So Angry

[Shelton123]

Okay, I go to a camp called Summer Express for teens. Today we went to a baseball game. There's a guy in the camp who is in a wheelchair and has a mental disorder (not sure what it is). As we were walking in, we were a bit late. We saw a baseball go up in the air, and land right next to the kid in the wheelchair. What did the counseler supervising him do? She gave the ball to another little boy. The little boy wasn't even near the ball, he was a good 50 feet away. I was SOOOO angry. It landed right next to him, and he didn't have the ability to pick it up. Another thing, this might be the last time he ever goes to a baseball game IN HIS LIFE. I am so angry at that counseler for just giving it away, when it was rightfully his. The counseler tried to play it out "it wasn't even near him!" but everyone else saw it land right next to the him. Does anyone agree, or am I wrong to be angry?

 

[LMC]

She was an idiot. It sounds like people must have made comments that she could hear. I would have probably said something to her, being the mom of a SN, non-self advocating child. I think I would tell the childs (the one in the WC) about what this counselor did. Perhaps the counselor needs to learn how to be fair and fair in that situation was to give it to the person it landed next to.

 

[Schmeck]

So, are you sure this kid in the wheelchair even understood about the ball? because if the counselor knew the child had no concept of the significance of the ball, then giving it to a child who did understand the significance would make more sense to me.

For example, I work with children with many disabilities of varying types, levels, how ever you want to categorize it - some would understand the significance of being at a game and being given a baseball that landed in the stands, while others wouldn't even know what a baseball is, where it came from, and what the heck they were doing at the game in the first place. One student would have been in 7th heaven to be given the ball, while another student would have probably whipped it in my face if given a ball.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't know that we have enough information to decide.
I do agree it sounds like the counselor was feeling defensive because of the comment about the ball not being close.
It would have been nice for the counselor to at least ask if the guy in the wheelchair wanted the ball or wanted to give it away.
But, I agree there might be some things we don't know that would make giving the ball to the boy in the wheelchair not the best choice for that situation.
It could easily be the opposite too.

 

[minkydog]

Was this a youngish counselor? I ask because sometimes those with not a lot of experience might make this choice. I don't know why he did it, but it doesn't seem fair, does it?

My son doesn't know a thing about baseball as far as I know, wouldn't know how to pick up a ball if it bit him on the finger! But you can be darn sure that if I saw a ball land near him I'd pick it up and put it in his hand, say "throw the ball, Christian" and clap for him until my hands hurt.