Just when you think you can’t lose any more faith in humanity Utah leaps to the forefront and takes another step backward for the entire human race. Thanks Utah!
This article is from: KSL.com
Family Upset about sign in Neighbors Yard
Sam Penrod reporting:
A cardboard sign is hanging in a tree, directed at a boy with developmental disabilities, and the boy’s mother isn’t happy.
Neighbor: “I’m not taking the sign down, last night was the first night of peace we’ve got in a long —– time.” Carrie Heaton, Colton’s Mother: “They’ve put up this sign now, that we feel is very discriminatory against my son.”
The cardboard sign is hanging in a tree in the Central Utah town of Nephi. It is also being denounced tonight by advocates for the disabled.
The boy’s family noticed the sign pointed at their home on Wednesday night, and tonight it is still there. That’s despite our visit to the neighbors who put it up.
Advocates for the disabled are outraged, calling it insensitive and in the same category as a racial slur.
Carrie Heaton, Nephi Resident: “You are a good guy.”
Colton Heaton: “Yes I’m a good guy
Carrie Heaton, Nephi Resident: “Yes you are… Pats”
13-year-old Colton Heaton is developmentally delayed. His mother says he is more like a three year old.
Carrie Heaton, Nephi Resident: “He looks normal but once you start talking to him, you can see he has these problems and he’s just a loving little guy, he thinks we’re just a great big family.”
But now a cardboard sign is hanging in their neighbor’s tree — spray painted with the words: “Caution– Retards in Area.” His mother says it is fortunate Colton can’t read the words.
As we were filming the sign, we could see the neighbors who put it up were outside, so we approached them for their side of the story.
Sam Penrod, Eyewitness News: “Why did you put that sign up?
Neighbor: “I’ve been harassed for six months, my daughter has been assaulted.”
Sam Penrod, Eyewitness News “By who?”
Neighbor: “The young boy, we got pictures and everything and they would not press charges because he is handicapped.”
The neighbor claims Colton threw a rock at his young daughter. Other neighbors told us they have frequently found Colton wandering onto their property.
Still, the Disability Law Center says using offensive words is the wrong way to handle a difficult situation.
Fraser Nelson, Executive Director, Disability Law Center: “People with disabilities are probably the last group for whom we continue to use language that is hurtful and offensive. Instead of being someone who is mentally retarded, you are a person with a developmental disability and that means really what we are valuing is the person.”
Tom Brownlee, Advocate for those with Disabilities: “When I was growing up, people always used that word in front of me and called me retarded.”
Someone who knows how hurtful that word can be is Tom Brownlee, who today is an advocate for those with disabilities.
Tom Brownlee, Advocate for those with Disabilities: “I hate that word, it was very offensive and I just want them to see that people with disabilities deserve the respect that they are entitled to.”
Both Brownlee and Nelson are hoping the community will stand up against any behavior that lessens the role of people with disabilities in society.
Fraser Nelson, Executive Director, Disability Law Center: “Regardless of cognitive disability I may have, I’m a person and people do not deserve to have signs pointed at them, making fun of them, scaring them, harassing them.”
We contacted Nephi Police and they are working with the Juab County Attorney — who told me tonight — he finds it distasteful and derogatory and is researching what legal options may be available, since the neighbors still refuse to take the sign down.
The Disability Law Center is planning to meet with local officials to offer sensitivity training there in Nephi.
__________________________________________________
Where to start with this?
A) The neighbors for being complete pricks, albeit funny pricks. (Yes the sign is funny. Offensive? Yes. Undeserving? Yes. Inconsiderate? Yes. Hilarious? Yes)
B) The parents of the developmentally disabled child. You can’t let your kid round around the neighborhood unchecked because of your shitty parenting skills, and then when shit happens you blame it on his condition. It doesn’t take a village to raise a child it takes someone with some common sense and an IQ above 75.
C) Was that not one of the most poorly written news articles ever?
It’s situations like this that I ask: WWJJD? Or what would Judge Judy do?
(The transcript of how things would go down using actual Judge Judy Quotes)
Petri Hawkins-Byrd: Parties have been sworn in, Judge.
[to audience]
Petri Hawkins-Byrd: You may be seated.
Colton Heaton (retarded kid): Yes I am a good guy.
Judge Judy: If you live to be a hundred, you will never be as smart as me. On your BEST day, you’re not as smart as *I* am on my WORST day.
Neighbor: I’m not taking the sign down, last night was the first night of peace we’ve got in a long —– time.
Judge Judy: Don’t spit on my cupcake and tell me it’s frosting.
Tom Brownlee: I hate that word, it was very offensive and I just want them to see that people with disabilities deserve the respect that they are entitled to.
Judge Judy: …I think you ought to be quiet. You know, they don’t need anybody stirring up the pot. You’re a pot-stirrer.
Neighbor: I’ve been harassed for six months, my daughter has been assaulted.
Judge Judy: When you mess around with jail-bait, you accept the consequences!
Neighbor: We got pictures and everything and they would not press charges because he is handicapped.
Judge Judy: Don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining.
Colton Heaton (retarded kid): Yes I am a good guy.
Judge Judy: I have 3 sons, so I know you are no gift! You’re not even good looking!
You know I can’t even top that last quote I am just going to stop here and wait for the bus to hell to come and pick me up.
What do you guys think about this situation?
I write about the stuff we all think but don't like to talk about.
