[Nfbk] "Rope" Conversation

[Cathy Jackson]

Good Evening,
I am ever bit as up set now as I was when I first heard about all if this on Wednesday morning. Kids grow up to be adults.  If the staff at the school for the blind doesn't have any more respect for blind students than this, then they must not have respect for blind adults either,  including their blind co-workers. We will keep on doing what we do best and that is promote a positive image about blindness and a can do philosophy.
Cathy

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 28, 2013, at 5:17 PM, "Kevin Pearl" <kvnprl at twc.com> wrote:

> I know you have read the messages about the KSB students and  the rope.  I want to share a conversation from the Kentucky School for the Blind Alumni Facebook Page.  This took place between about 4PM Thursday and 5PM today.  I am truly amazed at some of these comments.
>  
> Kevin Pearl
> 
> This last Tuesday Kentucky School for the Blind staff members were taking a group of high school students from their summer program to swim at the Jewish Community Center. The students were told that they had to all hold on to a rope so that no one would get separated from the group. One brave student refused so the staff had everyone get back on the bus and swimming was cancelled. On the previous day, a middle school student had wandered from the group. That was the justification for humiliating the high school students. To me, this is simply appalling! Bad choices were made and these kids were humiliated. If the kids don't have enough mobility skills or there isn't enough staff to handle the situation, they should not have taken this trip. High school can be a difficult time for kids. And blind kids can sometimes have a difficult time fitting in. To treat them like animals is just inexcusable to me. If you share my concern,  please contact KSB and let them know. 
> 
> Marty Eugene Montgomery I have to say while this may not appear to be what should have been done. Until we know for sure if any of the students involved didn't have some condition that would make them wander at times then we should not be complaining and I'm sure because of HIPAA and such we can never know such things. Also it's a very short term program where all the students involved may not be known by all the  staff/faculty involved as well as others.
>  
> Kevin Pearl I have to disagree. If this can't be done in a respectful manner, it should not be done at all.
>  
> Sheila Maurer I agree there are enough stereotypes and lables put on the blind/visually impaired  kids/adults out there we don't need anything else. Shame on them.
>  
> Angie Spicer Aint no way i'd hold on to a rope with other VI kids when i was in school. Kids wondered off but we never had to do that and i wouldnt do it they told me too. I  understand the concern of losein a kid but man thats just sad and wrong. poor kids.
>  
> Kevin Pearl I encourage you all to contact John Roberts at KSB and ask him to guarantee that this will not happen again.
>  
> Kevin Pearl Now I am told they were doing this to elementary students. I wonder if anyone working their had an issue with this? I wonder if parents knew this was happening? I don't have a child in the Summer Enrichment Program. But I was a student at KSB. I can still remember how it felt being away from home at 5 years old.
>  
> Carla Ruschival Adam  and I were just down there this afternoon. No kids Heard no one being told to hold on to a rope. Kids all having a great time; lots of happy sounds.
>  
> Katie Adkins It's completely uncalled for in any situation. If some students need extra help you partner them with other students, this is what's done is public schools and up until now has always been done at KSB. I hope that everyone takes the time to call John Roberts and let him know that this can't happen again.
> 
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