Tag: bullying

Caitlyn Jenner’s Speech has Potential to Reach Many

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

This past week, Caitlyn Jenner accepted The Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2015 ESPYs. Since the announcement that Bruce Jenner, an Olympic Medalist and past spokesperson, was transitioning to become Caitlyn Jenner people have voiced mixed reactions on every form of Social Media. I didn’t get to see the speech on television when it aired, but caught it the next day on YouTube.

At first, I, like a lot of other people, felt like Noah Galloway should receive the award. Now, I feel like I understand why Caitlyn Jenner got it instead of Noah. In my opinion, the simple fact that Caitlyn Jenner gave such an eloquent speech with such a powerful message, not only about and for the transgender community but, also, if we step back for a moment, a message that could be applied to the disabled community as well, is a sign of courage all by itself.  The main theme of her speech was about acceptance, no matter our differences. If we really take a moment to think about it, acceptance as a whole is what everyone ultimately wants.

In Caitlyn’s speech, she talks about the transgender youth that are bullied and even commit suicide because they’re just trying to live the way they’re most comfortable in their skin. I have to admit, I remember seeing Bruce Jenner on cereal boxes as a kid and yet no one knew the suffering he was dealing with in private. I can also think about how many kids in school may get bullied and made fun of just because of their disability. I read an article saying that if Caitlyn Jenner helped one transgender youth with her speech, that made her a hero. What if her speech also helped someone with a disability, because somewhere along the line that person felt different, and as a result not adequate?  I’m not sure that’s the case but with the wide reach of the internet, anything is possible.

Whatever opinion you have about Caitlyn Jenner and what she chooses to do with her life is your own, and really not what I’m trying to focus on here. The fact that someone is attempting to use their lives to knock down barriers so that we become more compassionate to one another is what stuck out to me. Although she isn’t the first, or only celebrity to do this, I have to applaud her for being vocal on a subject that so few people mention, even in a whisper. I hope more celebrities speak out and use their names to help gain acceptance for all groups that have been coined as “different” in today’s world.

Only through acceptance of one another, no matter our differences, can we all be afforded the opportunity to experience life to the fullest. Such opportunities have the potential to open doors for things like gaining employment, having more relaxed conversations with people about dating and disability, addressing our healthcare concerns, and even being parents with a disability if that’s what we choose to pursue. The potential for open dialogue on these and many other issues has just increased tenfold because of one person’s speech about acceptance in our society.

Thanks for reading..
cr

Teacher Assaults Autistic Boy

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

As parents, we expect when we send our kids to school, they’re in good hands. After seeing a story on the news earlier this week, I was completely shocked about the subject of the report. A teacher had been caught on video assaulting a student with Autism.

When I started looking into the subject a bit more, I found out that unfortunately, this wasn’t an isolated incident. I’ve posted before on how students with disabilities experience more bullying by their peers than their non-disabled counterparts. What didn’t occur to me, until now, was the possibility that maybe the person bullying the student could actually be the teacher, and not other students.

Obviously, there’s no excuse for this behavior. It’s a shame that those we entrust with our kids feel they can use their position of trust and power in such a negative way. I feel the Superintendent of the school did the right thing by firing the teacher. Although the School Board reinstated her, I’m hoping the new investigation being conducted will result in the appropriate action to protect all children at the school, especially those with a disability.

I’ve had the pleasure to volunteer my time years ago at a local Middle School and realize the majority of teachers who take on the job genuinely care about their students. Although I’m not sure how, an extra safeguard should be implemented in the education field to ensure the people entrusted with the safety and well-being of our kids on a daily basis are doing exactly that. As a result, the kids can focus on learning instead of the physical abuse their teacher might inflict on them if they misbehave.

For more information check out the following link:

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/9-investigates-teacher-accused-assaulting-special-/ngPHN/

Thanks for reading..

cr

Disney Jr.’s Handy Manny More Diverse than you Think

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

As we watched “Handy Manny” on Disney Junior the other day, I noticed there were and in the past have been a few episodes that had supporting disabled characters in the show.  Whether it’s the person walking down the street with their guide dog or the person who needed a ramp to go play basketball in the gym with the other kids, Disney Junior seems to be moving with the times.  I know that it’s a bilingual show, which is great too, but it also seems to come with an underlying benefit for others too.

I know in the past, “Sesame Street” has always tried to be an inclusive show, even when I was younger, which like I’ve said before, you didn’t see back then that often.  The importance is that the more exposure disabled people get in the media that targets younger children and kids, it seems to me, the more acceptance of diverse groups can be forged in the future.

This type of exposure gives way to the possibility of less bullying in schools and different environments too.  One result of this could be that the issue of disability won’t be so rare when our kids meet in school, or anywhere else.  If you’ve read my earlier posts, just like with “Dolls for Downs”(posted April 6, 2013), the fact that these characters are being shown to younger people also gives them and their families a way in which to discuss the topic of disability.  I know that I’ve been in the store sometimes and kids that are 6 or 7 years old will be staring at me and try to ask a question.  When I stop and encourage them to ask, it seems like their parent is more afraid than the child is to ask.  Maybe if children see kids with different limitations in their cartoons, they may even be able to help their mom or dad not be so apprehensive about approaching the subject too.

What benefits might come from more media exposure of different disabilities?

Thanks for reading..

cr

Bullying and People with Disabilities

by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Recently, I’ve seen a lot of different stories on t.v. and online about bullying and its devastating effects, not only on victims but, on their families as well.  Bullying isn’t really something new.  Like many other issues, the media and its wide reach help bring this problem to the forefront of society’s attention more today than in years’ past. 

Students who are disabled experience bullying at a higher rate than those who aren’t disabled.  That’s because they’re perceived as easier targets who can’t defend themselves.  When parents send their kids to school, they are under the impression that the kids are going somewhere safe, and that their child will not become the victim of a bully.

 For parents of disabled children there are a few avenues that can be utilized to help with this problem.  If your child is being taunted because of their disability, it could reach the level of disability harassment.  According to the U.S. Department of Education, disability harassment is “intimidation or abusive behavior toward a student based on disability that creates a hostile environment by interfering with or denying a student’s participation in or receipt of benefits, services, or opportunities in the institution’s program” (U.S. Department of Education 2000).

 It’s very important as parents to know what is going on at your child’s school and to have open communication with their 504 or IEP (Individual Education Plan) team (whichever applies to them).  This team isn’t only there to maximize your child’s learning experience but, also to make sure they receive the services and support they need to succeed in their studies.

If your child is having these types of issues at school, it wouldn’t only be hard for them to put forth their best efforts but, also hard to not worry about when the next time might be that they run into another issue with the person in question.  Also, if your child is being bullied, their IEP or 504 Team should be brought together in a meeting to see how the plan can be adjusted to address the issue.  At the same time, it is also very important that if you find your child in this situation, you proceed with caution in resolving the issue so that your actions don’t inadvertently make the situation worse.

All in all, slowly but surely, the issue of bullying is being addressed by schools.  The best thing we can do for our students is to take a proactive approach to help solve the issue if in fact it presents itself.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/groups/special-needs/BullyingTipSheet.pdf

Thanks for reading..

cr