tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19043080.post5447470596069360507..comments2023-06-22T02:28:39.530-07:00Comments on Little Miss Magic: Groups of Kids with Disablities out in Public?Miss Magichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14879434442804076631noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19043080.post-20922322100974257912009-03-16T17:41:00.000-07:002009-03-16T17:41:00.000-07:00Reading this post I realized that I have never see...Reading this post I realized that I have never seen a group of young children, or even teenage children with Ds out and about together. However I do see groups of adults with various disabilities from group homes who are out with a state chaperone. I will admit that when I see these groups I do get a little twang of sadness. I am not sure why. <BR/><BR/>I am trying to jump ahead in time and picture my daughter on a field trip with only children with Ds... I can see a bunch of beautiful faces but there is a certain fragility and other-worldliness to the picture that bothers me. So I see where you are coming from but I can't decide if the cons outweigh the pros.TUChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15929114678006935831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19043080.post-75186637621951157372009-02-12T11:33:00.000-08:002009-02-12T11:33:00.000-08:00Just came across your blog from a post you left on...Just came across your blog from a post you left on Chewing the Fat. I agree with your comment to him! I enjoyed reading some of your posts.<BR/><BR/>However on this post, I'm torn. I understand where you are coming from in hating the "group outings". I hate that schools here in Ontario, while extolling the values of inclusion and eliminating segregation in the schools still maintain "Lifeskills" classrooms for those "special" kids. I must say though, that your daughters school is unique in that it organizes school trips (albeit segregrated) the school I worked as an EA at for 3 years never once had a school trip and the kids in the "Lifeskills" class were never included in the "regular" class trips. They miss out on so much!<BR/>I work for a fantastic agency who support adults with developmental disabilities.<BR/>We have 12 homes and while I understand your sentiments on group outings, for the adults who live in these homes they love it. They do not refer to them as "group" homes, we don't like that term, rather they live in a home with their roommates, their friends. They have the option of moving house if they have a personality conflict. They go out as friends, if they wish. That's how we all look at it. However it is what it is, there is no getting around the facts.<BR/><BR/>The alternative for these adults used to be an institution, thank God that is not an option any longer. We have one gentleman who spent his entire 54 years in an institution and just a year ago came to live with us. The acheivements and successes this man has accomplished since coming to live in a "group" home setting has been astounding. He has grown as a person in leaps and bounds. He is happy, he is productive, he has friends, he has a life. Something that was lacking in the institution.<BR/>So you see while I agree with your point, there is always the other side of the coin too.<BR/>I will continue to read and enjoy your blog and wish you and your Little Miss Magic much happiness and many Chick Flik nights....I love doing that with my 13 yr old daughter. Nothing better than a chick flik with your favourite chick!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19043080.post-40633075714098107872009-02-04T12:00:00.000-08:002009-02-04T12:00:00.000-08:00It's tough. Yes, you want her to be included, to ...It's tough. Yes, you want her to be included, to be like everyone else, to not have the characteristics that people tend to notice and single her out from others for...but you want her to accept who she is, regardless. You want her to be happy with who she is, celebrate her differences and relish in her similiarities. There are no rules. There are no parameters. There are only opinions and decisions that only you and Maren can make for you and Maren. I know my rambling hasn't helped, but I GET it! Hope that, at least, helps!CJ Fieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07068829071983278903noreply@blogger.com