Discrimination & Segregation still happens most often to students with Down syndrome.

Inclusion is a discussion most families are not talking about at the dinner table in most households. Unless you have a Child with Down syndrome the topic of Inclusion is talked about often. We know what being excluded and left out is all about. As parents and caregivers we know why it's important for our Children with Down syndrome to be Accepted and Fully Included into general education aka regular classes, sports and all the fun clubs and activities at school and just about everything in and around the Community we all live. 

It doesn't feel good to be left out, not called on, not asked or invited to do what others are doing. Everyone wants to have friends and be accepted for who we are, just as we are. Inclusion is a way of thinking that many in society just do not get. Society still has a long way to go in accepting people with disabilities. Acceptance and Inclusion of People with Disabilities in all aspects of living is the CIVIL RIGHTS of today.

Inclusion and being part of the group is the right thing to do! 
No one wants to be Excluded!

How would you feel if your name wasn't called and you were left out of what everyone else was doing? No one wants to be forgotten or left to always be last at being picked or not picked at all. How would you feel if you didn't have a BFF? We all want to be LIKED! We all want to be ACCEPTED. Discrimination, doesn't feel good, especially when it's happening to you! Being left out or turned away and not being called on or invited to 'the things' going on is hurtful and insensitive. People, wake up and look around your world, ask yourself: 

"Have I ignored or made someone feel discriminated against?"

"Did I make someone feel left out and alone because they have a disability?" 

"How can I be more helpful and accepting to those that are different than me?"

"Am I a friend to someone that could use a real friend?"

"Do I have any friends with disabilities?" (If not, why not?)

Let me guess, you clicked on this blog because you have a child with Down syndrome and the school doesn't want to allow your Child to be educated in the regular general education classroom. Your school district wants to segregate & have your child "go" somewhere else. A different classroom or a separate special needs school just for students with disabilities. I am only guessing, but this seems to be the way it goes for many (most) of our children sooner or later.

Being your Child's Advocate so they are accepted and part of whatever group or activity is going on is all we can do. We need to continue to Advocate for Inclusion for our Children. We can't make people become friends and like our children, but we sure can do what any good parent would do to make sure our Children are provided any and all opportunities that life throws our way from day-to-day. It means we do all we can to have our Children involved in all sorts of things that make our Children HaPpY! 

INCLUSION IS AN ATTITUDE! 
Inclusion is Natural~by Katie Snow
http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/

Oh how I wish I could take the hurt away I see when my own daughter is left out or forgotten. I so wish that discrimination and segregation wasn't allowed to happen today to anyone that has DIFFERENT ABILITIES! Why can't people see the discrimination and the hurt it causes others? Until it happens to you or someone you know and love, most will never really know what discrimination feels like and what it does to the core of a person's heart. It leaves a scar.

What can YOU do to make a difference in someone's life that is different than you in some way? We are all unique and wonderfully made. Be a better friend to that boy or girl you know is lonely and left alone by others or not called on and included in what everyone else is doing. You see those students that are Segregated in your school, reach out to them. Do the right thing and INCLUDE and become friends with someone new. Everyone wants and needs friends!

You may be the ONLY Friend they ever have!