Leader needs advice: I have a Brownie troop of 14 girls. One of the girls is in a wheelchair. In years past, I have only done activities that see can participate in. Going forward, I am sure that I will need to mix it up a bit to keep the other girls interested. Not sure how to handle this. Of course, I will be talking to the mom but not having any experience before this, I don’t want to say the wrong thing or say something the wrong way. Would like to hear how this should be handled and would especially like to hear from parents with disabled children. Thanks in advance. I always get great advice from this page.
Troop leaders and parents shared their comments to help with managing a troop with disabled scouts.
Patti wrote in: No girl left behind. Find a way to get her there or to let her do the same activity.
RoseandLee’s help: No reason to treat her differently and if she feels apart of the activities and meeting, the other girls will do just fine. We have had a girl in our troop who has seizures and we have treated who like we treat any other girl and she has thrived. Today that girl is a Junior scout, plays softball and is a Cheerleader this upcoming football season…….explain to the girls the situation or allow the girl to explain who she is…..by doing so, others won’t feel so intimated and will treat her like any other Scout Sister.
Teresa’s idea: I’m a school psychologist as well as a leader. I would ask the mom if you could consult with the girl’s occupational and physical therapists. They are a great resource for modifying activities!
- Katherine agrees: Great answer– I am a school OT and often we are never told that a child is having trouble accessing activities outside of the school building. Take a can do approach and there will always be a way.
Deana wrote: No reason to plan separate events. In today’s world most activities are handicap accessible. Separate events is like singling out the girl.
Denise experience: I have a son with a disability its not physical but he has limitations. His Boy Scout leader happens to also have a child with same needs so she always does activities that he can handle but if there was an activity he couldn’t handle I as a parent would be fine with that.
Amanda’s Idea: Have her be your sidekick, and help with the planning and implementation of your event. Make her an important part of the planning, put her in charge of something. Let her know that you couldn’t accomplish this event without her.
Amber’s help: We have a handicap girl in our jrs troop and we make plans and let the parents decide if they want to participate. They are very willing to do whatever they can. They have gone ice skating and hiking with her and want to always let her participate. They don’t let her wheelchair hold her back! Hopefully you will get that lucky too!!
Bethany’s parental advice: As a mom of a daughter in a wheelchair, I find it very disheartening that many troop leaders are so willing to plan other events so the other girls “don’t miss out”. Please remember how incredibly hurtful it would be to be excluded because of something you can’t control. There is already an enormous stigma attached to wheelchairs and you are teaching these girls that it is okay to treat someone differently because they aren’t just like you. (And I want to hug you all who said, ‘No girl left behind!’)
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