Comments on: “If I had a retard for a kid…” http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/ Springfield MO area news politics and family life Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:16:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: LaWanna http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-3044 LaWanna Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:02:03 +0000 http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-3044 Your post really touched my heart. That woman must be very miserable within herself to take such nasty pot shots at a child. I feel sad for her chilren who obviously are off in a world of their own and she didn't even 'catch that'. She actually reminds me of a few teachers my son has had. Most were great but some were too overloaded to bother with a special needs child. I have a child with severe ADHD that was misdiagnosed for a while as autism. My son didn't qualify for an Educational IEP although the phys elav more than strongly suggested it. We have fought and struggled with the school system every year only to fail, at my son's expense. I also have a friend with a child with Austism and a nephew as well in the Autism spectrum. Life is different raising a child with autism, but the rewards are just as great. You keep doing what you're doing. Raising awareness is key. If this is something you'd find of interest it could be adapted (have already toyed with the idea) for children with special needs. I created a Child ID Safety Kit that is pretty comprehensive. I set it up to be customizable for businesses to hand out like they do ink pens and calendars. It can be delivered by 1) active online 2) download 3) CD-ROM. I'd be happy to customize you a version for your Autism Walk. I'd be willing to do the cutomization work free and give you a master copy with permission to duplicate to hand out free or to offer as a downlod from your site. If you are interested here is the link http://www.spfdbus.com/identification/Default.htm On the left click the "More Versions" button to see how different the program looks when customized for different businesses. That will give you an idea of what we can do to customize it for your walk. Then when a lady like the one in your story does as she did you can kindly(while hiding the grinding of your teeth) hand her something to help safegaurd her children and maybe she'll learn and think differently the next time. We have talked about customizing the information in the kit as well as the id card part and the missing child forms etc to include the info that would be needed if a special needs child went missing. Let me know if you think this would be something you'd be interested in sharing with other parents. No strings attached, just help get it into the hands of more parents. Your post really touched my heart. That woman must be very miserable within herself to take such nasty pot shots at a child. I feel sad for her chilren who obviously are off in a world of their own and she didn’t even ‘catch that’. She actually reminds me of a few teachers my son has had. Most were great but some were too overloaded to bother with a special needs child. I have a child with severe ADHD that was misdiagnosed for a while as autism. My son didn’t qualify for an Educational IEP although the phys elav more than strongly suggested it. We have fought and struggled with the school system every year only to fail, at my son’s expense. I also have a friend with a child with Austism and a nephew as well in the Autism spectrum. Life is different raising a child with autism, but the rewards are just as great. You keep doing what you’re doing. Raising awareness is key. If this is something you’d find of interest it could be adapted (have already toyed with the idea) for children with special needs. I created a Child ID Safety Kit that is pretty comprehensive. I set it up to be customizable for businesses to hand out like they do ink pens and calendars. It can be delivered by 1) active online 2) download 3) CD-ROM. I’d be happy to customize you a version for your Autism Walk. I’d be willing to do the cutomization work free and give you a master copy with permission to duplicate to hand out free or to offer as a downlod from your site. If you are interested here is the link http://www.spfdbus.com/identification/Default.htm On the left click the “More Versions” button to see how different the program looks when customized for different businesses. That will give you an idea of what we can do to customize it for your walk. Then when a lady like the one in your story does as she did you can kindly(while hiding the grinding of your teeth) hand her something to help safegaurd her children and maybe she’ll learn and think differently the next time. We have talked about customizing the information in the kit as well as the id card part and the missing child forms etc to include the info that would be needed if a special needs child went missing. Let me know if you think this would be something you’d be interested in sharing with other parents. No strings attached, just help get it into the hands of more parents.

]]> By: lookingforlifeshumor http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-2418 lookingforlifeshumor Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:01:30 +0000 http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-2418 I also can relate. The dirty looks, the nasty comments, the intent to shame or humiliate from strangers... it still pains me after having to deal with it for years. I find myself trying to balance sheilding my son from intolerant people with exposing him to life's realities so he will learn how to operate in this world. How can I teach him to stand up for himself? I am still learning the finer points. While many can be horrid, there are also strangers who approach me with kindness and grace and compassion when I least expect it. It doesn't even out - nowhere close - but it is one of the ways I know that God's angels walk the earth. I also can relate. The dirty looks, the nasty comments, the intent to shame or humiliate from strangers… it still pains me after having to deal with it for years. I find myself trying to balance sheilding my son from intolerant people with exposing him to life’s realities so he will learn how to operate in this world. How can I teach him to stand up for himself? I am still learning the finer points. While many can be horrid, there are also strangers who approach me with kindness and grace and compassion when I least expect it. It doesn’t even out - nowhere close - but it is one of the ways I know that God’s angels walk the earth.

]]> By: Rebecca H http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-50 Rebecca H Mon, 10 Sep 2007 01:15:11 +0000 http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-50 As I read your article, I found myself nodding more than usual at the familiarity of it all. My son, Ryan, who will be six at the end of Sept, has gotten some of the dirtiest looks when we've been out in public, directly after I've gotten the same ones. I used to find myself having to explain that my son was in fact Autistic, but to ppl who really did not 'understand' what that word meant. I even came across sites that offered business-like cards with explanations on different signs of Autism, as well as an apology. An apology? It's not my fault or my child's that he's special needs, so what am I apologizing for, exactly? Sure, he's got the greatest smile, and yes, his behavior may be disruptive at times, but to be made to feel I have to offer an apology for a conditon that a vast amount of ppl are still not aware of, I don't think so. I've learned to not cower at the first sign of someone showing disapproval of my child's actions, and to not be embarrassed if he is acting up here and there. I know I'm doing all I can, and if ppl want to judge me for being the best parent I can be, while struggling as a single parent, then I will gladly be open to an apology from them. Thank you for your blogs, I have enjoyed reading them. As I read your article, I found myself nodding more than usual at the familiarity of it all. My son, Ryan, who will be six at the end of Sept, has gotten some of the dirtiest looks when we’ve been out in public, directly after I’ve gotten the same ones. I used to find myself having to explain that my son was in fact Autistic, but to ppl who really did not ‘understand’ what that word meant. I even came across sites that offered business-like cards with explanations on different signs of Autism, as well as an apology. An apology? It’s not my fault or my child’s that he’s special needs, so what am I apologizing for, exactly? Sure, he’s got the greatest smile, and yes, his behavior may be disruptive at times, but to be made to feel I have to offer an apology for a conditon that a vast amount of ppl are still not aware of, I don’t think so. I’ve learned to not cower at the first sign of someone showing disapproval of my child’s actions, and to not be embarrassed if he is acting up here and there. I know I’m doing all I can, and if ppl want to judge me for being the best parent I can be, while struggling as a single parent, then I will gladly be open to an apology from them. Thank you for your blogs, I have enjoyed reading them.

]]> By: Jason http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-43 Jason Mon, 03 Sep 2007 20:29:10 +0000 http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-43 If you would be willing to identify yourself to me via e-mail I'll be happy to discuss it with you. If you would be willing to identify yourself to me via e-mail I’ll be happy to discuss it with you.

]]> By: anon http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-40 anon Sat, 01 Sep 2007 18:31:39 +0000 http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-40 Jason, while I'm not forgiving what the woman said and agree that it is horrible, consider your description of that family. Are you not also passing judgement on them and, in effect, insulting them with your description? What do you mean to imply about the daughter, son, and husband? Jason, while I’m not forgiving what the woman said and agree that it is horrible, consider your description of that family. Are you not also passing judgement on them and, in effect, insulting them with your description?

What do you mean to imply about the daughter, son, and husband?

]]> By: Amy http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-34 Amy Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:47:51 +0000 http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-34 Jason, there's a website I'd like to share with you: www.defectiveyeti.com. The gentleman who maintains that site is also the parent of an autistic son. It's not all he writes about, but I thought you'd like to know about it. Secondly, it is unfortunate people like Moore aren't doing documentaries on Autism. More unfortunate still there are ignorant people in the world like you encountered. But I am heartened to see you speak out about it, because it is so very important to speak up. Jason, there’s a website I’d like to share with you: http://www.defectiveyeti.com. The gentleman who maintains that site is also the parent of an autistic son. It’s not all he writes about, but I thought you’d like to know about it. Secondly, it is unfortunate people like Moore aren’t doing documentaries on Autism. More unfortunate still there are ignorant people in the world like you encountered. But I am heartened to see you speak out about it, because it is so very important to speak up.

]]> By: Mary Helen http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-31 Mary Helen Wed, 29 Aug 2007 17:03:52 +0000 http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-31 As a parent of two small boys, I know the waiting in the restaurant with slow service is a challenging experience for a parent regardless of who your child is. Therefore I think what surprises me most about this is that the offensive woman was a mother. Maybe she had forgotten what it was like when her children actually interacted with her. I have worked with people with autism spectrum disorders a lot, and find them to be enjoyable people with a lot to offer. Hopefully your son will encounter more educated and thoughtful people in the future. As a parent of two small boys, I know the waiting in the restaurant with slow service is a challenging experience for a parent regardless of who your child is. Therefore I think what surprises me most about this is that the offensive woman was a mother. Maybe she had forgotten what it was like when her children actually interacted with her.

I have worked with people with autism spectrum disorders a lot, and find them to be enjoyable people with a lot to offer. Hopefully your son will encounter more educated and thoughtful people in the future.

]]> By: Jack http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-27 Jack Tue, 28 Aug 2007 20:32:34 +0000 http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-27 Happens all the time. I've heard many a similiar story during my time when I worked with persons who have disabilities. Too bad that happens. Happens all the time. I’ve heard many a similiar story during my time when I worked with persons who have disabilities.

Too bad that happens.

]]> By: Darin Codon http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-24 Darin Codon Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:31:48 +0000 http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-24 There is more awareness than ever these days. We're also learning how to communicate and teach autistic children more effectively than ever. It's sad that while we go through a learning curve, the type of ignorance above exists. There is more awareness than ever these days. We’re also learning how to communicate and teach autistic children more effectively than ever.

It’s sad that while we go through a learning curve, the type of ignorance above exists.

]]> By: Larry Litle http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-22 Larry Litle Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:42:39 +0000 http://lifeofjason.com/2007/08/26/if-i-had-a-retard-for-a-kid/#comment-22 It saddens my heart to see such ignorance in people as in this lady. I can see why the daughter kept the Ipod on the entire time. It saddens my heart to see such ignorance in people as in this lady. I can see why the daughter kept the Ipod on the entire time.

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