Father Is "Stunned" After Boy Scouts Demoted His Son Because Of His Down Syndrome

Apr 12, 2019 by apost team

What happens when children who are disabled achieve some success that is quickly snatched away? The story of a young man's success to qualify for a higher ranking in the Boy Scouts of America is very telling.

Chad Blythe's son, Logan, of Payton, Utah, was all set to become an Eagle Scout, attaining the highest Boy Scout rank possible. To qualify to become an Eagle, you must have acquired 21 badges, as well as completing a volunteer, community service project.

Whatever project the scout decides to undertake must first be approved by the council.

Logan, a Downes Syndrome, 15-year-old boy with autism, chose a project involving making kits for parents with newborns diagnosed with disabilities. Logan's dad helped him plan this project. Logan was very happy when his project was approved by the local council and the state parks department.

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There were pictures taken with the council to show how elated everyone was. Logan was now on his way to getting the coveted Eagle Scout title.

Only 24 hours later, however, that council that had just approved the project sent an email to them to let Chad and Logan know that Logan's project was being suspended.

The council added that it regretted having approved the project in the first place.

It seems that the local leaders had given Logan some special dispensations for his disabilities, but the national Boy Scout Council did not go along with the local council's decision to qualify Logan to become an Eagle Scout. In fact, he was not only disqualified to earn the chance to become an Eagle Scout; he was also demoted to a Cub Scout.

Logan is very despondent and confused. Besides being disappointed not to qualify for the ranking, the demotion has made him even sadder. He refuses to touch, or even look at his Boy Scout uniform. 

Chad Blythe, Logan's father, has filed a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America, claiming that disabled children should have the chance to progress in the Scout rankings despite their disabilities.

Logan's father is hoping that the courts will make the scout organization change its rules to accommodate these children's needs to succeed. What do you think would be a fair solution?