deeply connected to their sense of purpose or a belief system, affecting your spiritual wellbeing. Which may cause other negative consequences across your daily life.