'Special Needs': Are They Really Special?
I saw this video yesterday and thought about sharing it. But I didn't want to do the Facebookey thing and simply click "Share". I thought I might add a bit more to it.
But first watch the video (2 minutes), and then we'll talk.
Do People With Down Syndrome Have 'Special Needs'
First I must say that I thought the video was extremely well done, and watching the actors makes me think of the possibilities for my own daughter (who, by the way, will be starting junior high next year, and taking theater/drama as her elective).
I also think that it is quite effective in its purpose, as a public service announcement, of making the viewer think about the message. But in order to achieve that, I think they didn't convey the entire message. That was perhaps done purposefully, for if you really want someone to think critically about something, don't hand it all to them, but rather leave some gaps for them to fill in for themselves.
My point is, yes, most of the needs of people with Down syndrome are exactly the same as the needs of everyone else, just as the video suggests. But that is not to say that people with Down syndrome do not also have needs which are unique to them or others with disabilities or impairments. I am not going to go into detail naming all of these special needs, as I am sure you can imagine what is required. Suffice it to say, I think the video kind of minimized, or in fact omitted, part of the reality.
I realize that this campaign is trying to say 'hey, we're just like everyone else', and we as parents certainly want to raise our children mainstreamed and treated as equals to the extent practical, but we don't kid ourselves. Like everyone else, we push our kids to excel, as challenge is key to development. After all, if you want to improve in something, you don't practice it with someone less skilled at it - you practice it with someone who is better than you.
But there's also a lot going on behind the scenes - the coaching, motivating, pushing, cheerleading never stops, until she lays her head on her pillow at night at the end of another exhausting (both physically and mentally, for both parent and child) day.
Tell me what you thought about the video - I'd love to hear what others think.
Strategic advisor
7 年Agree with the commentary. There is something here about language too though. We don't say a person with mental health issues who is homeless has 'special' needs, or an older person with dementia. Why is it used with certain types of disabilities? I find the use of 'special' with disability buys into the idea of good and bad disability rather than different needs.
Professional Software Product Owner, IBM certified Data Scientist - Generative AI,NLP- Software Engineer & MBA
7 年Actually,I enjoyed it too much , specially the last scene was wonderful ,the simple and at the same time very influential words to convey a very significant message to the world.But I thought if they depicted the people with down syndrome who are success in their personal and social life ,they could change the view of the world about them too .But totally , i appriciate the method which they applied in their video.
Founder - iDareU - Small Business owner, Author Advocate Agitator Empowerer | 2022 Lifetime Achievement Inductee Vic Disability Award
7 年As a mum of a 25yo daughter who has Down syndrome, I get very concerned that some well meaning and great intentioned media/orgs can make people with Ds out to have no extra challenges then others...just different. Chloe is pretty competent , but boy, there was and still is - a mile of hard work and perseverance to make this happen!! I believe everyone if different and we need to celebrate difference BUT we can't totally discount capacity. I like to think people with a disability need to taught to exceed within their capacity. Anyone with an intellectual disability struggle with many things in life and there is nothing to be ashamed about with that. When we can accept and acknowledge our loved ones shortcomings, we and they can work on their strengths and support their weaknesses. Let no-one tell you raising a child with Ds is no different to raising a child who is 'normal'....it just ain't and that ain't bad, but it is real. In saying that, I never celebrate Chloes expected achievements.....only those she has worked hard to achieve...just like with my other children. She isn't 'special' but she does have extra needs.
"Free Thinking is Priceless. Life-Centric Thinking is Abundance Incarnate" ~the trojan GIRAFFE of whiteness~ Seeking Angel Investor> 1-Woman-Improv > HOW TO DEMOLISH RACISM BY 2030 #AutisticAF +Acquired Prodigious Savant
7 年This is a perplexing question, Jeff Halfen. And I agree with both points. This video does an outstanding job of underlining the fact that every single one of us hanging around breathing have core needs and no one is exempt from needing love and respect. And then they wrap up and neglect to mention the equally relevant point, that part of true respect is celebrating differences and understanding how unique some of us are - in a variety of different ways that require special accommodations. We shouldn't label a person, but we should talk about what might be required to enable them to thrive in their life. So another 30 seconds or 1 minute highlighting the different needs of people with Down's would do a fuller job of educating us on the way to an inclusive world that allows for all to be accepted. All things considered, I learned far more, about many things, in the video Hannah starred in about the role of small horses in challenging and motivating people with Down's.