# Re: Saturday's Rugby Match

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Posted by LeviLovR on March 20, 2019 at 12:28:59

In Reply to: Re: Saturday's Rugby Match posted by Rob on March 20, 2019 at 07:53:22:

I agree, not his fault. When I was in school we had a wonderful teacher who taught all the special needs students. He devoted his entire life to them, even his personal, off work time. He created the Special Olympics here in our state. This is what this man wanted to do as a teacher. He had the appropriate education and training to do so. He was given classrooms with the appropriate equipment, books and items. He was a large man, very gentle and kind. He knew how to handle any situation when it arose. After his death I don't believe he was replaced or those classes continued as I was out of school by then.

I may be throwing myself into the fire here and I know not every one is going to agree with my opinion. There is a huge movement to mainstream special needs students by putting them in regular classes with other students. IN MY OPINION (may not be the opinion of others) this isn't always the best situation. It makes it hard for teachers, hard for fellow students and most of all hard for that special needs student. That special needs student is indeed special person who needs to be loved, treated with respect and accepted by and integrated into society as much as possible. Yet that person shouldn't be thrown into a situation beyond his/her scope. They should be in a class room where someone with the proper training, knowledge and equipment can address those special needs, help develop the individual at a rate and speed they can cope with - and have a sense of pride in their accomplishments. I don't think mainstreaming is the best thing for everybody, and I do think there are definitely situations where it is advantageous. It needs to be addressed on an individual needs basis.

I don't mean to ostracize any one. I have a cousin with 8 children. His youngest son has Downs Syndrome, was born with a hole in his heart and over the years has had multiple surgeries. He is very much loved by everybody. With a great deal of effort from his parents, siblings and appropriate help and instruction he has accomplished amazing things. The truth is that he will always need help, someone to assist him and guide him for the rest of life while letting him do as much as he can.

My next door neighbors have a son with special needs. He graduated from high school at 21. He's a great person, but he struggles every day just coping with life. He's been able to get a few jobs, but they haven't lasted long, primarily because he just doesn't have the physical stamina to last a full eight hours. He has a great support system, everyone applauds his successes, cries over his failures. He's struggled his whole life to get where he is, and will struggle the rest of his life as well. He's always going to need someone to guide, assist, help take care of him. He'll never be able to do it completely on his own. He was in a group home for a while in an attempt to gain more independence, but he didn't like it and returned home.

My apologies for rambling on. I just don't fully agree with mainstreaming. Special needs people are given that name for a reason - theynhave special needs and those special needs should be addressed. I don't think they should be locked up and institutionalized. I think they should be given help where they need help so they can enjoy life as much as possible. But I also think people need to be realistic and accept these people for who and what they are and not try to make them into something they're not. They have enough to contend with as it is.

Follow Ups:

- Re: Saturday's Rugby Match Zonie 07:06:25 3/21/2019 (2)
  - Re: Saturday's Rugby Match LeviLovR 12:04:54 3/21/2019 (0)
  - Re: Saturday's Rugby Match Rob 07:42:19 3/21/2019 (0)
- Re: Saturday's Rugby Match Rob 13:58:31 3/20/2019 (0)

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