tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post2298857002077549608..comments2023-10-29T08:13:44.434-04:00Comments on Micro Preemie Twins: The Story of H & E: Handicapped Child in AreaBilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10589229199716201638noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-10693545241119737302015-05-26T09:45:39.623-04:002015-05-26T09:45:39.623-04:00Saw your post and wanted to comment. Growing up we...Saw your post and wanted to comment. Growing up we had a sign that I think said "Handicapped Child" on it just down the street from my house, near a bend in the road. For years I wondered who that sign was for.... as I walked the street to visit friends with my leg braces on. See, I never saw myself as handicapped. It wasn't until I grew up and was talking to friends about the sign that I realized, that sign was for ME! It didn't impact me, but I did for sorry for that poor child (whoever she or he may be) as I went about my day. Not sure if it helped slow traffic down, and if it did, it certainly helped all of us! But just another perspective from one of those kids... the only benefit I got was the school bus changed their pick up location to my driveway. I knew that was to help me not have to walk to a stop... in my mind that was a perk!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-88571107567117733832011-10-26T15:48:22.350-04:002011-10-26T15:48:22.350-04:00Well I have to say you've given me alot to thi...Well I have to say you've given me alot to think about,The street I live on has one other blind person that lives on it 3 houses down from mine and about 15 other small children scattered throughout the street , and the cars really speed up and down the road, I feel I need to get a sign put up in the neighborhood, not only for my child but to protect the whole neighborhood,but now I'm thinking about the affect it would have on my daughter, and I know people dont really pay attention to these signs, but it does make the consequences alot stonger if you do get pulled over for speeding or whatever the reason, I really don't know what to do.Larry Johnsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-71151912023797589972009-06-07T20:31:15.941-04:002009-06-07T20:31:15.941-04:00I read the signs and slow down. I also scan the s...I read the signs and slow down. I also scan the sidewalk for a child who might run out. Just like I slow down and watch for kids when I see the "school zone" signs.<br /><br />Then again, your girls are intellegent and old enough to follow your safety rules, so I can't see how there risk exceeds the risk of any other child getting hit by a car.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-92095100547791050722009-06-06T22:40:01.198-04:002009-06-06T22:40:01.198-04:00Nice discussion.Nice discussion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-64220954433893622602009-06-05T06:49:51.233-04:002009-06-05T06:49:51.233-04:00I am a perfectly neurotypical person (well, some m...I am a perfectly neurotypical person (well, some may say), and when I was five, I ran out into a parking lot. One of my strongest memories of our local mall is my mother and grandmother jerking me back up onto the sidewalk and then subsequent "You could have been hit by a car!" lecture. <br /><br />I guess I am saying that to say no matter HOW much anyone thinks they've trained their kids, any kid can run into the street. I teach kids with autism and other cognitive/physical disabilities, and it doesn't take severe autism for a child to not sense danger. It's a huge concern of the parents of my highest functioning kids. Because they have no fear of danger. <br /><br />THAT being said - I can definitely understand not wanting the "Handicapped Child" or "Deaf Child" sign in your yard. What about just a "Children at Play" sign at the end of the street? Especially if cars park on your street and block a driver's view, I think they are excellent. I always slow for those signs. It's too, too scary not to.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09762896766377039541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-25339563833459448672009-06-03T23:06:47.725-04:002009-06-03T23:06:47.725-04:00OK we have a sign on our street, blind person in a...OK we have a sign on our street, blind person in area. We live on a very bumpy, dirt road. Neither the bumps, mud holes or the sign slows anyone down. When the kids are outside, some slow down but not all. A ball pitched across the road seems to work. <br /><br />Don't put up the sign!!<br />Kids at play across the driveway would be OK. Just my 2centsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-62685472210299188112009-06-03T21:04:42.895-04:002009-06-03T21:04:42.895-04:00"what i feel works better is those little yel..."what i feel works better is those little yellow guys (like the ones u mentioned on amazon). my neighbors put them in the middle of the street in front of their driveway - people pay attention and have to slow down to drive around them. no one has ever complained, and there is still plenty of room to get by. when the kids go in, so do the signs."<br /><br />Sorry, but that seems like a stupid and unsafe idea to me, putting anything in the road that does not belong there. Personally, my attention would be more drawn to the sign and going around it and therefore less focused on everything else...leaving the kids MORE likely to get hit.Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09434908944998104930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-58443411561714572682009-06-03T17:24:26.830-04:002009-06-03T17:24:26.830-04:00I have had a sign put up for my son who is legally...I have had a sign put up for my son who is legally blind, but he is also developmentally disabled and sometimes gets too exited and starts jumping around a lot. We do not usually play in front of our house (the busier street). I had it put up just in case, also there are a lot of other kids in the area and people have been known to speed down our street. Some have tried to get a "children at play" sign put up, but the city would not do it--that's why I thought they might be more likely to put up a sign for a blind child.<br /><br />I do slow down whenever I see a warning sign such as this, but most do not slow down for our sign. I do agree that speed bumps would help more. Since my son is not aware of the sign (or meaning of it) there is no stigma--and it does not bother me that people know that there is a handicapped child in the area.<br />CarlaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-73181699808148746292009-05-31T16:28:50.300-04:002009-05-31T16:28:50.300-04:00I think a children playing sign is a good idea as ...I think a children playing sign is a good idea as it reminds people to slow down. My parents always slow down when they see children playing signs.<br /><br />However, I agree with you that a handicapped children sign would just draw more attention to your childrens' differences and may even have gawkers distracted from driving to look for a "handicapped child" much like roadside memorials may actually cause accidents by distraction rather than warning people of the dangers of unsafe driving.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14299493731311058061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-29220158346037911462009-05-31T10:31:48.160-04:002009-05-31T10:31:48.160-04:00honestly, when the sign first gets put up, people ...honestly, when the sign first gets put up, people tend to pay attention to it b/c its new. after a week of seeing the sign, most ignore it (at least, in my experience), slowing down only if they see children playing. <br /><br />what i feel works better is those little yellow guys (like the ones u mentioned on amazon). my neighbors put them in the middle of the street in front of their driveway - people pay attention and have to slow down to drive around them. no one has ever complained, and there is still plenty of room to get by. when the kids go in, so do the signs. <br /><br />just my thoughts...<br /><br />i love that you put eden's CI around her ponytail - she looks so different without the headband - so grown up! and holland looks so spunky with her arms folded! too cute!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-58725331165362506632009-05-30T22:49:20.459-04:002009-05-30T22:49:20.459-04:00Hi Billie,
There is a "Deaf Child" sign over by ou...Hi Billie,<br />There is a "Deaf Child" sign over by our library. It definitely makes me aware and I slow down even though I am going the speed limit. <br />-Shannon in AustinShannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12502975676135226121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-9454942445470510582009-05-30T18:12:21.393-04:002009-05-30T18:12:21.393-04:00Our development was going to put a general "childr...Our development was going to put a general "children at play" sign but the city rejected the idea saying it would give the kids a false sense of safety and that drivers don't really pay attention to those signs. I agree with you-teach the kids to be cautious and safe you can't rely on the judgement of someone driving down your street. Just thought I would share my input.Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01071059020146268568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-77226285511209223782009-05-30T16:13:05.893-04:002009-05-30T16:13:05.893-04:00I guess the signs that have made sense to me at "D...I guess the signs that have made sense to me at "Deaf Person" and "Autistic Person" because as a driver I think to myself... beeping may not help if someone wanders too near the road here, I need to slow down and be cautious. I would imagine that to a person who doesn't understand autism the autism sign would not make sense because they may not understand that a person with autism might not have certain safety skills or may not respond to a horn appropriately. <br /><br />This is an interesting discussion thread, thanks for opening up the conversation about this.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05513289226118469583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-35513019620495770732009-05-30T07:50:10.969-04:002009-05-30T07:50:10.969-04:00I don't want one of those signs either, but I do w...I don't want one of those signs either, but I do worry about Noah near the street. His gait is so awkward that when he runs his "ears" tend to fall off and he has no peripheral vision. A "normal" kid could see a car coming out of the corner of their eye, but not Noah. And if his CIs were off he couldn't hear it either. <br />Fortunately we live on a nice quiet street and have a huge backyard that Noah can play in, so it hasn't really come up.<br />I do think I'm more hyper aware when I see one of those signs, but I watch out for kids in general. I just don't feel the need to advertise my child's disabilities for the world.Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03472927387632982961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-65579057123778544442009-05-30T01:58:13.010-04:002009-05-30T01:58:13.010-04:00Even as a young child when I would see signs like ...Even as a young child when I would see signs like that I thought of them as offensive to the child that they were referring to. And when I see a sign like that while driving if I don't see a child outside I don't pay special attention. I think a children playing sign would be just as effective, and not point out her differences, as she will probably have enough trouble with that later on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-38848500174929393602009-05-29T20:51:22.497-04:002009-05-29T20:51:22.497-04:00I've never heard of this before and live in US, bu...I've never heard of this before and live in US, but if I saw a sign like that I would DEFINITELY slow down. A deaf child wouldn't hear my horn, a blind child might run in front of where I'm pulling up...<br /><br />The children at play signs make me slow down a little, but for deaf and blind kids they might need the heads up because all kids are spontaneous, don't think a lot during play, and put themselves at risk a lot (at least in my neighborhood). They have sight/sound as an extra protective layer. <br /><br />As for your particular kids, I don't see the need for the sign. They are just normal kids at play.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-38398623056524305382009-05-29T11:46:07.191-04:002009-05-29T11:46:07.191-04:00OK....here is my opinion. GET THE SIGN!
I LOOK!...OK....here is my opinion. GET THE SIGN! <br /><br />I LOOK!!! If I see one, I pay closer attention and slow down.<br /><br />I feel that there are plenty of people out there that do pay attention to this. YES there are some that dont, and it only takes that one car. But you can have SEVERAL of us that do read and obey!<br /><br />Your kids deserve a sign. <br /><br />If you can get one...I'd say do it! A sign will at least stop some! Your kids are worth it to me! I've been reading about them for years and I believe they deserve the sign.<br /><br />That is just my opinion. We all have our own.Rachel Dominguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07935055134985464656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-69825461742766530152009-05-29T09:27:24.527-04:002009-05-29T09:27:24.527-04:00I have a child with Autism and 2 typically devlopi...I have a child with Autism and 2 typically devloping kids.<br /><br />When we are in the front yard, I am more fearful for the safety of my typically devloping children.<br /><br />They are faster. they can wrong longer. Lauren has hypotonia and dyspraxia. Her running is awkward and therefore slower.<br /><br />I'm also trying to blend into the neighborhood. I don't always want to be advocate for speical needs, sometimes I just want to play ball with my kids.Kristinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18302037643126411567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-35433847509306409772009-05-29T05:18:15.380-04:002009-05-29T05:18:15.380-04:00I would never place any type of sign. People shoul...I would never place any type of sign. People should drive carefully no matter who's around (children playin, adults walking, dogs...) and parents have to educate their children to be aware of cars, people... At least that's what I do. <br />xoxo<br />MarionAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-320883632474703022009-05-29T04:34:08.780-04:002009-05-29T04:34:08.780-04:00I am the one who gets distracted once I see the si...I am the one who gets distracted once I see the sign, being extra careful that I watch out for which ever child is deaf or handicap. <br /><br />I feel speed bumps slow me down a little more and make me more aware.<br /><br />I truly respect the fact that you are making it a way for your children to see beyond their individual selves and also creating a safe and secure environment for them to grow up in. I believe with the attitude and mind set that you have you will raise very confident girls.<br /><br />With or with out a sign, it does not determine who your children are, ultimately you have to make the decision on what best suites you and your family.Staceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03423035228955876472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-41162236013279262902009-05-29T00:37:34.206-04:002009-05-29T00:37:34.206-04:00I tend to believe that signs are only effective if...I tend to believe that signs are only effective if they are used sparingly. That is, if you have a sign that is always out, then people will eventually ignore it because clearly children aren't ALWAYS playing. So my advice is that if you do get a sign that you specifically put outside to indicate your children are playing, be sure to ONLY use when they are indeed playing and perhaps display it in such as way so drivers know you recently put it out. Just my two cents.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14591016025566097464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-22486609817248898392009-05-28T23:43:00.624-04:002009-05-28T23:43:00.624-04:00I live in Canada, and have never heard of such sig...I live in Canada, and have never heard of such signs or seen one. I think that having "children crossing" signs or "children at play" signs near schools and parks makes good sense. And if some kind of portable Child at Play sign at the end of your driveway helps warn drivers to be alert, then sure, why not? Although to be very effective a sign should be posted 100 feet ahead of your home, to give them time to slow down.<br />Since you ask, I don't think a sign specifically about a special-needs child is a good idea, for the reasons others have stated.Sheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10112256128757588027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-67806701877521250702009-05-28T23:40:01.720-04:002009-05-28T23:40:01.720-04:00Maybe this is a good chance to promote inclusion. ...Maybe this is a good chance to promote inclusion. Your 'Children at Play' could include a simple drawing of children, including a child using a wheelchair, at play... A good reminder about inclusion and safety :-)Flygirl1https://www.blogger.com/profile/14121237264151632674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-173063907600906232009-05-28T22:16:58.572-04:002009-05-28T22:16:58.572-04:00I wouldn't put up a sign advertising that I ha...I wouldn't put up a sign advertising that I have disabled children because I don't see any reason to point out my children's differences to the world (they don't need even MORE people gawking at them; they get enough of that when we're out in public) and in our world of pedophiles & other unsavory characters, I think that having a sign spelling out that my kids are disabled could make them more susceptible to being kidnapped or molested. Why? Because people with disabilities are considered easy prey/targets ~ they can't always run away as fast or scream for help ~ I don't want the jerks of the world seeing the sign and thinking, "Aha... found one!"<br /><br />Do I slow down when I see the signs? No. I don't drive fast anyhow, though, so that's probably the reason.<br /><br />I will confess that every time I see the "Slow: children at play" sign, I read it as "slow children at play" (as in "mentally handicapped children playing"). I do the same thing with "Stop ahead" ~ I read it as "stop! A head!" ~ so perhaps I'm just silly that way. :-)<br /><br />Interesting topic!Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10184386463890917186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915600.post-32845876664439020602009-05-28T21:24:43.551-04:002009-05-28T21:24:43.551-04:00I have a bit of an odd sign story, but one that di...I have a bit of an odd sign story, but one that did work. My extended family lives on a small West Indian island. Although the speed limit is 20 mph, there are some locals (and tourists) who are seemingly trying out for the Daytona 500. <br /><br />There is one road (yup, one road, it is called "The Road"). My Aunt's daughter had been living in Germany and came home to visit, bringing her three young children. She brought a fairly large (2' x 2') sign with her warning that there were children at play. The sign has some cartoon-ish figures of children playing. The sign is in German. No one on the island speaks German. <br /><br />Everyone (I mean everyone, even the tourists) came to a dead stop to try to read the sign. "Vorsicht-Kinder am Spiel" (or something like that).<br /><br />So if I ever move out of NYC to the suburbs and have to worry about a sign for Eliza, I am getting one in a foreign language since curiosity alone seems to make people stop their cars.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07192126503448477083noreply@blogger.com