Sun-Beams is a collection of links to stories, articles, photos, or videos I have come across that I believe will inspire, inform, or encourage you, as well as my favorite photo posted on my other blog, Violet Film, from the past week.
Miracles Happen On This Field of Dreams – Sometimes I wonder if special leagues are the way to go, but it’s hard to argue that after reading this article.
Woman With CP Inspires With New Autobiography – One for the reading list?
VIDEO: Wrestling Match Gives Middle Schooler With Cerebral Palsy First Win – I have to admit that I’m torn about this story. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Sujeet Desai: The upside of living with Down syndrome – Love!
Photo of the Week:
I didn’t like the story about the wrestlers. I don’t like that the boy with CP’s father was not honest with him. There are some things he will not be able to do, and wrestling in a meet might be one of them. How can he feel a sense of accomplishment when the other boy basically threw the match? What does it teach either of them ? So, the boy with CP will learn that even though he doesn’t have the skills, he can still win. The other boy learns that he should feel sorry with a kid with a disability, and let him win. Sorry. This is not what they should be learning.
Ditto.
I appreciate the intention behind what the boy did it just came out wrong.
That is a tough one. I’m not totally sure what to think about it. On one hand, the throwing of the match seems pretty patronizing and would really bug me. But on the other hand, it sounded like the boy was a practice partner, and maybe it was his dream to be part of a match… and I guess that’s what it was about – giving him the chance to get out on the floor and participate.
My husband and I push my son in road races, and we call him the “captain” of our team (ala Dick & Rick Hoyt), but obviously he’s not actually doing the running. It doesn’t seem all that much different. But it’s important to us that he is out there being a part of something with us.
Very conflicted on the wrestling story. I like he was included, but I wouldn’t want anyone to “let” my child win. I feel like Paula, it doesn’t teach anything to either of the boys. But, then I look at the pictures and see his smile. Maybe he didn’t need to win, but just be there. Hard to say…
I totally agree about the wrestler thing. I saw a CP organization promoting it as inspiring and a self-less act by the typically developing boy, but it left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I guess all that matters is if the boy with CP was happy with the outcome and enjoyed the experience regardless of how he got the win.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who didn’t like that wrestling story. The intentions were nice (and I didn’t read anything about what the dad told the son), but. . .maybe I’d feel differently if the boy with CP could have actually gotten himself on top of his opponent, and the opponent made a weak effort to fight back. There are some things my daughter won’t ever be able to do – hell, I’d never be able to win in a wrestling match – and that’s okay.