About being social workers

I had hoped I could sit back and let this one die, but as usual, I had to run
into something to make me open my mouth.

I went to dinner at my first troop tonight in Berkeley, IL, as they celebrated
their 50th anniversary. 30 boys, earned 90 MB's over the summer, 2 beadings,
all pretty decent.

But the reason I have to write is something - well, two things - that happened
before the dinner started.

First I saw the man whose son shot himself (how, why, what I don't know, but
the fact that it happened was *part* of the reason the suicide topic a year
ago ate at me. I say part because he lived). He told me some days the kid
(kid, he's 40-ish now) acts like he's four, some days like he's 40, and other
days like he was 16. The troop still sees the guy from time to time. If that
isn't social work in some form, the next part is.

For those who know about my son Chris I need say little more, for those who
don't the short version - Born, couldn't hear for 2 years, operation, hearing
back, training is terrible and he's uncontrollable and he hates crowds so it
was stupid of me to try to bring him with. While I was talking to the man
above I explained the situation with Chris and the lady standing next to him
started listening. She looked me in the eye and said, "He requires special
treatment?" I replied affirmative and she said "Well, that's all right, some
kids do."

I've never, ever had anyone besides myself react like that. I've seen more
than I need - my wife has two siblings, retarded; I've had a troop that had
more kids on Ritalin, well, they required more meds than the 3 bottles I have
to split up each day, 12 pills a day; my father was a teacher and I've seen
him have to handle all sorts of kids from genious to "troubled". My attitude
for Scouting was : Every boy can be a Scout in my Troop. And I had to fight to
allow a couple to stay over the years, one in particular I remember because he
quit a year after I stopped the committee from acting and the other because I
thought he'd get no where and last year he was at Jambo and this year he has
all his merit badges and just finished his project so all he needs is his BOR
for Eagle.

If a youth wants Scouting or Exploring, they should be given the CHANCE to
experience Scouting or Exploring. Unless they hurt someone ON PURPOSE, MORE
THAN ONCE, there is a reason the youth is there. Maybe not the reason you'd
hope for, but a reason and he/she needs your help and attention, as much as
possible.

Tom Petrik

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