'American way' is not the only way

A short while ago Sholeh Patrick wrote a very insightful and moving piece on the subject of humanity's observance and perception of traditional cultural values. In light of this touchy topic I wish to address our surrounding community, the policing authorities herein and perhaps readers abroad.

Societies teach and learn through systems of intelligent thought and practical guidance. Some people view various cultural traditions as absolutely unacceptable; others find those same values to be honorable, and thus maintain respectful albeit differing opinions; while others pay little attention since it doesn't concern them or reflect upon them. All cultures of the world vary greatly when determining family values and the learned traits of human expression. Accepting these values and traditions is a stumbling block for many.

In our 'Americanized' society trumpeters blare the rights of freedom and morality while single-mindedly shunning the validity of racial and proprietary differences simply because of generational ignorance and pure lack of understanding. Multi-cultural standards and methodologies are often twisted and construed to fit the ideologies of the closed minds of intolerance as they scream aloud of these insufferable injustices with nary a thought to ever asking, "Why?"

A few years ago the Cd'A Press began its open forum message board. One day, during this same time frame, it was brought to my attention that a topic of discussion was centered on my son who, at the time, was approximately 13 years old. My son is a person with a disability and it's important to note that every society around the world has citizens with disabilities.

An incident surrounding my son, his therapist and a young lady working at a kiosk at a local mall became a heated debate over a comment the young lady made that persons with disabilities like my son "... shouldn't be allowed in public ..." This statement incited a quarrel with many people on the message board platform. My involvement in this particular thread was brief and concise when I posted an open invitation to any and all that apparently know best to please come to our home and show our family how it's done. Oddly enough the subject quickly died and not one person offered to come to our home and share with us their knowledgeable insights to perfect parenting and behavioral therapy.

On Aug. 31, 2010, my son was accompanied by his college educated, trained and capable therapist in public. His summary behavior is an ongoing subject and an enormous part of his therapies and for that we are a grateful family to have awesome people to aid us in these pursuits. Unfortunately on this day my son was acting in an inappropriate manner while out in public. During this brief fugue his therapist was applying to my son the necessary and prescribed physiatrics in an effort to regain his calm composure and cognitive compliance. To witness these efforts could indeed be deemed as physical when coupled with the fact that my son is a very big and amazingly strong, spirited young man. A person with little or no experience with these designs could be compelled to inform authorities, as was the case that day.

My family and I have been detained at two U.S. airports on account of these same suspicions and falsely accused of abuse, assault and malicious public disturbance. Needless to say these instances had zero merit as we were greeted with insidious indifference to our situation and eventually allowed to continue on our way.

Ironically, while traveling to other countries we have always been met with immediate offers of assistance with wheelchairs, escorts and warm courtesies by helpful staff, public servants and citizens who took the time and courage to simply ask if help was required. Alternately, after numerous experiences traveling within the U.S. borders we've tried in vain to make others aware of our disposition only to be ignored and looked down upon as classless and even potentially contagious. Sadly I find myself in the awkward position of assuring you, dear readers, the 'American way' is not the only way.

Reflecting on the circumstances of Aug. 31, the authorities responding to the 911 call at Shopko were hugely misinformed of the situation and became incensed when my son's therapist informed them of the laws surrounding people with disabilities and therefore my son's personal information is guarded under health information practices (HIPAA) and as such should not be deemed, "... being belligerent ..." but merely a staff person adhering to protocol. Pounding one's chest, brandishing a badge and making idle threats will never change any laws under any circumstances. Understandably, if everyone was simply doing their job by following procedure then the situation would have gone an entirely different direction and the outcome might have saved everyone involved a great deal of time and frustration.

Sensitivity is a human emotion and reaction is the typical response. Ignorance, apathy and disdain towards things we know absolutely nothing about has become commonplace in American society. We fear what we don't understand simply because we're afraid to admit our faults. Determining our weaknesses is how we better ourselves, but admitting weakness is considered a frailty in itself. In this particular case the 911 caller at the Shopko and the responding authorities both exercised their ignorance and reacted with immediate disdain while apathetically failing to fully understand the situation. It's become painfully obvious that as Americans we have become overly sensitized to our perceptions and react without taking the time to stop and familiarize ourselves with our observations.

A gesture of goodwill and the courage to offer aid to a fellow human being isn't a difficult undertaking, but yet we take for granted our abilities, demand a price for our efforts and seek instant justification in our beliefs. We've grown into an opinionated culture so sure in our sovereignty and yet we lack the empathy of our forefathers' constitutions. From their ashes we've unlearned why we fled the tyrannies of our past only to come full circle and cast doubt in the eyes of our children.

I wish to express my gratitude toward the individual(s) responsible for enabling a new behavioral issue with my son. Since he adores policing entities and has an older sister who is a firefighter, he now thinks that misbehaving in public will reward him with a live-action scene from the show COPS ... well done ... thank you.

Troy Evans is a Hayden resident.