“Do members of the football team vote to see who makes the cut?”
There might be a few schools that do that. I seem to remember some ESPN features where the players voted to make the disabled kid an honorary member of the team, and include them in much of the team activities. And there are some instances where the ‘player’ got into a game for a play and both teams cooperated to make it a memorable moment for the kid.
And how about those teams where the coach has a no-cut philosophy?
Today’s kids look at this stuff differently than our generation did; they try to be more inclusive while we looked at it solely as an earned accomplishment. Both approaches have their merits. I, for one, like how today’s kids take it upon themselves to make disabled kids feel more welcome.
I think it’s great many kids today are more accepting of disabled people. But there is limit to killing with kindness.
There is a huge difference between making someone an honorary member at the kids behest and adults using both the disabled kid and manipulating the team. Which is exactly what it is when you have football teams suit up a kid in full pads, put him on the field and the opposing team lets him pretend to make a touchdown.
Especially when his touchdown counts toward the actual record, the kid thinks he really scored and everyone lies to him about.
Personally I think we should make “some” allowances to help kids like this in whatever way will help them. But can you seriously believe the adults in that room are doing it for the kid to begin with? I do not see how this helps them learn anything positive. There are plenty of ways to help build self worth and help develop skills/accomplishment. But lying to someone to benefit the liars ain’t it.
There are pep squads, there are jobs helping the team directly et all. All things disabled kids CAN and DO accomplish, giving them a REAL sense of purpose. And the team aren’t just faking it all. They are really doing it. And the kid KNOWS they really are part of the team.
And not a single person has to lie to make all those good things, real things, happen.
Disappointment is a part of life for the disabled, the differently abled, the non abled and the fully and spectacularly abled. We all need to find our place in the world and make it on the abilities we actually posses.
Or you become a democrat in training.