The ignorance of humanity was once again brought out at the Green County Fair this year.
An out-of-town family was thoroughly enjoying all the fair had to offer: food, rides and the ever-popular Demolition Derby. Locating themselves near one of the many food vendors, one of their children sat down at the bench and excitedly started talking about the Derby; the smashing cars, loud noise and flying dirt. Not specifically to anyone, nor did he care if anyone even listened. He was excited and wanted to express that excitement by giving his narrative of the events. Sounds like a typical kid right?
Shortly after, one of the workers at that stand called a policeman over, stating that the child was disturbing the other patrons. No one complained, and the worker never asked the parents if they could encourage their child to talk more quietly. He was a nuisance, a discomfort. Why? That child is actually a 25-year-old guy with Down Syndrome.
This incident, a near replica of one that happened at the last Cheese Days Festival, has secured for that family that Monroe is not a place to attend events, at least not with every family member. And when they have to feel embarrassment and discrimination at an event intended for families, no one can blame them.
To their gratitude, the Lion's Club offered them a place to sit and spend time eating and socializing as a family, even when their son would expressively talk to no one in particular.
There are hundreds of thousands of people in the United States who live out their lives with Down Syndrome. This country has the Special Olympics, and there are countless jobs, clubs and events targeted specifically towards those with some form of mental retardation. This particular boy, although his mental capacity is about that of a five-year-old, can read, write and carry on a conversation. He loves the movie Cars, writes little stories constantly and loves people in an instant. He is not a freak, a nuisance or a discomfort; he's a son and brother, but most importantly, a person.
With this town's next big event fast approaching, the well-known Cheese Days, every single resident of Monroe and the surrounding area must not forget that discrimination, and downright grotesque insensitivity, goes beyond just the color of one's skin or the place of their birth; it also can go right to the very core of who someone is. If all can pay heed to that reminder, maybe another family can be spared from the tears and embarrassment that were endured.
An out-of-town family was thoroughly enjoying all the fair had to offer: food, rides and the ever-popular Demolition Derby. Locating themselves near one of the many food vendors, one of their children sat down at the bench and excitedly started talking about the Derby; the smashing cars, loud noise and flying dirt. Not specifically to anyone, nor did he care if anyone even listened. He was excited and wanted to express that excitement by giving his narrative of the events. Sounds like a typical kid right?
Shortly after, one of the workers at that stand called a policeman over, stating that the child was disturbing the other patrons. No one complained, and the worker never asked the parents if they could encourage their child to talk more quietly. He was a nuisance, a discomfort. Why? That child is actually a 25-year-old guy with Down Syndrome.
This incident, a near replica of one that happened at the last Cheese Days Festival, has secured for that family that Monroe is not a place to attend events, at least not with every family member. And when they have to feel embarrassment and discrimination at an event intended for families, no one can blame them.
To their gratitude, the Lion's Club offered them a place to sit and spend time eating and socializing as a family, even when their son would expressively talk to no one in particular.
There are hundreds of thousands of people in the United States who live out their lives with Down Syndrome. This country has the Special Olympics, and there are countless jobs, clubs and events targeted specifically towards those with some form of mental retardation. This particular boy, although his mental capacity is about that of a five-year-old, can read, write and carry on a conversation. He loves the movie Cars, writes little stories constantly and loves people in an instant. He is not a freak, a nuisance or a discomfort; he's a son and brother, but most importantly, a person.
With this town's next big event fast approaching, the well-known Cheese Days, every single resident of Monroe and the surrounding area must not forget that discrimination, and downright grotesque insensitivity, goes beyond just the color of one's skin or the place of their birth; it also can go right to the very core of who someone is. If all can pay heed to that reminder, maybe another family can be spared from the tears and embarrassment that were endured.
