Injustice

He was excited.  He hadn't been swimming in weeks.  His mom, a nursing student and single, was pretty busy with homework, clinicals, and caring for him.  Going to the pool was a treat.

A couple of moms sat near the pool, while their kids played.  Both were preoccupied.  Maybe they'd had a difficult week too.  Absorbed in their own little worlds, neither looked up as the children encircled the boy.  They began laughing and splashing with all of their might.

The boy couldn't fight back.  He couldn't turn or swim away.  He couldn't yell or call for help.  He gasped for air, unsure of how to make it stop. Engrossed in her Twilight book, the one mom didn't even look up when the boy's mom yelled.  The other glanced briefly in the kids direction, but couldn't be distracted from the game, flashing and beeping on her phone. 

What makes kids think it is okay to bully the one boy with disabilities?  The only one who can't stand up for himself?

The boy longed for someone to play with him.  He was desperate for a friend.  He didn't understand that the kids didn't like him.  He tried to join their game of water tag.  Peering over to see if the boy's mom was watching, one of the kids turned his back to her, as he whispered taunts, teasing the boy for not being able to speak.

When I heard this story, I was angry.  Where is the tolerance for those who are different???
How can these mothers allow such injustice?   Ethan did not choose to be disabled.  This isn't a lifestyle choice.  He was born this way.  Parents who are too busy to take the time to teach their children right from wrong have no business having children.