A mother has hit back at other parents who claimed her special needs daughter was given an ‘unfair advantage’ after being allowed to begin the Sports Day sack race early.
Earlier this month, the UK mother shared her dilemma on the anonymous online parenting forum Mumsnet.
The woman explained how her eight-year-old struggles with dyspraxia – which affects 10 per cent of the UK population and affects a person’s co-ordination.
The mother’s daughter be helped into her sack by teachers and came last in the race after falling over the line.
Despite this, a parent of another child complained and queried why her daughter was given a head start. The incident was then referred to the governors of the school.
A stock image of a mother with a sporty child. The Mumsnet community was angry that someone would complain that a child with special needs should be helped
In her original post, she wrote: ‘My daughter is eight and has special needs and dyspraxia.
‘For sports day every child has to take part. My child has some adjustments to fully take part so they can fully take part.
‘Even with their adjustment they still come last in every race.’
She added: ‘Someone has complained about the sack race and how my child had an unfair advantage.’
She explained how her daughter started half way along the track in their sack and had help getting in it from their teacher.
And she came last, about two minutes after every other child.
Then she wrote: ‘Someone has complained about the sack race and how my child had an unfair advantage.’
After the anonymous parent complained to the head teacher, the issue was then sent to the governors.
All of the parents agreed that it was nasty and cruel to complain about the child – and that the mother should not worry
She wrote: ‘My child struggles just to be upright and now someone is complaining.
‘My child didn’t even care about winning the race. She was just pleased to take part.’She said that the person who complained had known her child since reception.’
The community of Mumsnet supported the mother, who was asking what might happen.
One wrote: ‘Reasonable adjustments are everyone’s responsibility. It shouldn’t need approval from the governors or teaching staff to make this decision.’
Another wrote: ‘This takes me back to a child who always finished last (by someway).
‘He really tried and put so much effort in and the parents and teachers cheered him on. That’s what you do, isn’t it.’
Parents were outraged by the complained, with one write: ‘It’s a kids’ sports day, not 100m with Usain Bolt’
Another said: ‘I guess they could disqualify your child but what would be the point a we are talking about an eight year old’s sack race.’
Another wrote: ‘It’s a kids’ sports day, not 100m with Usain Bolt.’
And another wrote: ‘How nasty, I really hope the parent is told in no uncertain terms by the governors to wind their neck in.’
Others tried to shift the mood to something more positive.
One wrote: ‘I have read your post and I smiled at the description of your child in the race.
‘Massive well done. It has made me smile.’
