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Couple Cancels Trick-Or-Treating For Everyone After One Entitled Mom Demanded Special Treatment
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Couple Cancels Trick-Or-Treating For Everyone After One Entitled Mom Demanded Special Treatment

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Halloween is arguably one of the most fun holidays around, particularly for kids who get to enjoy trick-or-treating and endless candy. But for some, the night isn’t as carefree as it is for others.

Children with special needs can find Halloween a bit more difficult. So one mom, hoping to make things easier for her disabled son, asked her neighbor to accommodate him with a different treat. But the neighbor refused, sparking a heated argument that has yet to cool down. Was the fight really worth it? Read the full story below.

More info: Reddit

One woman, hoping to make Halloween easier for her disabled son, asked her neighbor to give him a different treat

Image credits: Yaroslav Shuraev / Pexels (not the actual photo)

But the neighbor refused, and a heated argument followed

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Image credits: Image by Freepik (not the actual photo)

Image credits: Ok-Investigator9891

Halloween is different with a disability

Many of us can’t imagine October without embracing the spooky fun—whether it’s hosting a Halloween party, having a horror-movie marathon, or carving some wicked pumpkins. And though as adults, we might not trick-or-treat anymore, it’s still a formative experience for many kids.

But the excitement of Halloween—filled with bright lights, loud noises, and crowded streets—can be more challenging for people with disabilities or mental health issues. For example, those on the autism spectrum might struggle with sensory overload from loud sounds and flashing decorations, while people with physical disabilities may have difficulty accessing homes.

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Then, there’s the issue of treats, which was brought up in the Reddit story. Some children might not be able to enjoy them due to allergies, and others could be restricted by food-related conditions like diabetes. In addition, treats can occasionally do more harm than good. Wheelchair user Tai Young, in a 2019 article for CBS Kids News, shared that he sometimes received extra candy due to his disability, but it didn’t always sit well with him.

Image credits: Image by freepik (not the actual photo)

“I think I got more candy because people felt bad and believe those with disabilities are struggling and want to help, but that’s not necessarily the case,” he said. “In TV and film, it’s always a trope. The person with a disability is always the one being saved; they’re never the one’s doing the saving. Giving extra candy sort of just reinforces that, so we need to change the way people think.”

For Tai, the biggest hurdle wasn’t the candy itself, but making it to the front door. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a house besides my own that was accessible, so I’d always wait by the curb while my friend got the candy or the people would walk down to give me the candy,” shared Tai. “It wasn’t like Halloween was ruined, but I definitely missed out on saying ‘Trick or treat’ and seeing people’s decorations.”

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In some cases, poor lighting can complicate Halloween for those with vision impairments. Children who are hard of hearing might also struggle to understand you if you’re wearing a mask. With so much to consider in making the holiday welcoming for everyone, the Developmental Disabilities Association offers a few tips to make it more inclusive:

  1. Make your area more accessible by ensuring good lighting and handing out candy in spots that are easy to reach. If you have a high porch, consider distributing treats on your lawn or driveway.
  2. Have a few non-food treats or alternative snacks on hand for those with allergies or oral motor challenges.
  3. Avoid wearing costumes that completely cover your face, as being able to see facial cues can help those who have trouble hearing.

Above all, the best thing anyone can be on Halloween is empathetic. Being unkind is far worse than any fright.

Many commenters supported the neighbor, saying they weren’t obligated to make any special accommodations

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Others, however, felt it wouldn’t have taken much to do something nice for just one child

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Oleksandra Kyryliuk

Oleksandra Kyryliuk

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Kyiv-born, Vilnius-dwelling writer with a suitcase full of curiosity. My Master's in International Communication fuels my love for exploring different stories. Whether I'm putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), you might catch me out and about with my film camera, cycling around, or on a quest for the perfect coffee spot. Occasionally seen trying to find inner peace on the yoga mat.

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Oleksandra Kyryliuk

Oleksandra Kyryliuk

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Kyiv-born, Vilnius-dwelling writer with a suitcase full of curiosity. My Master's in International Communication fuels my love for exploring different stories. Whether I'm putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), you might catch me out and about with my film camera, cycling around, or on a quest for the perfect coffee spot. Occasionally seen trying to find inner peace on the yoga mat.

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

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I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

Read less »

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Author, BoredPanda staff

I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

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StarCrossedFriday
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As usual, the YTA comments are so bizarre. Kids being kids, if one person gets something different from the rest they’ll all be like ‘hey, what about me? I prefer popcorn, where’s my popcorn?’. What’s OP supposed to do, do extensive research into every kid that could come round and have their favourite prepared? The insinuation that they were ’clearly only doing it to feel good about themselves’ and thinking ‘f**k that disabled kid’ is just an astronomical leap. Madness.

Eroe Infinito
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Indeed they are. It's almost as if they themselves were personally harmed in some way by the OP. So odd lol

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TribbleThinking
Community Member
3 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's wrong with that mother? If the child's disability is such that he/she *has* to receive acceptable treats, then why doesn't she take responsibility, buy a single bag of AcceptableTreats, go round to the houses she wants to "correct" and give them a handful to dish out to the child? Sheesh, lady, get a grip.

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StarCrossedFriday
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As usual, the YTA comments are so bizarre. Kids being kids, if one person gets something different from the rest they’ll all be like ‘hey, what about me? I prefer popcorn, where’s my popcorn?’. What’s OP supposed to do, do extensive research into every kid that could come round and have their favourite prepared? The insinuation that they were ’clearly only doing it to feel good about themselves’ and thinking ‘f**k that disabled kid’ is just an astronomical leap. Madness.

Eroe Infinito
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Indeed they are. It's almost as if they themselves were personally harmed in some way by the OP. So odd lol

Load More Replies...
TribbleThinking
Community Member
3 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's wrong with that mother? If the child's disability is such that he/she *has* to receive acceptable treats, then why doesn't she take responsibility, buy a single bag of AcceptableTreats, go round to the houses she wants to "correct" and give them a handful to dish out to the child? Sheesh, lady, get a grip.

Load More Comments
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