Stupid Strikes Close To Home
You would think that FSU Coach Jimbo Fisher would know better. You would think so, but you would be wrong.
The BCS rankings are a lot of things, and have been described using a variety of colorful words, but one word that should not be used when describing the rankings is “retarded.” I wish Jimbo read my blog to realize how stupid he was to refer to the rankings with such a vile term.
It would be a waste of my time and yours to recap for you on here all of the recent posts I have written about a certain person using the term repeatedly. (But if you want to read them, they are here, here, here, here, here, and here.)
Unlike Ann Coulter, Jimbo Fisher realized that what he said was quite stupid, and he quickly apologized. His apology was a great first step, but I would like to see more out of him. Coach Fisher, you are hereby extended an invitation to the Seminole Showdown in the spring. Since some of your players will most likely be in attendance, this might be a good chance for you to see how much of an impact your players have on people who have been described using the term you did when referring to the BCS rankings. Coach Fisher, you have a platform to make a difference in the lives of many people with disabilities, and I sincerely hope that you will accept my offer.
It Starts With You
Happily, I am not the only one that is still upset about the ridiculous comments/hate that Ann Coulter spewed recently (you can read more here, here, here, and here). One reader (or possibly a shared username?) actually chose to comment on the “I Give Up Post” that I wrote, and I appreciate the input and the suggestion. Here is what was said:
“The only way for us to make a change is to hit her in the wallet. Find out which bookstores sell her books and get in touch with them, letting them know how we feel. Threaten to boycott those booksellers and get other advocates on board. Find out who her sponsors are and do the same.”
and
“She will be forced to care if we hit her hard enough in the wallet. That means enough people have to be upset enough to boycott booksellers that sell her books, and companies that sponsor her. Therefore we advocates should compile a list of booksellers which sell her books, call them up and explain why we are calling and what our concerns are, tell them what actions we would like them to take (we need to decide that as a community. That could take some time). We also need some allies who don’t have telephone anxiety, to make those cold calls. Then we need to decide “if the bookstore doesn’t do this, then we will boycott” decide what the parameters are for issuing a call to boycott. Then look up alternatives to that particular bookstore so that people outside the self advocacy community have a way to boycott and find other places to get their books, without being too inconvenienced. It sucks but if things are made easier for people they are more likely to follow along.
There are even more logistics we need to think of. But let’s do this. We need to act if we want to be taken seriously. We need many hands on deck, because this is a many-person job.”
Those two comments offer a wonderful suggestion. We know that in America, money talks. If we want to seriously make a difference and seriously help Ann Coulter realize that she hurts so many when she spews her venom by using the word “retard,” it is time to make her bank account suffer. It is not something that can be done overnight, or by just one or two people, but by the collective effort of people who honestly believe that uttering such a word is inappropriate. In the spirit of the season (Election Season that is), if everyone who reads/follows this blog will reach out to 5 people, we are looking at a network of 1,000 people already who believe that they can make a difference.
From a personal perspective, every time I hear someone call somebody else a “retard,” I cannot help but hurt inside knowing that they are indirectly calling Kaitlyn one as well. And that makes my blood boil. If you have read this blog for any length of time, or even read the entry from earlier today, you know that I volunteer and Kaitlyn participates in Miracle Sports. Last night, at the Seminole Showdown, a large group of athletes who Ann Coulter would happily make such an ugly remark about impacted the lives of close to 50 Division I athletes. Maybe Ann Coulter is just not smart enough to realize the impact of the people she so openly mocks; these tremendous people do more good for society on one night than someone like Ann Coulter can hope to do in three lifetimes.
Maybe the pain of that word is not as personal to you as it is to me. If it is not, I bet you will not have to search long on your Facebook (assuming you are on Facebook) friends list to find someone who does take it personally. The path to being a better, more educated society, starts with one person, and multiplies from there.
Underway
It seems like forever since the last Seminole Showdown. It was almost four months since we had seen a lot of our friends from Miracle Sports. Until last night, that is.
A persistent rain could not stop athletes and volunteers alike from having a great time last night as we kicked off the Miracle baseball season. The season will culminate November 1 with another Showdown.
Before we even left the house for school yesterday, Kaitlyn wanted me to text Ryan to make sure that he was bringing the boys to the field last night. I assured her that he was. As we were pulling out of the driveway to head to school, Kaitlyn asked a question that was of extreme importance, “Did Coach Mike say we could wear a regular shirt or our Miracle jersey?” I had to let her know that Coach Mike would want everyone to wear their Miracle jersey.
As 6pm came around, it brought with it some rain. After a brief rain delay, we figured it was time to start playing, even though it was still raining a bit. Kaitlyn did not seem to mind, even finding time to plop down on her stomach in a puddle at one point; not two minutes later, she was complaining that she was a little chilly. I wonder if there was any connection?
Like Kaitlyn, I am excited that Miracle is underway again. I have missed seeing the joy of the athletes and the dedication of the volunteers. As always, I urge you, if you have not yet experienced a night at a Miracle field, to find your local program and go out and watch one night. I promise you that you will leave with the smile on your face that was plastered there the whole time you watched the action; for an even bigger thrill, volunteer to be a buddy, it will change your life.
Showdown Time
One of the most amazing things about participating in Miracle Sports is the support the athletes get from FSU athletes. On any given Thursday, we have Seminoles out there helping out (especially our favorite swimmer).
Tonight was another Seminole Showdown. This past fall, the Miracle athletes took on the FSU baseball team, and tonight they took on the football team.
If it is fair to say the athletes enjoy themselves every Thursday, it is also true that they get even more excited to take on the Seminoles. Smiles were plentiful on both sides of the ball as Team Miracle scored a hard-earned win over the Noles. Kaitlyn scored a touchdown, and played excellent defense as she covered EJ Manuel.
I thoroughly enjoy our time on the Miracle Field. Especially when it comes to playing football. Kaitlyn would not be at home on a football field with “regular” kids playing by well-established rules; at Miracle, she plays like an All American. And, most importantly, Kaitlyn has a great time. I doubt that she would enjoy playing league football, yet she is all about playing football every Thursday.
As is custom, the Seminole Showdown marked the end of another season. I am thankful, as always, to the regular Green Teamers (Ryan, Holly, Mike, David, Caroline, Kristy and everyone else), and also to the football players that showed up tonight (EJ Manuel, Anthony Porterfield, Lonnie Pryor, Dustin Hopkins, and the rest). We have seen so much growth from Kaitlyn since we began playing Miracle Sports over a year ago.
*The picture in this post is of Kaitlyn locking down EJ Manuel*
Are You Ready…?
for some football?
We are! Miracle Sports starts back tonight for the first time in what seems like forever. Tonight, we kickoff (no pun intended) football season.
This will be Kaitlyn’s first time playing football. Hopefully she enjoys the drills and learning a little about the game. No matter what, I know she will enjoy being back out there with her friends. Our Miracle athletes will not be practicing and doing drills in hopes of winning a National Championship or the Super Bowl, but they will give their standard all-out effort, and will have a great time.
We cannot wait to see Miss Sarah, Mr. Ryan, Coach Mike, and everybody else.
