I occasionally have special needs folks in my classes. This can mean that sometimes they don’t necessarily follow along with the choreography well and they may have some difficulty staying in sync with what we do in class. Mind you, this can and also does happen with anyone. Here’s the key: every time that I have had a special needs person in my class, whether alone or with their aid, they are having a blast and enjoying themselves.
(The gentleman you see in this picture with me was super cool. He wanted to get a picture and told me that he really loved my class. It was a bit difficult to communicate, but he went out of his way to express himself and I felt so happy and proud getting praise from him.)
So recently, there was a person who must not have realized that the individual in front of them had special needs. It should have been rather obvious by the way they were carrying themselves, but this person didn’t get it. So they kept making faces, tapping the person, and trying to shove the special needs person forward during the class.
I saw this happen once and I made eye contact with the person and shook my head. Then it happened a second time and I figured they’d realize the situation and stop. They did not seem to understand and didn’t appear like they were going to stop. I knew I would have to intervene. I really don’t like singling anyone out during class, but they left me no choice.
By the third time, I felt I needed to step in. I went over to the person and using my body I gently guided them back away from the special needs individual. I kept moving them back until I had a safe distance, then I quietly told them that this person has special needs so kindly leave them alone. I tried to be calm and discreet, but firm with my words and body language.
Then this person yelled out loud in a way that was dismissive and hurtful toward the special needs individual. I blocked them from view of the special needs person and asked them to lower their voice. I told them not to say things like that and to just leave them alone. Move to another spot if it bothers you. The person said they understood and left them alone.
I understand that maybe at first they didn’t know what was going on. I’ll give a bit of a pass on that one. But even if someone doesn’t have special needs and is simply out of sync, that doesn’t give anyone the right to treat them disrespectfully or bully them. Just move somewhere else. Once they knew what was happening, the comment they made out loud was hurtful and completely uncalled for. That behavior was unacceptable. I don’t like imposing my will on people, but I could not allow this to continue.
I did my best to be discreet and maintain a high degree of professional decorum. All things considered, I believe I handled it respectfully, but this behavior had to stop. Look, no one wants to create conflict or face consequences at work. But if you see someone doing something like that, don’t be afraid to speak up. We have to stand up for those who can’t do so for themselves. Especially if you are the instructor! Do what is right, even when it feels uncomfortable.
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