Rutgers Bus Driver Fired Controversy

Warning - Here is my first of many very opinionated posts!

So in the past week, there has been a controversy about the firing of Pastor Stan McNeil, a "beloved" bus driver at Rutgers University in NJ.

Stan McNeil claims that Rutgers only fired him because he touched a disabled girl on the head, praying for her to heal.  He has done it before and was asked not to do it again.  But in reality, people, there is more to the story which many just have skipped right over.  Even journalists skipped over it!  Which makes me even more mad but let's get to the bottom line shall we?

Here's some background if you don't know what's happening.  Stan McNeil was a popular Rutgers University bus driver who is also a Pastor and every day on the bus, McNeil always had inspirational speeches.  I never experienced these speeches personally, well because I don't go to Rutgers but that's the not reason of this post.  Many students say that always looked forward to getting on the bus because he would always lift up their spirits if they are having a bad day.

Well good for them, but what about the students who are in wheelchairs that are bouncing around on the bus because he didn't tie them down?  Because that's the REAL reason why he got fired.  Not because he was praying on a girl who was in a wheelchair, to be healed.  Yes, that may play some role since well she did complain and he was told not to do it again.  But, he wasn't tying down the chairs which is a big safety hazard!
Sharp turns = student with chair bumping their head on the side of the bus or even they end up at another part of the bus.  A short stop = the chair going harshly forward where the person could land on their front and/or banging their head.  And if the person doesn't get a seat belt put on and they don't have a seat belt on their chair (because not everyone has one!), the person could be knocked out of their chair if any of the previous things happen.

All of the above could have happened if McNeil kept on with the job because he wasn't tying down the chairs and you want to know why?  Here is a quote from a newscast NBC did on him:

"Personally I was a little concerned about the time because you're spending time putting them on the bus and getting them hooked up so you're losing time," says Stan McNeil when asked about tying down the chairs.

Like really? Did he really say that? I have been saying that since the moment I heard him say that.  Right after he did, my mom and I looked at each other and just asked at the same time, "Did he really just say that?" So, of course I was expecting many people to talk about it and do a report of what he said but it's been two days now and nothing.  Many people are still supporting him and there are already over 6,800 signatures on a change.org petition to bring him back.  You know why?  Because they think he was just fired for religious reasons, not because of the safety reasons.

Time? Like really? Time was the reason you couldn't tie someone down? I hope you all realize that it probably doesn't take more than four minutes to get a person with a wheelchair on the bus plus strapping in.  And you're losing time? What time is exactly lost? Four minutes. Wow. That's a lot of time....Not. If you notice in the quote, he does say "them" so meaning he hasn't just not tied down one person, but he has done it numerous time.

As a student with a disability, I am definitely upset.  I rode the school bus throughout all of 13 years of public school and do you think there was once where they didn't tie me down? Nope. And you know how long it took to get me on the bus plus tying me down? I'll say it again - not even more than four minutes. I don't understand how someone can say that time is why they weren't tying down a chair down.  That's like saying you're not going to take a moment to put on your seat belt.

I mean, come on people.  There were more than religious reasons for this man being fired.  But did you research all of the reasons?  Of course not.  Only NBC, that I know of, has gotten something about safety reasons.  Yes, I noticed other news reports that do mention safety reasons were for the reason but you know where in those article that information was?  At the bottom, oh and not to mention, no where in the title of the article which is normally the first thing readers see and remember.

As you can tell, I'm very passionate about people knowing the real reason because I want to make sure that this does NOT happen again and that others learn to read EVERYTHING before they make assumptions.  I know that some already know the real reason and agree what I have said in this blog post but there are still so many who still don't understand the real reason behind this.

I hope you all understand where this is coming from and that you will share this with your friends because this is a very important subject.

Here is the link to the video of where Stan McNeil says the quote above - Video to NBC newscast of Stan McNeil's Firing (It is the top video that auto plays itself)

Feel free to comment on this post what you believe (whether you agree or disagree) and please share this post! :)

Thank you for giving me your time and listening to my opinion about this matter!

Until Next Time

CGoerlich <3

CSH Lightning Wheels = My Second Family

"Family isn't always about blood. It's the people

in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who

accept you for who you are. The ones who would

do anything to see you smile & who love you

no matter what." - Unknown

For the past 14 years, I have been a part of a great sports program based out of Children's Specialized Hospital (CSH) called the Lightning Wheels.  When I was about six years old, one of the physical therapists asked my parents if I would be interested in joining the sports team for the hospital.  After we met the head coach and I raced around the halls for fun, we officially decided that I would join the team and the rest was history.

I started out only doing track & field but as time went by, I added table tennis and archery to the list of sports I do.  There was a point where I also did fencing for two years.  Being a part of this team, it has taught be how to be independent, care for others, see other places, sportsmanship, making friends, and many more.  I have build so many friendships where I consider everyone my family which is why the quote at the top is the lead quote to this post.

Getting ready for Opening Ceremonies at NJDC in Minnesota

The above picture is the recent picture of our team.  Over the years, we have had members come and go but no matter what, once you've been on the team, you are always considered as a Lightning Wheel.  The picture also proves that we are a fun, crazy team but we would never change a thing.  This past summer, we went to Rochester, Minnesota for the National Junior Disability Championships (NJDC).  We took a bus there so can you imagine over 20 hours driving was like with a crazy team like ours?  It was awesome!  I think the 20 hours brought us even closer together if that is even possible.  We watched movies, listened to music, laughed, some slept if could, played games, and anything else you can think of was done on the bus. 

We had the best bus driver anyone could ask for.  After a tight fit getting into the hotel with the bus, we all trusted him with our lives for the rest of the week.  He became an honorary member of the team and remind you, nationals was back at the beginning of July - we still talk about how much we miss him and hope we get him again next year, if we are for sure taking the bus again which we all hope we are.

Some memories from NJDC (credit to one of my best friend's)

One of the best things about going to different states every year for NJDC for a week, yes to hang out with your best friends but also meeting new people whether they are athletes or just some local people and/or volunteers.  Over the years, my friends and I have met some very interesting people that only us would ever run into..lol..It has become a tradition.  Some of those interesting people are: someone who asked to take a picture with me at an aquarium, a bunch of drunk people at different times (started with one, then four the next year, and then lost count the year after that), and others.  There were also nice people we also met along the way like the people who worked at airlines, the hotels we stayed at, softball players, and many of the volunteers.  If it wasn't for the team, I wouldn't have had the opportunity in meeting all of these people who have become some part in my life even if I never see them again. 

There are so many memories that I would love to live over again: getting pushed at my first nationals' opening ceremonies because it was a big track (lol), dirt conversation that started everything, reliving every nationals that I have gone to, meeting each person who has made an impact in my life, softball fundraisers, running into the drunks, finding Lucky Ducky, playing with Gameboy/Nintendo DS/other consoles, track meets, and other memories.  I hope and I know that the next two years which will also be my last two years will bring many more memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.  I honestly don't know where I would be or who I would be if I didn't have this team, my second family. 

Oh and you can NEVER forget the duckies!!! lol Since 2009, we have gained a mascot when one of our coaches found a rubber duck on the street of a Walk & Roll event.  Ever since then, we have collected ducks over the years.  We started out with just one, Lucky Ducky, and now we have probably more than anyone can count.  

Minnesota Ducky with our 2nd place trophy from 2013 NJDC

Well, I think that's all for now.  I know there's more the team than what I have wrote about in this post but as I continue writing posts, you will learn many more about the members and the team.  There are going to be pictures below of me doing some sports I do.  Hope you enjoy! 

Until next time

Caitlin <3