tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post7463273353416919439..comments2024-03-28T21:36:55.157-04:00Comments on Love That Max : A gym refuses to host a birthday party for a boy with Down syndromeEllen Seidmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-78254301421569681622014-11-10T17:11:47.243-05:002014-11-10T17:11:47.243-05:00The biggest shocker came to us on a Disney cruise ...The biggest shocker came to us on a Disney cruise last summer. Our then 15 year old precious and very special daughter functions at an elementary-age level, she is potty trained, walks, talks and gets along with other children and loves all things Disney. When we asked to include her in the children's program on the cruise, we were told that she would be required to go with her high school "peers", not her cousins and the elementary aged children where the characters roam freely and interact with the children. What a disappointment for her to find out that "Zombie week" in the high school group was not for her. We made requests, complaints and wrote letters, the "policy" will not be changed according to the Cruise line official that I spoke with. So if you want inclusion for your Special child on a Disney cruise, go before they turn 13. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-81965854060499503942014-10-08T20:59:40.728-04:002014-10-08T20:59:40.728-04:00My honors biology teacher is accommodating and doe...My honors biology teacher is accommodating and does not strike me as someone who teaches honors to avoid students with disabilities. I think that is the case with this gymnastics place. They might have implemented that policy to avoid kids with special needs. It doesn't take a degree to have an open heart and I hope more people realize this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-78402268308726983182014-10-06T20:11:10.370-04:002014-10-06T20:11:10.370-04:00I am so happy to hear this! Where do you live, Tis...I am so happy to hear this! Where do you live, Tisa? Torriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05555107447321556504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-77325229718016904242014-10-06T15:08:06.498-04:002014-10-06T15:08:06.498-04:00I'm glad the gym has seen the error of their w...I'm glad the gym has seen the error of their ways and has agreed to host the kid's birthday party -- that they NEVER should have refused to host in the first place!!<br /><br />******<br /><br />The flipside is that parents of SN kids also need to be willing to abide by (reasonable, if non-negotiable rules). A few years ago, when I was still in high school, I spent summers working as a lifeguard at a local community pool. <br /><br />The one and only rule that caused endless upset (to parents) and grief (to lifeguards) was that floaties (rubber arm things to help with buoyancy) had to be Coast Guard certified.<br /><br />This was a non-negotiable city bylaw, there were signs all over the pool complex with this rule posted in large, friendly letters and Coast Guard floaties cost maybe $12 (at Walmart, Target, etc). <br /><br />At least 4x per day, some parent pitched a HUGE fit when it was politely pointed out that their kid (special needs or not) could not be in the pool in uncertified floaties.<br /><br />*sigh*Bethnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-38894409280275126452014-10-06T15:06:50.580-04:002014-10-06T15:06:50.580-04:00If I were Theresa Kuhns, I'd definitely accept...If I were Theresa Kuhns, I'd definitely accept one of the other offers and leave this place in the dust. It's nice to see they're re-thought their stance on having the party, but if that were me it would already be too late, sorry. As they say, first impressions are everything!Sabrina Steylinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10502908654294596013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-10914260971790810542014-10-06T12:20:19.701-04:002014-10-06T12:20:19.701-04:00Reading between the lines of these stories and you...Reading between the lines of these stories and your post, it seems like one of the fundamental questions in these situations is whether or not the owner is being really, truly honest. Do they truly believe that ironclad laws of liability, insurance, and professional practice prevent them from doing what disabled children need? Or, are they using these vague but somewhat familiar concepts to avoid the hassle? apulranghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16133974049950425863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-87866373185897337132014-10-06T10:27:15.921-04:002014-10-06T10:27:15.921-04:00We have been very lucky so far. This make me very ...We have been very lucky so far. This make me very upset, and I hope the owner will remedy the situation. Happy birthday to the sweet boy and his family!tanyamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-62768068133289423912014-10-06T09:50:17.960-04:002014-10-06T09:50:17.960-04:00We had Ben's 5th bday at a local gym place and...We had Ben's 5th bday at a local gym place and they were very friendly. He didn't need any special help. All he wanted to do was run, jump and play with all the other kids. Imagine that!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-46886763592052708062014-10-06T09:34:21.705-04:002014-10-06T09:34:21.705-04:00that makes me so sad! my daugther goes to a schoo...that makes me so sad! my daugther goes to a school for the blind, so all of her classmates have special needs. she has had 3 parties at The Little Gym and they have always bent over bacwards to make the party as perfect for her and her friends as when her big sister used to have parties there. I usually pay for an extra instructor, but that's for my peace of mind- not a requirement of the place. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-20402537672349308382014-10-06T09:33:04.389-04:002014-10-06T09:33:04.389-04:00I don't understand this response from the owne...I don't understand this response from the owner: "We have been offering special needs in private and also classes with a shadow for years but we have not done it in a party yet."<br /><br />What? I'm not sure what the difference is, if his concern is untrained staff and insurance liability. Did he think a party for a child with a disability would mean he'd suddenly be overrun with them? Does he not understand that a child with Down syndrome will have friends and siblings with no disabilities?<br /><br />It still reeks of a fundamental, core misunderstanding on his part of what disabilities are and how to accommodate them. Such a shame.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-63107196338955705972014-10-06T08:32:44.040-04:002014-10-06T08:32:44.040-04:00The insurance question may be a real issue! The ow...The insurance question may be a real issue! The owner may wish to host yet his insurance says that other training must take place or risk losing their insurance coverage.Trenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06022390581709832282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-59531950859164148022014-10-06T08:23:59.237-04:002014-10-06T08:23:59.237-04:00Gosh, I am shocked. We have booked parties for Nat...Gosh, I am shocked. We have booked parties for Natty in many venues and she has attended gym classes without any fuss at all. This gym were perhaps overthinking the whole thing. Well done for highlighting the issue. Downs Side Uphttp://www.downssideup.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-31748744666174592762014-10-06T08:17:07.248-04:002014-10-06T08:17:07.248-04:00Every place we've been has been so inclusive. ...Every place we've been has been so inclusive. We are just really lucky. <br /><br />Museum: Your kids with autism can't do the show with the sprinkling water, loud noises, etc. (basically 4Dc I think)? Cool, we'll do the sound effects and other stuff for the [neuro]typical kids and do a regular video for the ones with ASD. <br /><br />That same museum also had an ASL interpreter. <br /><br />The pumpkin patch we went to asked us what our kids could do , rather than telling them what they couldn't do. <br /><br />Every Place we've been to has been so incredibly accommodating. It sucks to hear stories like this. It really does. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08196730792135710489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-11126674771791861422014-10-06T06:48:42.507-04:002014-10-06T06:48:42.507-04:00Thank you Ellen for all you do for Max and all of ...Thank you Ellen for all you do for Max and all of our special kiddos. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com