Scouting for the Disabled

One thing I am passionate over is Scouting for the Disabled because for one thing this blog writer was a disabled boy, these days a disabled adult little boy who believes we should not be denied the same sorts of experiences as non-disabled boys either because organizations choice to exclude us of which the Scouting Association and others certainly haven't before it was fashionable to talk about inclusion or because of parental misunderstandings about what actually is possible.

The second thing I will say I know will cause some offence but I shall anyway and that is too many parents and so-called professionals are so tied into the notion of fragility they simply won't let a disabled boy do what he's programmed to do cos on the inside he's still a boy with same urges and needs.

It often means he doesn't learn to do as much as he could even if he needs help because they'd soon do it all that which also cuts him off from other boys, removes sources of pride, self-respect and grit all of which he'll need perhaps more than his non-disabled peers in coping with his condition and challenges that go with it.

Many Scouting Associations manage through support from the District and above to include disabled children in regular scouting at all levels while in some situations, special units may be set up, possibly attached to special S.E.N. boarding schools.

The unit show in a vintage picture is Glasgow Disabled Scouts, in Scotland, U.K.  which has been providing scouting for the disabled since 1933.