The Laughing Man
April 8th 2003, 05:48 PM
Video Records Lethal Attack - Teens Charged After Man's Death (http://www.ctnow.com/news/local/hc-beating0407.artapr07,0,3902346.story?coll=hc-headlines-local)
What began as several teenagers tormenting a mentally retarded man in the lobby of his Hartford apartment building Saturday afternoon escalated into an attack that left him dead, according to two men who viewed a videotape of the incident.
One teen flung a full bottle of soda against Ricky Whistnant's head so hard the 39-year-old man fell over sideways, hitting the other side of his head against a wall as he collapsed, said the men who watched the surveillance camera videotape.
The teens then surrounded Whistnant, kicking him and opening more soda bottles to pour over his motionless body, according to Oscar Negron, superintendent of the building, and his brother, Elliott, the assistant manager.
Other tenants entering the lobby called 911, and paramedics arrived to try to revive Whistnant. He was pronounced dead soon afterward at Hartford Hospital.
I work with developmentally disabled (aka "mentally retarded") adults and this story just saddens and physically sickens me. No one deserves to be attacked and killed like that - least of all the developmentally disabled. It's unfortunate that a lot of people still stigmatize people with d.d. Often, they are seen as "diseased" or something. People avoid them or cringe away from them. They cross the street if they see a person with d.d. coming towards them. Worse yet, some taunt, ridicule or - like this story - assault these people.
Please, if you have not done so already, open both your mind and - most importantly - your heart to these people. And they are people, just like you or me. They enjoy the same things we enjoy: reading, watching TV, listening to music, going to the movies, playing games and sports, talking to others, meeting new people, spending time with their family and friends, and interacting with the community. They aren't going to hurt or "infect" you, so don't be afraid to approach them. If they say "hi" to you, don't ignore them. Say "hi" back and smile - it'll make their day. If they talk to you, listen to them as you would any other person. Take an interest in what they are saying since they think it's important enough to share with you. Don't pity them. Don't think any less of them. Care about them. Care for them. They are deserving of the same dignity and respect you expect for yourself. You could even go as far as helping out with things like Special Olympics. If you have kids, teach them to respect people with d.d. and to treat them with kindness.
What began as several teenagers tormenting a mentally retarded man in the lobby of his Hartford apartment building Saturday afternoon escalated into an attack that left him dead, according to two men who viewed a videotape of the incident.
One teen flung a full bottle of soda against Ricky Whistnant's head so hard the 39-year-old man fell over sideways, hitting the other side of his head against a wall as he collapsed, said the men who watched the surveillance camera videotape.
The teens then surrounded Whistnant, kicking him and opening more soda bottles to pour over his motionless body, according to Oscar Negron, superintendent of the building, and his brother, Elliott, the assistant manager.
Other tenants entering the lobby called 911, and paramedics arrived to try to revive Whistnant. He was pronounced dead soon afterward at Hartford Hospital.
I work with developmentally disabled (aka "mentally retarded") adults and this story just saddens and physically sickens me. No one deserves to be attacked and killed like that - least of all the developmentally disabled. It's unfortunate that a lot of people still stigmatize people with d.d. Often, they are seen as "diseased" or something. People avoid them or cringe away from them. They cross the street if they see a person with d.d. coming towards them. Worse yet, some taunt, ridicule or - like this story - assault these people.
Please, if you have not done so already, open both your mind and - most importantly - your heart to these people. And they are people, just like you or me. They enjoy the same things we enjoy: reading, watching TV, listening to music, going to the movies, playing games and sports, talking to others, meeting new people, spending time with their family and friends, and interacting with the community. They aren't going to hurt or "infect" you, so don't be afraid to approach them. If they say "hi" to you, don't ignore them. Say "hi" back and smile - it'll make their day. If they talk to you, listen to them as you would any other person. Take an interest in what they are saying since they think it's important enough to share with you. Don't pity them. Don't think any less of them. Care about them. Care for them. They are deserving of the same dignity and respect you expect for yourself. You could even go as far as helping out with things like Special Olympics. If you have kids, teach them to respect people with d.d. and to treat them with kindness.