September 22, 2007 10:31 AM
Disabilities and prejudice - working through it
I thought of this picture the other day. It's Norman Rockwell's The Problem We All Live With.
I know when I posted a while ago that Justin was the first MR (the mentally retarded label used in Loudoun County) student to be enrolled at our local school, someone expressed surprise. It certainly is interesting, isn't it?
There's more to the story to tell. We've hit a major bump in the road which I have been spending a lot of time trying to work through. I'm waiting two weeks until the school district has a chance to address it in a manner that ensures a non-discriminatory atmosphere for Justin and every other developmentally delayed student who plans to enter his school - then I will go into more detail about the prejudice we've encountered and whether or not it was properly resolved.
But just so you know what we're going through, I thought I'd share the picture. Sometimes prejudice is obvious - like the splattered tomato above. Sometimes it is more sophisticated and subtle. But either way, people who love children of all races and all ability levels need to speak up to defend those children and pave the way for a better future for all.
Posted in Disabilities, Down syndrome, Inclusion, Loudoun County | Permalink
Comments
A particular pet peeve of mine is hearing my son referred to in IEP meetings as "these kids". Especially when it follows the phrase "As you know..."
Generally, when I hear "As you know... these kids..." I know the teacher doesn't want to (or simply isn't equipped) to provide a 'least restrictive' environment.
In our county, the 'least restrictive' = sending all sp. ed. kids to the same school (busing them in, regardless of what their real school is supposed to be.) I'm interested to hear your story and how you solved it.
Posted by: Milehimama | September 23, 2007 3:42 PM
I just wanted to poke my head out of lurkdomville (sounds a little like Dr.Seuss!)and let you know how much I appreciate all your informative posts about "downzers". You have been in my prayers.
Posted by: EvaB | September 24, 2007 3:40 PM
My son was the second child with autism to attend his primary school. The school had previous experience of one child with aspergers syndrome....as you probably know the autistic spectrum varies widely, what drove me mad was that many of the teachers assumed they were experts in autism because they had taught one child with this condition, and were surprised when my son did not behave or learn like the other child!
However I do feel that we have been trend setters, the local school has now taken a little boy with Downs syndrome and another child with autism!
Posted by: Sue | September 25, 2007 11:56 AM
