Normal Scouts

[cballman]

I will ask the bad question for this subject. what do you as a parent and/or scout leader consider normal? What do you as a parent and/or scout leader consider to be a disabled scout? this is the questions that have been asked and some answers are hurtful to some but I just came off a hike of about 10 miles a couple of weeks ago boy was I sore, tire and hurting and complaining like a baby. now on a shorter hike of about 5 miles we had a scout who has TWO prosthethic legs. not once did I hear him complain or whine about being sore or hurting. now who feels bad? I do why because i was stupid for complaining and this child had a great time. now who is the disabled one in this picture? it was ME for not seeing past a child who had a great time and learned a lot.

[Mrw]

In my view:

Normal equals typical - in ability and behavior.

Not normal is not a bad thing, just different most of the time. If the "not normal" behavior is causing a disruption or safety hazard, then it needs to be dealt with on a case by case basis. If the "not normal behavior" is odd, but not disruptive or causing safety concerns, then it is to be tolerated as that is just part of who that particular child is.

If the "not normal" thing is an ability question, then the person should be encouraged to do their best and supported in doing that.

I don't think I know any one who would be considered completely "normal" - without some little personality quirk or such - in all circles.

We spend several weeks a year bike touring. My boss, my parents and many of my co-workers think that is not a normal behavior. Our friends all do the same thing and can't understand why the rest of you aren't out there with us.

I had a boy in my second Webelos den who had cerebral palsy and used crutches or a wheelchair. He was expected at home and at scouts to do everything the other boys did. He put my "normal" boys to shame a few times with his work ethic and great attitude. It used to frustrate his mom that when he was excited to go somewhere, he would forget to bring his crutches when he got in the car!

[WeeWillie]

Consider all Scouts "normal" and then work from the exceptional circumstances as they arise.

[Quailman]

What do you as a parent and/or scout leader consider to be a disabled scout?

As a parent of a scout with a disability, I'd first like to bring your attention to the first requirement of the Disabilities Awareness MB:

Discuss with your counselor proper disability etiquette and person first language. Explain why these are important.

Person first language means remembering that they're scouts first and that they are not defined by their disabilities.

Having said that, there are many types and degrtees of disabilities that scouts may have. My son has cerebral palsy, and he is forutnate in that it primarily affects his legs. He can walk, but not great distances or over difficult terrain. He cannot climb or descend more than one step without a handrail. He may need an alternate to the Swimming/Hiking/Cycling requirement, but he's going to try to complete the swimming MB this summer. The main obstacles are getting pants off in the water and the different kicks needed for sidestroke and butterfly.

I would think that and condition which requires alternate requirements would fit the description of a disability. But if my son makes it through swimming, then he won't need any alternate requirements and I guess that he would be considered 'normal'.

[FrankJ]

Normal means being in the middle of the bell tower curve.

Not being normal can be good or bad. IE an extremely intelligent person would not be "normal".

I even find myself as refering to something as normal in one context in not another.

When used without malice, I do not get offended when the word is used as a descriptor.

[evmori]

Consider all Scouts "normal" and then work from the exceptional circumstances as they arise.

Great way to look at it! Should be a standard we all use.

[jr56]

I agree, what a great attitude to have.

[Hubert]

Indeed, we have a scout who has a spinal disease, we do not exclude him from anything, we ask him if he wishes to try it, and he does. So far, he has only had to opt. out of a few things, he attempted swimming, to become a level three swimmer, but he couldnt do it. He was not dissapointed though, he kept a high head because in trying for Lv. 3, he completed req. for Lv. 2.

Ok, now this brings up a question:

When dealing with a scout of this nature, how is it fair to the rest of the boys? The pther boys are unable to do some events becse of this. My troop is not a big troop, we have 17 members. Also, we have limited funds. How can we make it fair to the others, and is there a way to get them do do other things without making the disabled boy feel left out? Thanks!

[Mrw]

You do not need to restrict the other boys because of one boy's disability.

It is right to include him as much as possible, but if the troop wants to plan some long hikes or backpacking that he cannot do, it should not be a problem.

This boy fully understands that there are things he is not able to do. Try to plan some things that he can really excel in to balance the things he doesn't do so well. I am sure there are areas where he can teach and lead too.

[Hubert]

there are few areas he "excels" in. Hes the shortest boy, I wouldnt give him over 4'5" and his disability restricts him from a lot of other things, it effects the way he walks. We try not to say no to the other boys, but we also try to include as many as we can. We went to Base Camp and were going to do the high ropes course, but he is too short. We explained to him that soon we will go and he understood he would be unable.

Thanks.

[Quailman]

Try to come up with alternative activities that other boys could participate in if they chose to. For example, while going off to do the ropes course, have two leaders stay behind for fishing. This gives the added advantage that a 'normal' boy could opt to keep him company rather than admit that he'd really be terrified of the ropes course.

[Hubert]

Ok I like that. but the ropes corse was a place just of such nature. nothing else.

[Mrw]

There may be no PHYSICAL activity where he excels, but he may well be mcuh better organized or better at some of the more intellectual things when it comes to learning merit badge subject skills, etc.

Those are important too and everyone, no matter what, has someplace they excel.

I do like the option of a second activity that he could do when there is one he cannot do. It really does give an easy opt-out for another boy who is not wanting to do the more physical activity for whatever reason.

[Lynda J]

One thing that I was always told by my parents. "if you discriminate against one person because of their lack of even one ability then we discriminate against every other person. Including ourselves. Because in judging someone by their disability we have in fact made ourselves disabled."

Over the years I have had girls and boys in scouting that could not perform some tasks as well as others. Being it walking a rough path or moving an idea from paper to mind back to paper. But what we have to do is allow them to work within their own ability. Remember Scouting says "DO YOUR BEST" . If you are doing your best that is all that anyone can expect.

Doing our best also means accepting others as they are. Seeing past some disability. Not being judgemental and critical of their short comings.
Because only if you are perfect do you have the right to critize others. And I don't know of any of us that falls into that catagory

[Hubert]

Oh no LyndaJ, I was not criticizing him, I hope I didnt come off that way. He is an awsome individual who trys everything we do. But some places have a hight rule or something of that matter. Thats out only problem. We dont want to tell him "no" but the rules do it. We have no say in those. But thanks for all who gave their input!

[pipestone1991]

Consider all Scouts "normal" and then work from the exceptional circumstances as they arise.

ditto

[mom4-2eaglescouts]

What about having photographer duties? There are never enough pictures of this kind of stuff. Then he can be "active" without being left out. This way, afterwards at the campfire when the boys talk about their big activity, he is not left out and has been a contributing member.

[ASM-142]

What about having photographer duties? There are never enough pictures of this kind of stuff. Then he can be "active" without being left out. This way, afterwards at the campfire when the boys talk about their big activity, he is not left out and has been a contributing member.

A photographer would fall under Historian

[mom4-2eaglescouts]

Yes, and regardless who the historian is, I'm sure any troop historian would appreciate more pictures because the Historian might be up in those ropes and not able to get many of these action shots. Just taking pictures is part of the process, the historian has to do the album or scrapbook.

[Fibonacci]

Our troop Historian creates a PowerPoint slide show of photos for every Court of Honor. He would LOVE more photos, especially of him participating in the activities. I think asking a Scout who is not activitely participating (for whatever reason) to assist the Historian by taking photos is an excellent idea.

We also have a monthly newsletter, and the Scouts take turns writing the articles about their activities & outings. This is another opportunity for Scouts to shine.