With Friends Like These...

So I've been ripped to shreds on a Labour Party Forum, (I know!!!) because I committed the grave sin of disagreeing with the pitchfork, Loony Leftie contingent. This is all because I offered an alternate opinion on an article in the Metro news about a Mother who deemed it, "discriminatory" for her autistic son to wear a hi-vis jacket during playtimes because the child had been accused of, "hurting other children". I could see no issue with this, it allows the staff to identify the child and keep observations regarding his interaction with other children.

Well, that's not on apparently and my views are so repugnant that I was told I should wear a hi-vis jacket so that people can steer clear of my, "incredibly poor attitude". Actually, it's not a bad idea if it keeps away shitheads away from me. Thinking about it, I'll get myself a police siren to go along with it so everyone can give me a wide berth!

Anyway, to cut a long story short, here's my final take on the subject. Hey, guess what, they're still hounding me on the forum as of 1AM, so it must feel like they've been triggered by Hitler, Franco and Mussolini during a night out in Berlin!

Here are my thoughts, and you know old Becky, she doesn't do succinct;

"Firstly, I wrote a research paper in the 90's regarding SEND children and their experiences in segregated and integrated education and it was published in a journal whilst I was at University. My Mum fought for years to get me into mainstream school because the authorities thought I wouldn't be able to cope. Guess what, they were WRONG. This was in the 80's during the Thatcher years. It wasn't "butterflies and rainbows" as you suggest by any stretch. My Mum was a single parent with no support from my Dad having to work well into the night. Yes, education like many other important bastions of a civilized society is horrendously underfunded. Yes, children who have additional needs should get the support they need, but they shouldn't be wrapped in cotton wool. I wasn't supported properly until I went to Sixth Form College.

I am not going to comment on the individual cases you present here but as parents you do the best you can for your children. Inclusive education exists now. It's successful in many cases. Some children are better suited to a school that meets their needs more effectively. There is NO conspiracy afoot to keep disabled children out of the education system. Teachers have got better things to do than sit in the staff room drumming up nefarious plots to exclude little Johnny because he's difficult. This is not an example of systematic oppression. I am not going to be an apologist for disabled people. There are lovely people and there are some horrible people. You've clearly got your opinion of me because I dared to offer a counter argument. Having a different viewpoint is allowed, even from a fellow disabled person. This is merely a case of one woman who thinks that her child should be prioritised over the others. He's autistic, he hits other children, he's been kept inside because of his behaviour. You don't need CCTV proof, kids were naughty in the 70's and most parents never questioned the school when they were informed of their child's bad conduct.

The simple act of wearing a hi-vis jacket so that the staff can identify and keep an eye on this kid isn't a hideous Nazi style method to prepare the child for the gas chamber, nor some covert institutional ploy to get rid of a bad apple, it's an article of clothing. Nothing more, nothing less. If it helps to keep that child safe along with the others, what the HELL is the problem? Why didn't the Mother play along with the school and spin it into a positive? You know like little kids wear a Batman costume and they really do BELIEVE they're Batman! Whether or not a child has a disability or impairment, they should be taught boundaries and be accountable for their actions. If you raise a child thinking the world revolves around them then you're making a rod for your back. Children should get the adequate support and equipment that enables their integration but sometimes due to the political climate or whatever, "You can't always get what you want" as the Rolling Stones song goes.

Now that's the final thing I'm going to say on the matter and yes, it's different to what you all think and hey, that's ok you know! I daresay you'll all be seething with venomous reposts but try and go back to reciting the Disability Discrimination Act and you'll soon calm down.

Goodnight!"

Just for the record I apparently have had no experience fighting for inclusive education despite being a kid during the educationally apartheid years of the 80's, having to undergo Educational Psychology reports and I.Q. tests along with being a "Statemented" child with zero choice in the schools I attended. Which meant constantly having to make new friends at the only schools that were accessible. In 1994 I wrote a research paper that was published, and because of that, they think I'm a know-all (fair point) and I'm trying to blind them with science.

Wouldn't be hard now would it?... 😂😂😂

You can leave your 'tinfoil' hat on! I'm outta here...