Alex has regular therapy at our community center. The programs are great and the people really care about the kids they work with.
So what am I complaining about?
In the community center, there is an elevator. Alex loves elevators. He would watch it and ride it all day if I let him. I'll often reward him with a ride for good effort in the therapy session.
In the last few weeks, there have been signs inside the elevator saying "Please DO NOT let children push the elevator buttons". The first sign was small but now it's grown to the size of a small poster. To me, the all caps and underlining, as well as the increasing size of the notice, all translate into printed shouting.
It's really bothering me. It makes me feel as if my son and I are unwelcome.
Now, I do think it's important to not treat the elevator as a toy. If allowed, Alex would stay on the ground floor, push the button for the top floor, watch the elevator go up and then summon it back down to start again. That's not appropriate and I don't allow him to do it.
However, there is no harm in letting him enjoy one of his life's great pleasures as a regular part of our visit. I don't care how many signs they post, I'm not cutting him off.
The community center has a lot of prominent displays proclaiming it is a non-judgmental center for the whole community. Everyone is welcome. This sign in the elevator suggests that my child and the children like him are an exception.
I've been trying to decide whether or not I should mention anything to the staff at the center. I don't know who is posting the notice and it could be any one of dozens of people and groups who use the facility.
But I do believe that a little tolerance and acceptance is not too much to ask.
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