Microcephaly

The Zika virus is dominating the news right now. In Brazil, the possibility of a link to microcephaly has been raised. Microcephaly causes a baby to be born with a small head and can lead to the brain not developing properly. It is a rare condition, but one that has been around for longer. In the video, you can learn what it is like to live with microcephaly.

Read the following words and phrases and their definitions.

• condition: a sickness or disease that a person has for a long time
• paediatrician: a doctor who treats babies and children
• unconditional love: complete and absolute love that is not limited in any way
• gene: a part of a cell that controls or influences the appearance, growth, etc., of a living thing
• faulty gene: an imperfect gene; a gene that has mistakes
• contagious: having a sickness that easily can be passed to someone else, for example by touching
• nasty: very unpleasant and unkind
• put down: to kill (an animal) in a way that causes it little pain usually because it is injured or sick

First read the assignment. Next watch the video. Take notes to help you do the assignment.

1. What expectations did doctors have for Shiven when he was just born?
   Name at least 2 examples.


2. Shiven is at the more severe end of the microcephaly spectrum.
   Explain the underlined phrase.


3. What is the most positive thing about 19-year-old Shiven according to his mum?


4. Microcephaly has a number of causes.
   Name the two causes mentioned in the video.


5. What is the difference between Shiven’s and Robin’s condition?


6. How does Robin describe his condition?


7. What do children born with microcephaly need most according to Shiven’s mum?

Extra speaking assignment
“Shiven is proof that with the right support people with the condition can have a good quality of life.”

1. Work in smaller groups or as a class.
2. Watch the video once more, this time with the above statement in mind.
3. Discuss the statement with your classmates.
4. State whether you agree or disagree with the statement. Explain your opinion.