(YouTube link)
Last Friday, the Snohomish Panthers were losing a home football game to the Lake Stevens Vikings. It would have been a game to forget until they put in 17-year-old Ike Ditzenberger, who has Down syndrome. Ike ran the ball 51 yards to score the team's only touchdown in the game. Link -via Buzzfeed
Total doll actually, wonderful attitude.
patronizing people is the opposite of treating them with respect
Guilt is a very powerful weapon, but Ike deserves his 15 minutes of fame.
I feel both a warmth knowing that teenagers from opposing teams allowed a young man with down's score a touchdown. I also agree that it comes dangerously close to being patronizing.
I do think having it as a news item IS wrong. Let this be a private moment for Ike to remember. Not something to display to the world. I bet all Ike would like is to be "like any normal guy his age" and this does exactly the opposite. It is one step short of being a carnival side-show.
"Step right up. See the down's boy score a touchdown. Step right up."