If I was a handicapped person who was being patronized like that, I'd be so embarrassed & disgusted I wouldn't know what to do.
Yes, if you had all the mental acuity you have today, it could be seen as demeaning.
Not knowing this particular kid, I couldn't say anything for sure. But the people who do know him obviously thought his dedication to the sport and his heart in staying with the team earned him the right to a nice gesture. They must have known how HE would perceive it. So, I bet it was ok and the kid took it in the spirit it was intended.
Thanks for the soccer story.
:-) My pleasure.
I too gag a little when I read a story like this.
With the Jake Porter story it took me a little while to identify the pieces and let them fall in place. Save for a long explanation of curing mental retardation, I think the situation for Jake and both teams all worked out for the best.
"I told them (Waverly) ahead of time that he can’t take a hit or anything," Frantz said.
It seems that Jake knew his situation yet wanted to be on the football team despite knowing he'd never take a play, except maybe a knee-down. He showed up for every practice never taking a hit and suited up for every game. Sounds like he just wanted to be there -- be a part of the team. Not just a water boy either.
He probably doesn't know that he is being patronized. A good friend of mines' brother was in the same state of retardation, and he wouldn't have known the difference.