Student-Athlete with Down Syndrome, Originally Denied Chance to Play, Becomes State Champion

HLI World Watch ^ | NOVEMBER 28, 2012 | ADAM CASSANDRA

[lyby]

Student-athlete Eric Dompierre is a state champion football player, winner of Sports Illustrated’s “Underdogs” contest and an all-around inspirational young man. And he has Down syndrome.

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Eric and his father, Dean, fought for two years trying to convince the MHSAA to create a waiver policy allowing student-athletes with disabilities to play one year past the current maximum age.

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“I’m very excited,” Eric said after learning that he would be allowed to play football.

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His football team, the Hematites, went on to win the MHSAA Division 7 state football championship last Friday with a near flawless season record. Eric kicked a number of extra points and even scored a touchdown during their championship season.

[GeronL]

??

I never said anything bad about Eric

[lyby]

Your post (x3) comes across as angry...

DS people are not “easy” to deal with at home - or anywhere. Most people are not “easy” to deal with...

I celebrate your LIFE choice for your children.

We should celebrate LIFE...

[usconservative]

You're an ASSHAT. You can't hide behind "sarcasm" ..... your comments in context were the worst kind of mean I can possibly think of.

World class JERK. You wouldn't have the BALLS to make such a comment in front of the family, and if you did you'd have your dumbass handed to you on a stick.

Do yourself a favor, STFU, leave the thread now. One more post I'm calling in the ADMIN-MOD to deal with you. You're the worst sort of jerk there is. You don't belong here on FR, IMO.

[9YearLurker]

Sounds like the school well knew the kid and it made sense all around.

There is a real danger in having bigger, older kids play in contact sports like football, however; so I can see GeronL’s point that this policy could be taken too far.

[GeronL]

I thought the sarcasm warning was prominent enough

...
When they bend rules, how far will they bend them next time? and the time after that? THAT is what I making light of.

[Vermont Lt]

Would bring a DS young adult into your workplace?

I am not angry. I am simply frustrated when individuals insert mentally challenged folks into an environment where they are not prepared to be without assistance, yet none is provided. And then it is expected that EVERYONE else wil accommodate them.

My issue is that my clients expect me to deliver a high quality product whether I am being interrupted or prevented from performing my job.

This is the issue with mainstreaming. .

[GeronL]

Yes. I was only making light of the bending of the age rule.

Of course I wasn’t making fun of Eric, it took them 2 years to make this decision. They probably did everything correctly to keep the new rule as narrowly as possible.

[lyby]

I am a teacher. I deal with special needs students everyday.
My life-calling is a challenge...

I hope for you: patience; compassion; empathy... The same that I pray each day for myself.

[lyby]

BeAuTiFuL!!!

[lyby]

I did a search (death toll from abortion since roe vs wade):

http://www.conservativecut.com/blog/?p=493

http://www.cpforlife.org/id173.htm

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/shock-estimated-54559615-abortions-since-roe-v.-wade/

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=15740

[usconservative]

When they bend rules, how far will they bend them next time? and the time after that? THAT is what I making light of.

You keep telling yourself that lie, what you were really doing was demeaning to others who you believe you're superior to.

Admin-Moderator, please see post #2 and GeronL's abhorrent posts. Clean-up requested in Aisle 2 please.

As for you GeronL, don't you ever post to me again. You're the lowest POC I can think of. You're worse than Obama in my book.

[TrexDogs]

I am not angry. I am simply frustrated when individuals insert mentally challenged folks into an environment where they are not prepared to be without assistance, yet none is provided. And then it is expected that EVERYONE else wil accommodate them.

My issue is that my clients expect me to deliver a high quality product whether I am being interrupted or prevented from performing my job.

Try changing your perspective and you may become a less frustrated, and happier, person. Have you considered that taking pictures of your client's environment, which includes all types of people, is quite simply *part of your job*?

I also hope for patience, compassion, and empathy for you. You dearly seem to need it.

[GeronL]

You need to calm down.

Who was I demeaning? Nobody. I never referred to any real person in my SARCASM tagged comment.

You can go back to your hissy fit now.

[SkyDancer]

I wonder if there’s a Liberal website that puts up those figures. But then, probably not.

[9YearLurker]

My sense is that people overwhelmingly are patient—though maybe not as patient as special ed teachers need to be.

But it also gets taken too far, where special license is presumed to impose on other people at a level that otherwise would be considered totally inappropriate.

[lyby]

My sense is that people overwhelmingly are patient—though maybe not as patient as special ed teachers need to be.

But it also gets taken too far, where special license is presumed to impose on other people at a level that otherwise would be considered totally inappropriate.

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Agreed. There must be a balance... Unfortunately, from my perspective/experience, that situation does not exist. However, I continue to strive to instill a “higher level” for my students.

[Clump]

My 14 month old son has Downs Syndrome.
He is an amazing blessing to me and our family.
Too bad the pre natal testing can't tell parents what a wonderful blessing these children will be.
Sad doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about the fact that 92% of these innocent children don't live to see the light of day.
That means many self professed pro lifers and Christians murder these children.
I think many of them are afraid of people treating them and their child badly. I could care less because I know the truth and I pity any person who shows contempt for the Maker of these babies.
May He show mercy and grace to those who refuse to extend it to others.
Please educate yourself about this issue before trying to be funny at the expense of perpetuating the lie that these lives aren't valuable.

[GeronL]

Please educate yourself about this issue before trying to be funny at the expense of perpetuating the lie that these lives aren't valuable.

Where did I do that? Please tell me where I did anything like that?

Now you are just making stuff up. I am going to push the ABUSE button on that one.

[GeronL]

You are perpetuating the lie that I said that these lives aren’t valuable!!

I never did anything of the sort.

[Clump]

I think maybe you have pushed enough buttons for one night.
And true you never said that.
To me it’s implied when people with DS are ridiculed.
But hey we all have to stand accountable for the things we do and say.
I’m seriously over this thread.
But hit the abuse button if you think it’s needed.