Logan Blythe, a Utah boy with down syndrome, has spent many years acquiring merit badges that help him achieve the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout. Upon submitting his application in hopes to become one, he was rejected because “Logan didn’t follow the merit badge requirements exactly as written to earn the badges.” (Harkins). Logan’s father, Chad Blythe, has sued the Boy Scouts of America Program, the National Boy of American Foundation, and the Utah National Parks Council. He states that the programs have consciously discriminated against his son and have asked for at least one dollar in damages for inflicting emotional distress. Their attorney, Ted McBride, and Blythe feel that the organizations have avoided changing their policies with kids who have special needs. In the past, the organization has changed their policies “to allow girls and LGBT youths in the…show more content… Spokeswoman Effie Delimarkos, has suggested Logan earn other badges that can be achieved by his abilities. She states that even though Logan cannot become an Eagle Scout, he still should have gained a sense of pride within their program. Chad states that the local counselors were caught between moral and ethical values versus the Boy Scouts. Because of the irony between their values, they decided to give Logan the badges, as they did not want to disclude him from their programs and belittle his abilities. Upon finding out he would not be promoted to an Eagle Scout, Logan has not been as motivated or active in any sort of scouting program. Chad Blythe states that his son will no longer put his uniform on, or even look at it. Blythe wishes the program would change their policy to let the boys earn badges to the best of the boys abilities. If such a policy is changed into their program, Logan Blythe would positively be admitted into the Eagle Scouts program.
Implications of the
