My son rides the “short bus” to and from school everyday. Each and every child on that short bus didn’t ask to be on it. I bet a lot of parents with children on the short bus wish there was never a need for a short bus.
What that short bus does provide is an opportunity for children such as my son to go to school everyday, safely. It gives them a chance to learn and grow and participate in the world just like all the other children. What that provides to children who ride the “long bus” is opportunity to learn tolerance, exceptance, respect and dignity.
A short bus should never be a vehicle for intolerance and ridicule. It’s not an opportunity to laugh and snicker and make yourself feel better about yourself by belittling others.
So the next time someone finds it funny to tell you that you ride the short bus or that you’re a retard, stop and think about those children who are on that short bus and need that short bus, whose lives are enriched by traveling on that short bus each day. Take the opportunity to educate that person about what life really means when you ride the short bus. It takes more strength, determination and will to get on that short bus, than it will ever take to board a long bus.
If you would like to discuss further what it means to ride the short bus, I would be happy to discuss that with you. If you would like to discuss what it means to be developmentally delayed (retarded is so outdated) I would also be happy to discuss that with you.
