“What happened with Francisco should not be repeated. No one has the slightest idea of what parents may have unleashed on us when, with tears in their eyes, they whispered in our ears: nobody loves me, me”. Thus ends the letter from Paola, mother of an 8-year-old boy with ADHD type combined with attention deficit and hyperactivity (which is why it is a bearer of Law 104/92 ed). Excluded, eliminated, cornered by a group of explorers of Rome (room meadows) who first received it and then “returned it to sender” as if it were a “dangerous package” and too complicated to handle. The finger points to the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Christ the King, in Via Podgora 8. To whom should be the house of all. Especially the most fragile.
The first year with the scouts AGESCI Roma8
“Francesco, after a natural initial uncertainty, was quite enthusiastic about taking care of the group of children, to the infinite joy of me and their father,” says Paola. «In the first meeting, together with the payment of the annual fee, my husband and I gave the group leaders the certifications that accredited our son’s difficulties. Our satisfaction is easy to imagine when, last summer, he managed to carry out his first 7-day camp away from his family. For him it was a unique experience. He kept talking about his discoveries, the games and most importantly, the interaction with other classmates.. Among the reference figures, Francesco felt in perfect harmony with akhela. An assistant with a kind and patient treatment, who soon became his reference point ». All good, until the start of the second year marked in Francesco a regression from the point of view of the state of mind, but above all of the serenity achieved.
Child abused by teacher in kindergarten. “Chased, slapped and flipped”: teacher suspended for 4 months
The departure of the group
In a short time, now almost a month, the staff has been changed. The previous collaborator was replaced by another boy who, despite having been informed of Francesco’s problems, did not understand the type of approach that pathology requires. «After each meeting that took place on Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. – my mother continues – I was quickly overwhelmed by complaints about the disturbance that the child caused with his concern, as well as the way of expressing himself, according to them, “not adequate”. I felt unequivocally that whatever happened, Francesco was the scapegoat.». Then, two weeks ago, a cold shower. Frosty, for someone like Paola, who is already alone having to face all the difficulties of the case, with a state that often does not help. «Out of the blue, the leader of the group informed me that the boy would no longer be part of the “cubs” since they could not contain it, nor did they feel like following it any longer. It was a low blow. Mainly because of Francesco, who would have had to give up games, friends, experiences away from home. But also for us parents who, upon hearing the news, read disappointment and great disgust in their eyes”.
Paola’s complaint and the psychological damage experienced by Francesco
be affected by ADHD It does not mean having a low IQ, far from it. Each feeling that manifests itself after an event is experienced by these children in a totalizing way: sadness turns into depression, joy into euphoria, pain into devastation. Therefore, the damage caused to an 8-year-old child cannot and should not go unnoticed. “We are reasonably aware that this behavior may lead those with little knowledge of the disease to fear for the safety of their children. However, we are sure that proper information can help manage these less fortunate children than others, without betraying their expectations. These creatures are not to blame or responsible for their behavior and the wound that is renewed every time it is removed only increases their frustration and inadequacy. If you do not have the tools to accommodate a child with certain difficulties – concludes Paula – must be admitted with sincerity and loyalty. Even if it means waiving the annual fee. There is no excuse, there is no extenuation. Especially when solidarity, empathy and inclusion should be keywords in stories like this. Francesco is unique in his own way, but this is not an isolated case. There are thousands, thousands of children like him who suffer terribly from this treatment.. For a society like ours, which in 2023 unfortunately is still unable to understand and manage certain situations. But then there are the mothers, like Paolawho hopefully will never stop fighting for injustices like this.
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