High school bans special needs student from wearing letter jacket
A high school student who suffers from autism and Down Syndrome was given a varsity letter by his mother to celebrate that he had begun playing special needs basketball at his high school, and then shockingly told he had no right to wear that letter.
Michael Kelley, who attends East High School in Wichita, Kansas, wore the letter, which his mother purchased for him, on a jacket, until he was told to remove it and never wear it again at school.
And not only did the school tell the young man he could not wear his letter, but they are now firmly standing behind their decision.
I have to agree with the school on this one. Varsity letters are not just given out they are earned. You have to play a certain amount of time to get that letter.
Sorry for the special needs kids but this is the same as everyone gets a trophy. It diminishes what people have worked hard to achieve. Now if the team got together and awarded him a letter thats another thing all together.
3:04 I'm sure it won't be a popular opinion, but I completely agree with you.
After he'd completed his time and had some kind of accomplishment, then he should be eligible for a letter celebrating his contribution to the special needs team. His mother was trying to build up his self esteem, but just making the team and successfully playing the games is a great boost to his confidence. Now that she's rewarded him with a "You're A Winner" prize without having to "be a winner" by sticking to it and overcoming personal obstacles, there's no more real incentive for him to persevere.
Which is a shame, because these kids need as much motivation as possible to reach their full potential, whatever that may be.
Just getting to wear the team jersey and be supported as part of a team, is wonderful for him. But the competition must always be there, at least at a personal level, or it loses meaning for everyone involved.
Now that he's got one, regardless of whether he really was a "star special needs" player, every other kid on the team is going to be heartbroken because they "deserve" one too. He shouldn't wear it, because it isn't fair to the other special needs kids on his team, let alone the regular athletes who have worked for it.
Being a "winner" isn't bestowed by a token symbol. That's a lesson even the "special needs" people should learn as well.
I'm sure this mother would be the first to say that she doesn't want her son treated differently. Yet, that's exactly what she's advocating. I agree with the two previous comments.
Too late.A spectacle has already been made of special needs.That happens when concerned citizens do what they think is right.They think that attention to an issue equates to public outrage.Some may be outraged,but people with special needs would much rather slide under the radar than be the center of attention.
I have to agree with the school on this one. Varsity letters are not just given out they are earned. You have to play a certain amount of time to get that letter.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the special needs kids but this is the same as everyone gets a trophy. It diminishes what people have worked hard to achieve. Now if the team got together and awarded him a letter thats another thing all together.
Think of Cuba Gooding Jr. in Radio.
3:04 I'm sure it won't be a popular opinion, but I completely agree with you.
ReplyDeleteAfter he'd completed his time and had some kind of accomplishment, then he should be eligible for a letter celebrating his contribution to the special needs team. His mother was trying to build up his self esteem, but just making the team and successfully playing the games is a great boost to his confidence. Now that she's rewarded him with a "You're A Winner" prize without having to "be a winner" by sticking to it and overcoming personal obstacles, there's no more real incentive for him to persevere.
Which is a shame, because these kids need as much motivation as possible to reach their full potential, whatever that may be.
Just getting to wear the team jersey and be supported as part of a team, is wonderful for him. But the competition must always be there, at least at a personal level, or it loses meaning for everyone involved.
Now that he's got one, regardless of whether he really was a "star special needs" player, every other kid on the team is going to be heartbroken because they "deserve" one too. He shouldn't wear it, because it isn't fair to the other special needs kids on his team, let alone the regular athletes who have worked for it.
Being a "winner" isn't bestowed by a token symbol. That's a lesson even the "special needs" people should learn as well.
I'm sure this mother would be the first to say that she doesn't want her son treated differently. Yet, that's exactly what she's advocating. I agree with the two previous comments.
ReplyDeleteThis is as bad as a soldier wearing medals he didn't earn, stolen valor!
ReplyDeleteLetters are earned, not bought and sewn on!
Too late.A spectacle has already been made of special needs.That happens when concerned citizens do what they think is right.They think that attention to an issue equates to public outrage.Some may be outraged,but people with special needs would much rather slide under the radar than be the center of attention.
ReplyDelete