Special People... yuk!

       My son is a "special people"!  Well, that's what someone said.  In reading a friend's blog on accessible recreation, I was struck today by a comment which was left by a troll to a post on summer camps for disabled kids.  I simply wanted to strike back at stupidity and mindless PC.  Here is the comment:

Sounds wonderful! I believe it is important that every kid have access to camping and is exposed to our wildlife - disabled or not. The fact that the camp accepts special people under their care would give any parent peace of mind to leave their kids under the camp's care.


       What utter and unbridled bullshit!  Adam is not a "special people."!  He is severely disabled, medically complex, a spastic quad, non-verbal and non just about every medical word which could describe normality.  He is always happy and smiling and I love him more than life itself.

"Special Persons" Camp Policy

        Now what camp would want the boy for a couple of days?  I don't know a soul that would want the boy for a couple of days, exceptin' me and the wife.  Does camp prepare pureed meals and feed a kid for an hour per meal? What does it mean if he spits his lunch at you and smiles?  Does camp clear a mucousy throats and airways that the boy perseveres and plays with.  How does the camp get him around when he arches in his wheelchair?  Do you know the long, extensive process of toileting the boy (I'll skip the detail). How would you know if he's in pain?  thirsty? pissed at the program that you put on the tv?  How would you regulate his temperature?  Would you keep his schedule of supplements and cell salts?  What about cold laser treatments, acupuncture, shiatsu, and ABR exercises?  Oh, and what would you do when he hyper-ventilates?  This ain't no "special person"!  He isn't a "pillow angel" or any other angel.  He isn't god's gift to me or anyone.  Frankly, he's a pain in the ass, but I would readily give my life for him.
        Now, again, what camp would want this boy for a couple of days?  Accomodate, ADA, Sped him?  Give him a quickly rounded up aide?  Maybe a full time doctor or nurse?  Frankly, camps for "special people" offer programs to high functioning DS kids; to mild CP kids; to cancer kids; to AIDS kids, etc. etc.  They do not offer programs to kids like mine.

       Adam is not a "special people".  Handicapped?  Disabled?  Severely?  Medically complex?  Crippled? yes to this list, but no series of ADA modifications will make him a suitable camper.  I find that "special people" is a word for a Hummel figurine on a mantel, or a clay angel on the bookcase.  Call me crazy, but I find the word "special people" totally offensive because society does not consider him special, nor do many other people.  Pseudo-advocates for the disabled may find comfort in the words "special persons", I do not.  Call it what it is; calling it something else does not change his nature.
        Most amusing is the statement that "the camp which accepts special people under their care would give any parent peace of mind to leave their kids under the camp's care?"  Truly the most idiotic statement which I have ever seen in print.  Adam was under water for 25 minutes at a camp run by the leaders and trainers of a nationally recognized college level Outdoor Leadership Program.  Obviously this poster had a recent lobotomy.   Accept special people and no parent has to worry?  F.ck, what planet do you live on.  Read the liability release that parents have to sign.


2. Assumes all of the foregoing risk and accepts personal responsibility for any damages following such an injury, permanent disability, and death or property damage.


       In simple English, we accept "special people", but if your "special people" dies in our care or suffers a permanent disability, it ain't our fault even if we are negligent! You just need to get over it!  Don't you just love do-gooders who advocate for my "special person"?