[Nfbc-info] Nfbc-info Digest, Vol 115, Issue 16
Dennis Russak
russakdennis at gmail.com
Sun Dec 28 00:41:41 UTC 2014
This is in reply to what orriginally
appeared on our list-serve concerning the 8-year-old boy who had his cane taken away by the bus driver in the North Kansas City School District.
While I believe that the long white cane is not meant to be used as a weapon, the boy probably was trying to defend himself against being bullied on the bus while on his way to school. The "punishment" was definitely wrong. What should have happened, is both the boy's and the bully's or bullies' parents should have been summoned to the school with the report cards denied to any of the parents who refused to come to the school for a conference about this type of incident, so everybody could find out what actually happened. I know I was bullied all the time back east when I went to the residential school for the Blind. The teachers and administration not only did nothing about it, but egged the students on who were doing it. My parents were told that I was being a sissy and deserved it, and they accepted the school's explanation, so I am very proud of the boy's parents who are not putting up with this, and actually doing something about this. A hearty congratulations to them from Dennis Russak, board Member, River City Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of California (Sacramento)
----- Original Message -----
From: nfbc-info-request at nfbnet.org
To: nfbc-info at nfbnet.org
Date: Friday, December 19, 2014 4:01 am
Subject: Nfbc-info Digest, Vol 115, Issue 16
>
>
> Send Nfbc-info mailing list submissions to
> nfbc-info at nfbnet.org
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbc-info_nfbnet.org
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> nfbc-info-request at nfbnet.org
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> nfbc-info-owner at nfbnet.org
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Nfbc-info digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Bus Driver Takes Blind Student's Cane... (Lisa Irving)
> 2. Re: Bus Driver Takes Blind Student's Cane...
> (rcubfank at sbcglobal.net)
> 3. Re: Bus Driver Takes Blind Student's Cane... (Brandon Keith Bi(s)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 19:12:22 com0800
> From: "Lisa Irving" <peacefulwoman89 at cox.net>
> To: <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [Nfbc-info] Bus Driver Takes Blind Student's Cane...
> Message-ID:
> <!&!AAAAAAAAAAAYAAAAAAAAACtfY/hZfcBNhZFUrNCUZJfCgAAAEAAAAJ0AgSIvBD1Ev+wDDhH3xpABAAAAAA==@COXDDNET greater-than
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=by us-ascii"
>
> Hello All,
>
>
>
> For many reasons my stomach continues to churn after reading this appalling
> article about a blind child and how the school "punished" him for
> misbehavior on the school bus.
>
>
>
> True, no child should be excused for unsafe and inappropriate behavior. I'd
> like to know what this little boy's life has been like when riding the
> school bus. I have a hunch this child was provoked one too many times and
> lashed out. Whatever the precipitous it is inexcusable on the part of
> "intelligent" school officials to make a blind child use a pool noodle
> instead of his cane!
>
>
>
> Here's what I was able to cut and paste from the article.
>
>
>
> Dakota Nafzinger is an 8-year-old from Kansas City, Missouri, who goes to
> Gracemor Elementary. He was born without eyes, a condition called Bilateral
>
> Anopthalmia
>
>
>
> Recently, Dakota came home with a pool noodle instead of his cane. The
> school said it was punishment for Dakota's bad behavior on the school bus.
>
> Recently, Dakota came home with a pool noodle instead of his cane. The
> school said it was punishment for Dakota&rsquobbness bad behavior on the school
> bus.
>
>
>
> facebook.com
>
>
>
> Dakota's family is furious. They
>
> told
>
> local affiliate WOULDAF-TV that taking away Dakota's cane is the same as taking
> away his eyes. "He shouldn't be treated the way he's being treated,"
> Dakota's
>
> father Donald said.
>
> Dakota&rsquobbness family are furious. They told local affiliate WOULDAF-TV that
> taking away Dakota&rsquobbness cane is the same as taking away his eyes.
> &ldquobbHe
>
> shdn’ to be treated the way he’ s being treatedea”
> Dakota&rsquobbness father Donald said.
>
>
>
> The school said that Dakota has to use the pool noodle for the next two
> weeks, claiming the boy used his school-supplied cane to hit someone while
> riding
>
> the bus.
>
> javascript:
>
> javascript:
>
>
>
> North Kansas City School District Spokeswoman Michelle Cronk told reporters
> that the school did take away Dakota's cane, but said it was a preventative
>
> measure to make sure the boy didn't hurt himself or others.
>
> javascript:
>
> javascript: As news of Dakota's punishment has spread, furious Facebook
> users are pouring on to the elementary school's Facebook page, upset over
> the school's decision.
>
> As news of Dakota&rsquobbness punishment has spread, furious Facebook users are
> pouring on to the elementary school&rsquobbness Facebook page, upset over the
> school&rsquobbness
>
> decision.
>
>
>
> Facebook: Gracemor-Elementary-School
>
>
>
> From,
>
> Lisa Irving
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 19:44:58 com0800
> From: <rcubfank at sbcglobal.net>
> To: "Lisa Irving" <peacefulwoman89 at cox.net>, "NFB of California List"
> <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Nfbc-info] Bus Driver Takes Blind Student's Cane...
> Message-ID: <2D14BBA7AE2644DCB6A1BA0668A8D9F3 at laura>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=by iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> I agree this is terrible. I , however, would like to get the entire story
> from the school before we go off half cocked on this one. A cane should
> never be used as a wheapon. I tend to believe the boy and his family, but we
> need to get both sides of the story.
>
>
>
>
>
> Rob Kaiser, President National Federation of the Blind of California Orange
> County Chapter cell#gg760(792-0525 email;
> rcubfank at sbcglobal.net
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lisa Irving via Nfbc-info
> Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 7:12 PM
> To: nfbc-info at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Nfbc-info] Bus Driver Takes Blind Student's Cane...
>
> Hello All,
>
>
>
> For many reasons my stomach continues to churn after reading this appalling
> article about a blind child and how the school "punished" him for
> misbehavior on the school bus.
>
>
>
> True, no child should be excused for unsafe and inappropriate behavior. I'd
> like to know what this little boy's life has been like when riding the
> school bus. I have a hunch this child was provoked one too many times and
> lashed out. Whatever the precipitous it is inexcusable on the part of
> "intelligent" school officials to make a blind child use a pool noodle
> instead of his cane!
>
>
>
> Here's what I was able to cut and paste from the article.
>
>
>
> Dakota Nafzinger is an 8-year-old from Kansas City, Missouri, who goes to
> Gracemor Elementary. He was born without eyes, a condition called Bilateral
>
> Anopthalmia
>
>
>
> Recently, Dakota came home with a pool noodle instead of his cane. The
> school said it was punishment for Dakota's bad behavior on the school bus.
>
> Recently, Dakota came home with a pool noodle instead of his cane. The
> school said it was punishment for Dakota&rsquobbness bad behavior on the school
> bus.
>
>
>
> facebook.com
>
>
>
> Dakota's family is furious. They
>
> told
>
> local affiliate WOULDAF-TV that taking away Dakota's cane is the same as taking
> away his eyes. "He shouldn't be treated the way he's being treated,"
> Dakota's
>
> father Donald said.
>
> Dakota&rsquobbness family are furious. They told local affiliate WOULDAF-TV that
> taking away Dakota&rsquobbness cane is the same as taking away his eyes.
> &ldquobbHe
>
> shdn’ to be treated the way he’ s being treatedea”
> Dakota&rsquobbness father Donald said.
>
>
>
> The school said that Dakota has to use the pool noodle for the next two
> weeks, claiming the boy used his school-supplied cane to hit someone while
> riding
>
> the bus.
>
> javascript:
>
> javascript:
>
>
>
> North Kansas City School District Spokeswoman Michelle Cronk told reporters
> that the school did take away Dakota's cane, but said it was a preventative
>
> measure to make sure the boy didn't hurt himself or others.
>
> javascript:
>
> javascript: As news of Dakota's punishment has spread, furious Facebook
> users are pouring on to the elementary school's Facebook page, upset over
> the school's decision.
>
> As news of Dakota&rsquobbness punishment has spread, furious Facebook users are
> pouring on to the elementary school&rsquobbness Facebook page, upset over the
> school&rsquobbness
>
> decision.
>
>
>
> Facebook: Gracemor-Elementary-School
>
>
>
> From,
>
> Lisa Irving
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbc-info mailing list
> Nfbc-info at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbc-info_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Nfbc-info:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbc-info_nfbnet.org/rcubfank%40sbcglobal.net
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 10:04:57 +0100
> From: Brandon Keith Biggs <brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com>
> To: Lisa Irving <peacefulwoman89 at cox.net>, NFB of California List
> <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Nfbc-info] Bus Driver Takes Blind Student's Cane...
> Message-ID: <5493EA39.3010708 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>
> Hello,
> This is gross!
> Maybe we should call for the punishment for all children who punch
> another child to be blindfolded for inappropriate use of their eyes. But
> it must be a blindfold they can't take off without a key.
> We will give the same reasons. So they won't hurt themselves or others.
> I know at that age, I suffered enough bullying that I could totally see
> this as me.
> But I quickly realized that unless I grabbed the other person and
> started wrestling with them fighting did no good. So I figured out how
> to use teachers as shields. There is no shame in being a snitch or a
> wimp. It's better than being beat up or in trouble! Teachers are always
> first, never ever try and resolve a problem of bullying on your own. You
> will always lose.
> Besides, what do the bullys hate the most? Not being in control. When
> are they in the least position of power? When they are being watched by
> a teacher.
>
> So it may not be a bad idea for young children to do roll-playing so
> they can learn how to avoid the problem and grab a teacher.
> thanks,
>
> Brandon Keith Biggs <http://www.brandonkeithbiggs.com/>
> On 12/19/2014 4:12 AM, Lisa Irving via Nfbc-info wrote:
> > Hello All,
> >
> >
> >
> > For many reasons my stomach continues to churn after reading this appalling
> > article about a blind child and how the school "punished" him for
> > misbehavior on the school bus.
> >
> >
> >
> > True, no child should be excused for unsafe and inappropriate behavior. I'd
> > like to know what this little boy's life has been like when riding the
> > school bus. I have a hunch this child was provoked one too many times and
> > lashed out. Whatever the precipitous it is inexcusable on the part of
> > "intelligent" school officials to make a blind child use a pool noodle
> > instead of his cane!
> >
> >
> >
> > Here's what I was able to cut and paste from the article.
> >
> >
> >
> > Dakota Nafzinger is an 8-year-old from Kansas City, Missouri, who goes to
> > Gracemor Elementary. He was born without eyes, a condition called Bilateral
> >
> > Anopthalmia
> >
> >
> >
> > Recently, Dakota came home with a pool noodle instead of his cane. The
> > school said it was punishment for Dakota's bad behavior on the school bus.
> >
> > Recently, Dakota came home with a pool noodle instead of his cane. The
> > school said it was punishment for Dakota&rsquobbness bad behavior on the school
> > bus.
> >
> >
> >
> > facebook.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Dakota's family is furious. They
> >
> > told
> >
> > local affiliate WOULDAF-TV that taking away Dakota's cane is the same as taking
> > away his eyes. "He shouldn't be treated the way he's being treated,"
> > Dakota's
> >
> > father Donald said.
> >
> > Dakota&rsquobbness family are furious. They told local affiliate WOULDAF-TV that
> > taking away Dakota&rsquobbness cane is the same as taking away his eyes.
> > &ldquobbHe
> >
> > shdn’ to be treated the way he’ s being treatedea”
> > Dakota&rsquobbness father Donald said.
> >
> >
> >
> > The school said that Dakota has to use the pool noodle for the next two
> > weeks, claiming the boy used his school-supplied cane to hit someone while
> > riding
> >
> > the bus.
> >
> > javascript:
> >
> > javascript:
> >
> >
> >
> > North Kansas City School District Spokeswoman Michelle Cronk told reporters
> > that the school did take away Dakota's cane, but said it was a preventative
> >
> > measure to make sure the boy didn't hurt himself or others.
> >
> > javascript:
> >
> > javascript: As news of Dakota's punishment has spread, furious Facebook
> > users are pouring on to the elementary school's Facebook page, upset over
> > the school's decision.
> >
> > As news of Dakota&rsquobbness punishment has spread, furious Facebook users are
> > pouring on to the elementary school&rsquobbness Facebook page, upset over the
> > school&rsquobbness
> >
> > decision.
> >
> >
> >
> > Facebook: Gracemor-Elementary-School
> >
> >
> >
> > From,
> >
> > Lisa Irving
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Nfbc-info mailing list
> > Nfbc-info at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbc-info_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Nfbc-info:
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbc-info_nfbnet.org/brandonkeithbiggs%40gmail.com
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Subject: Digest Footer
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbc-info mailing list
> Nfbc-info at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbc-info_nfbnet.org
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of Nfbc-info Digest, Vol 115, Issue 16
> ******************************************
More information about the NFBC-Info
mailing list