Posted on 12/03/2001 9:33:26 AM PST by Notwithstanding
PARIS, (Zenit.org).- The French Supreme Court decided that a Down syndrome child must be indemnified for the harm his birth caused him, because his "right" not to be born was not respected.
Stallings, G., & Cook, S. (1997). Another Season: A coach's story of raising an exceptional son. New York: Broadway Books. [219 pp., ISBN 0-7679-025506, $12.00 US].
Dick Sobsey, Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
As far as I know, Johnny Stallings is the first person with Down syndrome to be awarded a Super Bowl ring, and there has to be an interesting story in that somewhere. Another Season, however, is much more than Johnny's story. It is Gene Stallings' account of his impressive career as a college and professional football coach. Stallings' coaching career was stellar enough in its own right to be a subject of considerable interest to sports fans. In spite of firings and other setbacks, he is one of a very few to coach for a Super Bowl champion as a pro and a national champion as a college coach. Another Season is also the story of Gene Stallings, the father of a son with Down syndrome. In fact, the book is mostly about Stallings in his role as father, but it would be a mistake to think that his role as coach and Johnny's own story are not also essential elements of this book.
Gene Stallings' career as coach is vital to this story for several reasons. First, coaching was one of the most important things in the elder Stallings' life. It would be impossible to understand the effects that his son had on him or his family without understanding that part of who he was. Second, Gene Stallings' story is one of transformation. His relationship with his son forever changed who he was as a person and who he was as a coach. He firmly believes that his experience as a father to Johnny was critical to making him a better coach. His realization of his son's positive influence is ironic when one considers that friends and professionals had initially advised the Stallings family to institutionalize their son, saying a child with Down syndrome would be a burden to his family and an obstacle to Stallings' coaching career.
Looking back, Gene Stallings clearly does not see his son as an obstacle that had to be overcome; he clearly sees him as an asset to his family and his father's career. This was not what he had expected when the father and mother were first told about their son's disability. Gene Stallings' initial reaction included dumping the cigars he had bought to give out in the trash and changing his plan to name his first son after himself. In spite of his initial disappointment, however, Gene Stallings quickly grew to bond with and love his son. In spite of some difficult times, that bond between father and son made all the difference.
The Stallings' family decision to keep Johnny at home rather than flee from their responsibility is not presented as an existential crisis in this book. Yet, in many ways, everything flowed from that decision. It is easy to imagine how different John Mark Stallings' life might have been if he had been sent off to Alabama's Partlow State School as a young child, as friends and experts advised. Partlow of course was to become notorious a few years later when the courts intervened (Wyatt v. Stickney, 325 F.Supp. 781, 334 F.Supp. 1341) in the face of horrifying conditions when US Federal Courts ruled that detention there violated due process since no treatment was provided in the purely custodial facility. It is harder to imagine how much worse off his family would have been without him, but this book leaves no question that it would have been a great loss to all of them.
Another Season is Johnny's story, too. Father and son accomplished a great deal together, and, to be sure, a lot of what Johnny achieved resulted in part from the assistance of his father and many others. As the book progresses, however, Johnny is increasingly independent and in control of his own life. Like any good coach, the elder Stallings takes delight in "standing on the sidelines" and seeing his son excel on his own.
This is clearly a book for fathers. In fact, it may be criticized by some for not giving enough attention to Ruth Ann Stallings, Gene's wife and Johnny's mother who obviously played a central role. She appears to have been self-sacrificing to her husband's career as well as her children, but receives only passing mention in the book. Another Season clearly acknowledges her contribution and demonstrates respect and admiration for her, but it is simply not her story; it is a story about the father and son. As such, it is a book more for fathers than mothers. It may be the ideal read for the macho male still struggling to come to grips with his softer side as a father of a child with special needs. It is not necessary to be a football fan to enjoy this book, but it does help a bit. For example, understanding the significance of the Super Bowl ring in the coach's world of football is critical to the irony of Stallings' transformation. Prior to his son's birth, his dream had been the football hero son who would follow in his footsteps. Eventually, he succeeded in letting go of that dream to accept and love a very different son for who he was. Seeing his son awarded a Super Bowl ring was a small part of his original dream restored. Johnny Stallings did not become a football hero, but he did become an important part of a championship team and a hero in his own right.
Another irony in the book comes when Gene Stallings' first grandson is born. Ironically, Coach Stallings' daughter honours her family by naming her first son John after her brother. The father who could not bear to give his own name to a son with a disability is now delighted and honoured to have his grandson named after his now precious son John.
The macho-male aspect of the book is apparent in the presence of many male role models. Even the endorsements on the book cover are mostly from male authority figures (e.g., General Colin Powell, former President George Bush), but the book is clearly about the softer side of men. It is also a good book for anyone who is interested in the journey that takes many parents of children with disabilities to a better place than they might have found themselves without that experience. While the book is clearly Stallings' story, coauthor Sally Cook has done a masterful job of making it an easy and enjoyable read.
Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit the Palace Of Reason: http://palaceofreason.com
Early intervention services, which begin shortly after birth, help children with Down syndrome develop to their full potential. Quality educational programs, along with a stimulating home environment and good medical care enable people with Down syndrome to become contributing members of their families and communities.
People with Down syndrome are highly responsive to their physical and social environment. Those who receive good medical care and are included in the activities of the community can be expected to adapt successfully – to attend school, make friends, find work, participate in decisions which affect them and make a positive contribution to society.
People with Down syndrome have the same emotions and needs as their peers and deserve the same opportunities.
Early intervention services, which begin shortly after birth, help children with Down syndrome develop to their full potential. Quality educational programs, along with a stimulating home environment and good medical care enable people with Down syndrome to become contributing members of their families and communities.
People with Down syndrome are highly responsive to their physical and social environment. Those who receive good medical care and are included in the activities of the community can be expected to adapt successfully – to attend school, make friends, find work, participate in decisions which affect them and make a positive contribution to society.
People with Down syndrome have the same emotions and needs as their peers and deserve the same opportunities.
Just when I think the left can't get anymore childish...
If every "inferior" fetus has a "right to be aborted" - which can result in punishment for parents who do not carry out the aborting - it is a de-facto mandate that every inferior fetus be aborted.
Think about it - there is no incentive to give life, only a punishment for giving life.
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