tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648323027563656557.post7881837929398502297..comments2024-03-11T11:53:06.395+00:00Comments on Downs Side Up: Open Letter to the Girl Guide Association Downs Side Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12806066168756340802noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648323027563656557.post-52726927098277797362013-01-16T21:29:10.718+00:002013-01-16T21:29:10.718+00:00Thank you Debbie. I loved Guides as a girl and my ...Thank you Debbie. I loved Guides as a girl and my neice now adores Scouts, both have such a lot to offer. I understand the family in question are now discussing possibilities and yes, I will consider sending both daughter when they are old enough (time and location allowing).Downs Side Uphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12806066168756340802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648323027563656557.post-37606448617036819352013-01-16T21:27:32.415+00:002013-01-16T21:27:32.415+00:00Thank you Jen. High praise from you indeed. I thin...Thank you Jen. High praise from you indeed. I think it was an isolated incident and has been dealt with admirably. Fingers crossed anyway.Downs Side Uphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12806066168756340802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648323027563656557.post-68641759477185166402013-01-16T21:26:13.646+00:002013-01-16T21:26:13.646+00:00Thank you. Guides and Scout movements are wonderfu...Thank you. Guides and Scout movements are wonderful and I am sure this was just an isolated incident which has been nipped in the bud.Downs Side Uphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12806066168756340802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648323027563656557.post-81942619890869088342013-01-16T18:52:54.124+00:002013-01-16T18:52:54.124+00:00I am a rainbow leader, brownies leader and mum to ...I am a rainbow leader, brownies leader and mum to a wonderful 14 year old boy with down syndrome. As a leader we have successfully included a number of girls with various disabilities and adapted our program to ensure that everybody is equally included. The key to our success was ensuring that we had a leader available to offer assistance if required. My son with our support attended both beavers and cubs and thoroughly enjoyed it. Scouts however was too late and we did not feel he would enjoy the activities. I do hope you are successful as the guide association has lots to offer all girls. Good luck x debbienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648323027563656557.post-11778028504833301452013-01-16T14:29:30.675+00:002013-01-16T14:29:30.675+00:00I'm hoping that this particular group is a rar...I'm hoping that this particular group is a rarity and that GG UK has not gone completely "Mean Girls" (as it sounds like NO ONE would be welcome in that little clique). I'm heartened by the response you have gotten so far. Well done as always, Hayley. xoxPsychojenichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02936930614210195529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648323027563656557.post-43344657694104228022013-01-16T13:46:10.634+00:002013-01-16T13:46:10.634+00:00Hayley,
I am impressed by your calm and intellig...Hayley, <br /><br />I am impressed by your calm and intelligent response. Your point about inclusion being a two-way street gave me goosebumps. <br /><br />Girl guiding can be a wonderful community. For me it brought out skills, confidence and friendships outside the school environment which I was very grateful for.<br /><br />ClareAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13017209708545036167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648323027563656557.post-55481909611016372582013-01-16T12:00:57.755+00:002013-01-16T12:00:57.755+00:00Jenny, thank you for your reply. I am sure most le...Jenny, thank you for your reply. I am sure most leaders are exemplary and this was a simple case of lack of training. The girl had autism as it happened. Girl guiding has made a satisfactory reply.<br />I wish we could be part of your troop :))Downs Side Uphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12806066168756340802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648323027563656557.post-2113830209097394912013-01-16T11:44:07.456+00:002013-01-16T11:44:07.456+00:00As a former Brown Owl and current Tawny Owl I am s...As a former Brown Owl and current Tawny Owl I am so sorry that this girl has received such a negative treatment from a member of Girl Guiding. As volunteers for Girl Guiding we are trained to a certain level and as our experience grows, what we can offer to the girls does as well. There is a network of support provided for adults from an even more dedicated network of volunteers who often run their own units as well as advising on all issues - disabilities and inclusivity being one of them. <br /><br />I've been a leader for nearly 20 years and worked with a number of girls with a variety of difficulties, be they physical, emotional, classifiable or not and have always tried to make everything we do as inclusive as possible. It's not easy but I personally believe that it's an integral part of Guiding - and I know that there are many many other leaders doing the same. Jennyhttp://cheetahsinmyshoes.comnoreply@blogger.com