I was fortunate enough to receive this. It is an email sent to Jennifer Graham of Champion Cheer by one of her friends Tami Coon.
Hi Jennifer!
I want to pass along a story from the other night but before I do so, you might want to grab a box of kleenex. I am in Buenos Aires visiting my friends and after a big party Friday night, I got into a heated discussion about special needs kids and adults. I can say they really pushed some buttons because what they think of special needs here and the United States couldn't be farther apart.
The conversation started because the guest of honor at the party is a teacher at a home here for special needs kids. The gal he was marrying is also a teacher at the school. They invited 5 of their kids to come to the party and be part of the fun. Some in wheelchairs and others severely handicapped. This group of older 60-80 year old men and women were appalled they would invite them to such a nice party. Keep in mind this entire conversation is in Spanish and I am not fluent. When I thought they said they shouldn't have invited the kids I said "you really meant 'should' correct?" Well, they clarified my question by saying that special needs kids should be in the home and never come out because their family is embarrassed by them. They went on to say they can't do anything and used the example of the teacher having to push them around on the dance floor so they could dance. I said that the kids looked like they were having a great time and why shouldn't they be at a party they were invited to. I really thought at first the translation was getting lost and I was not understanding them. My friend came over and said "no one in Argentina brings those kids out. They are put in homes and cared for by the state. Not that I am an expert but I said they looked like they were having fun and they could certainly live at home with their families. I told them about the laws in the US and how kids just like the ones we were talking about go to school with other kids, some in regular classes and some in what we call Special Education. That caught them by surprise and then one said "They can't do anything so they should just be left in the homes." Well, I asked if anyone had a computer and I would show them what they can do if given the chance. A friend brought the laptop to the table and I clicked on your Facebook page! First I showed them Lightening performing and explained what cheerleading is. (That was really funny...between my Spanish and explaining Cheer to a country that has few cheerleaders) Then I played the video from Blast. I wish I knew more about the kids but I told them the coaches can help with the routine, they get to be part of a team, and the thrill of competing is something they will never forget. One of the ladies asked what the noise was and I told her it was the audience cheering them on. The first viewing was five people, the second was twelve and then it turned into a crowd on the fourth viewing! They couldn't believe it because they had never seen special needs kids do anything, much less related to sports. They asked all sorts of questions, wanted to watch the video again, and then asked if any kids are in wheelchairs that compete. I may be wrong but I remembered a team that had a kid in a wheelchair and a coach moved her to her spot during the routine so I told them about her. The people who started the conversation by saying kids belong in homes started to come around to the thought that these kids can do things if given the chance. The interesting thing to me was not one person wanted to watch Lightening's routine...they wanted to watch Blast! They were pointing and saying "incredible, incredible" over and over again. They commented on how the boy was in front and performing. Some girls held up other girls, but they were most amazed by how they were all together in moving their arms! It was a real eye opener for all of them, so I thank you for allowing me to prove all of them wrong. Me telling them about a special needs team wouldn't have made my point at all but having the video for all to see, will start changing the perception of these kids, one person at a time. Go Blast!
I was fortunate enough to receive this. It is an email sent to Jennifer Graham of Champion Cheer by one of her friends Tami Coon.
Hi Jennifer!
I want to pass along a story from the other night but before I do so, you might want to grab a box of kleenex. I am in Buenos Aires visiting my friends and after a big party Friday night, I got into a heated discussion about special needs kids and adults. I can say they really pushed some buttons because what they think of special needs here and the United States couldn't be farther apart.
The conversation started because the guest of honor at the party is a teacher at a home here for special needs kids. The gal he was marrying is also a teacher at the school. They invited 5 of their kids to come to the party and be part of the fun. Some in wheelchairs and others severely handicapped. This group of older 60-80 year old men and women were appalled they would invite them to such a nice party. Keep in mind this entire conversation is in Spanish and I am not fluent. When I thought they said they shouldn't have invited the kids I said "you really meant 'should' correct?" Well, they clarified my question by saying that special needs kids should be in the home and never come out because their family is embarrassed by them. They went on to say they can't do anything and used the example of the teacher having to push them around on the dance floor so they could dance. I said that the kids looked like they were having a great time and why shouldn't they be at a party they were invited to. I really thought at first the translation was getting lost and I was not understanding them. My friend came over and said "no one in Argentina brings those kids out. They are put in homes and cared for by the state. Not that I am an expert but I said they looked like they were having fun and they could certainly live at home with their families. I told them about the laws in the US and how kids just like the ones we were talking about go to school with other kids, some in regular classes and some in what we call Special Education. That caught them by surprise and then one said "They can't do anything so they should just be left in the homes." Well, I asked if anyone had a computer and I would show them what they can do if given the chance. A friend brought the laptop to the table and I clicked on your Facebook page! First I showed them Lightening performing and explained what cheerleading is. (That was really funny...between my Spanish and explaining Cheer to a country that has few cheerleaders) Then I played the video from Blast. I wish I knew more about the kids but I told them the coaches can help with the routine, they get to be part of a team, and the thrill of competing is something they will never forget. One of the ladies asked what the noise was and I told her it was the audience cheering them on. The first viewing was five people, the second was twelve and then it turned into a crowd on the fourth viewing! They couldn't believe it because they had never seen special needs kids do anything, much less related to sports. They asked all sorts of questions, wanted to watch the video again, and then asked if any kids are in wheelchairs that compete. I may be wrong but I remembered a team that had a kid in a wheelchair and a coach moved her to her spot during the routine so I told them about her. The people who started the conversation by saying kids belong in homes started to come around to the thought that these kids can do things if given the chance. The interesting thing to me was not one person wanted to watch Lightening's routine...they wanted to watch Blast! They were pointing and saying "incredible, incredible" over and over again. They commented on how the boy was in front and performing. Some girls held up other girls, but they were most amazed by how they were all together in moving their arms! It was a real eye opener for all of them, so I thank you for allowing me to prove all of them wrong. Me telling them about a special needs team wouldn't have made my point at all but having the video for all to see, will start changing the perception of these kids, one person at a time. Go Blast!
