Johnson-Ridgway: a boy’s dreams shattered

By Nichelle Johnson-Ridgway

My name is Nichelle Johnson-Ridgway. I am the mother of Eric Johnson, a 14-year-old-boy who was diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss since the age of four. 

This hearing impairment has an unknown etiology or cause; however, as with any other disability, Eric is able to hear at a somewhat normal level with the use of bilateral hearing aids and his teachers using an FM System in class. 

We have stressed to Eric that although he has a disability, he has the ability to do as anyone else. Eric struggled in elementary school but found himself in middle school. He is an avid reader and has maintained his honor roll standing since entering middle school. 

Eric has been very athletic since about age four. He has played T-ball, baseball, flag football, contact football, but his passion is basketball. Without anydifficulty Eric has participated in these organized sports in our community at the Parks and Recreation level, as well as playing consistently for his middle school since sixth grade. Eric is now in the eighth grade, anxiously awaiting promotion and looking forward to competing next year at the high school level, continuing on to play at a collegiate level with dreams of playing in the NBA. 

However, Eric's world was shaken on May 2 when he stepped on the court to warm up for a basketball game at Maricopa Wells Middle School. For the first time in his life, Eric was told that he had to removehis hearing aids before they would allow him to play. Eric politely explained to the officials (later identified as Tim Wickert and head official Steve Ecker) that he utilizes the devices to hear and has been playing in his aids since he has been playing sports. 

The conversation escalated to the bench where his coach/step dad was confronted with the issue, the two officials were very rude and stated per AIA rules he could not play with hearing aids as it is a safety issue. 

I approached the bench and asked for their names, and they refused to provide the coach or myself with their names. The coach asked the scorers table if the officials signed the official time keepers/score log and was told “no.”  I asked the official to provide me with something in writing clearly stating that a child could not play in hearing aids, glasses etc. ( which both fall under the umbrella of assisted device aids). I was not provided with that information.

I was then asked if there was a waiver on file releasing the school or the AIA of liability. Liability of what? Denying and discriminating against a child who has a disability? 

This was one of the saddest days of my life because my child was embarrassed in front of his peers, humiliated and made to feel different. After intense discussion he was allowed to play. I returned to my seat, but the damage had been done. Returning to my seat, still upset, the first half of the game came to a close, only for the officials to loudly continue to discuss my son’s disability at center court for spectators to hear, while violating his HIPPA rights (as this law does not just pertain to medical information; it pertains to any profession that has access to delicate personal information), to laugh and joke at how they should be the innovators of designing a device to protect hearing aids as this would be their cash cow. 

Fighting back tears of anger while listening to these officials representing the AIA, discussing how they could become rich, profiting from the disability of my son and others. The question is: "How does the AIA represent fairness, good sportsmanship and equality, when there are blatant violations of the American Disabilities Act within our school sports association? I am sure there have been other incidents; however, when my son was diagnosed at age four, I vowed to be his personal advocate. During his growth I stressed to him that the sky is the limit; as long as he dreamed it, he could achieve it, but on May 2 his future plans of playing in high school, college and a dream of the NBA have been questioned!

This letter was written with the intent that the voice of so many with disabilities and challenges will be lifted up and heard. I look forward to hearing from anyone who is willing to help make a difference.
 
Nichelle Johnson-Ridgway (520-568-5991)
 

Response from Eric’s teacher: 
I am Eric's teacher of the hearing impaired at Maricopa.  I have never heard of this issue before in my 16 years of experience. In reality, for Eric, NOT utilizing his hearing aids would be a safety factor. Not only is it vital for Eric to be able to hear what is going on,this issue is definitely discriminatory in my opinion. 

I wish the Johnson family all the best in getting this matter resolved so that Eric is able to pursue his dreams on and off the court or other athletic playing field. Eric is an excellent student and is a responsible person that sets a positive example for those around him. He has not let his hearing impairment curtail any part of his life, and I, for one, want that to continue!

Sincerely,
Jeanne Lambert, Teacher of the Hearing Impaired