gopherit
10-04-2006, 03:25 PM
Ever know a kid that was just an absolute handful? THere's one in every class, I think. In my dd's class, there is this one kid who is ALWAYS "in the doghouse" by mid-day of each school day. On the one hand, I feel for the kid - can't be good to get negative attention all day long. On the other hand, do I want my kid seated by him during school? No. DD has already had a few run-ins with him, and has decided she doesn't want that, either, LOL.
Well, so there I was last night at a parent's mtg, discussing things like the school parties, etc. and one mom mentioned she's headed to WDW this wkend. So the conversation turns to WDW. Another mom then asks what a trip to WDW roughly costs for a fam of 4, so we were discussing that with her, and those of us in the "Disney-know" noted what a great family time it is,yadayada, and so this mom then pipes up, "Yes, well, I wouldn't DARE use the Disney child care, not after what happened to [kid I was just talking about up above]" She then discloses (this child's parents were not at the mtg) that when the child was younger (2 or 3) their family went to WDW and while the parents were dining, a "sitter" took the kids swimming, and basically, there was a lapse in watching the child, as the child actually drowned (the person telling me claimed that was the technical term used - drowned, and later resucitated, similar to my colleague who died last week from complications after his drowning). This person told me that WDW paid for their entire trip and that they rec'd checks after the fact as well (I presume for various medical needs). They did not sue, so no legal action was entailed. Now of course, I'm getting the info 2nd-hand, but I would surmise it must have been one of those outside firms (like kids day out, right? I thought I recalled that these are not technically Disney-owned, just Disney-accessible, meaning they would provide their number to you, advertise them, etc, but those groups were not technically "Disney".) THe only true Disney-operated child care is housed in the centers like Cub's Den, Sandcastle CLub, etc and those groups don't go swimming - right? THis would have only been about 5 yrs ago.
I guess how it happened at this point is, to some degree, irrelevant. The thing that stuck with me and the point of my relating this tale is that apparently, there is a perception by the parents and the docs that this event may be contributing to the child's inability to focus, hindered social skills, etc. I guess they felt some permanent damage would always be present. I knew the kid had been held back a year, but never knew why, just figured it was difficult to keep the child on task, or maybe just a social maturity issue (which for example is why we held our DS back in pre-K). And now I find out this happened. Just goes to show you never know what history someone carries, huh. But while I have a clearer perception of the kid, I am now further confused by the parents. I'm thinking, man, wow, imagine what they must have gone through, nearly losing a child, boy I can only imagine, with my heart in my throat, how protective I would be from there on out! And yet... this is the kid who, as my dd reminds me DAILY when I buckle her in the back seat into her booster seat, rides every day up front in his car, waving as he rides past... quite often seatbeltless. "How come I can't ride up front like that?" dd will ask as she sees her classmate bouncing around in the front seat, carefree, turning around to wave, no hindrances whatsoever... Maybe they think he's invincible? :idontgeti Go figure.
Well, so there I was last night at a parent's mtg, discussing things like the school parties, etc. and one mom mentioned she's headed to WDW this wkend. So the conversation turns to WDW. Another mom then asks what a trip to WDW roughly costs for a fam of 4, so we were discussing that with her, and those of us in the "Disney-know" noted what a great family time it is,yadayada, and so this mom then pipes up, "Yes, well, I wouldn't DARE use the Disney child care, not after what happened to [kid I was just talking about up above]" She then discloses (this child's parents were not at the mtg) that when the child was younger (2 or 3) their family went to WDW and while the parents were dining, a "sitter" took the kids swimming, and basically, there was a lapse in watching the child, as the child actually drowned (the person telling me claimed that was the technical term used - drowned, and later resucitated, similar to my colleague who died last week from complications after his drowning). This person told me that WDW paid for their entire trip and that they rec'd checks after the fact as well (I presume for various medical needs). They did not sue, so no legal action was entailed. Now of course, I'm getting the info 2nd-hand, but I would surmise it must have been one of those outside firms (like kids day out, right? I thought I recalled that these are not technically Disney-owned, just Disney-accessible, meaning they would provide their number to you, advertise them, etc, but those groups were not technically "Disney".) THe only true Disney-operated child care is housed in the centers like Cub's Den, Sandcastle CLub, etc and those groups don't go swimming - right? THis would have only been about 5 yrs ago.
I guess how it happened at this point is, to some degree, irrelevant. The thing that stuck with me and the point of my relating this tale is that apparently, there is a perception by the parents and the docs that this event may be contributing to the child's inability to focus, hindered social skills, etc. I guess they felt some permanent damage would always be present. I knew the kid had been held back a year, but never knew why, just figured it was difficult to keep the child on task, or maybe just a social maturity issue (which for example is why we held our DS back in pre-K). And now I find out this happened. Just goes to show you never know what history someone carries, huh. But while I have a clearer perception of the kid, I am now further confused by the parents. I'm thinking, man, wow, imagine what they must have gone through, nearly losing a child, boy I can only imagine, with my heart in my throat, how protective I would be from there on out! And yet... this is the kid who, as my dd reminds me DAILY when I buckle her in the back seat into her booster seat, rides every day up front in his car, waving as he rides past... quite often seatbeltless. "How come I can't ride up front like that?" dd will ask as she sees her classmate bouncing around in the front seat, carefree, turning around to wave, no hindrances whatsoever... Maybe they think he's invincible? :idontgeti Go figure.