The "Special Needs" Debate

About a month ago, a chain overwhelmed my Facebook.com feed, stating that: "It's Special Education Week! Special needs kids are not sick or gross, they only want what we all want: to be accepted. You never understand a situation until you are faced with it. This is in honor of all the children made in a unique way!" While this year-old status statement has a sweet sentiment, this upset me the utmost, due to the close ties I have with developmentally disabled individuals.

You see... I don't think there is such a thing as "Special Education Week"--what is that? A week when "normal people" are educated on "special people"? Yikes. Hey, honest and fair kudos to all of you who admirably posted this as your Facebook status in support of fair acceptance for all, but developmentally disabled people are no different from say, homosexual people, or African-American people, who always deserved their full rights, but are (or were) disgustingly prohibited of them within society in different, countless ways. In my opinion, because of the way this hoax is worded, it could make these individuals even more embarrassed to be who they are.

Opinion # 1: While there is no defined "normal" on our vast earth enriched with diverse cultures, take a look at the sentence: "This is in honor of all the children made in a unique way." You are kidding, right? Every child is made in a unique way! Could that line be any more degrading? Or how about the sentence, "You never understand a situation until you are faced with it." Which is correct, obviously, because we all lead different lifestyles. Because of that fact, however, what does someone who has never experienced (assuming the person who created this hoax has no disability) being "special needs" rightfully have to prove in such a claiming statement? Do you really think all "special needs" kids have such a horrible life? If the author is hinting at bullying and torment, most kids are bullied--not just "unique" kids. This sentence seems to reinforce the ignorance on the topic, while the entire paragraph's point is trying to break down barriers.

Opinion #2: I'll make this situation personal. I sure as heck would not want someone posting: "Adopted people aren't all lonely or suffering from abandonment, quit listening to stereotypes and please be their friend. Post this in support of the kids whose families had to give them up! This is Adoption Appreciation Week!" That is just silly, right? Well, sadly that ignorance around both adoption and foster care systems truly is a pressing issue in society today. I, myself, do not feel better reading "support" in that context; I feel like a loser that deserves to be celebrated in a way that is blatantly talked down to.

Opinion #3: Now, I have my own learning disabilities, but I am not affected as much as some, in particularly genetic-related disabilities. Personally, when I hear the term "special needs", I pretty much hear "nigger", similar as in a reference to African-Americans. Sure, "retarded" is much worse, but just say "developmental disability" or "genetic disorder", because that is truly all it is! You wouldn't tell someone with cerebral palsy to their face that they have "special needs" and need to be recognized or accepted, now would you? They are not dumb, and a LOT of them are on Facebook! They function extremely similar, and know when we say "special" in that context, it is not a naturally positive phrase in society.

I will always back the equal rights of safety and peace for developmentally disabled children, or educationally challenged individuals like myself. What I won't do is sign any petition or spread hoaxes about how "special" or "needy of acceptance" they are. Acceptance is a given, not a negotiation.