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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1996)
VIEWPOINTS { nitOKt&t S OPINIONS IPtfMS, ?0 ?Hf f P11 OH e^hment Disorder 'Wans boy’s aX ■ OUR OPINION: Child may sutler from a tragic tile changing disorder "M»'» iuit lilui mo*t other tt year-old boy* Ho Him hi* Msiimcnu *mi scrape# in school He ten be hyper,* Mid the boy'* grandmother recently |u*l like moat other a year-old boy* — except the! thi* smiling little Rich mond, Calif., kindergartner allegedly broke into an apartment with the help of two B-year-old boy* last week, took a sleeping t* month-old baby out of it* I Musi net. and proceeded to kick, punch and beet the infant with a stick A* the baby lie* in critical condition in a children's hospital in Oakland, Calif , the reasons for the attack only add to the bizarre nature of the incident: the 6 !'ear-old believed the beby's amiiy had harassed him and looked at him the wrong way. so he do< ided he had to kill the baby A* California corrections officials try to figure out just what to do with the boy, it appear* a convincing expla nation for the boy** action* is being overlooked. From the report* we have seen, the boy has all the tell tale sign* of a child who suf fer* from Attachment Disorder, Before Attachment Disorder is defined, we should qmckly explain what "attachment" is. Attachment, and the behaviors that go with it. is merely the seeking and maintaining of closeness to another human in an aggres sive manner In thi* context, attachment behavior is the necessary physical and psy chological interaction bet town an tnfant and it* primary caregivw — usually the mother If a child dent* not iuc ctiufully complete the stage* of the Attachment Uh Cycle (one that include* a behy having it* beak need* met) in its first tern yean of life, the child can suffer neurological damage (due to lack of stimuli) to the mid-brain When this happens, huge are** of the brain fail to develop ade quate skills for taking in information about the child's surroundings, for processing and compre hending that information and for planning appropri ate responses to that infor mation. In essence, if an infant fails to attach to its mother or some other person, the child will most likely suffer from severe biological, chemical and psychological problems Some of the information now coming out on this boy roads like a case file on a child with Attac hment Dis order. “This young man is very angry (and] he should not be released." a deputy district attorney in Marti ties. Calif,, said. At the hearing, the boy hugged his grandparents but ignored his mother. Mb's in the middle of being raised in a chaotic family setting by a some times there mother and a grandmother convicted of possessing cocaine two years ago This »• year-old is not like most others But instead of getting locked up. he should tie given a second chance at life through professional counseling and love. 7W !o x - . £JU* ft# M(* TbCtTXui flfrj Everybody get naked — it’s springtime Ahhhh springtime in hogene The mer cury should neech 70 today with a slight htw»» and a few lazy clouds hanging around ll |u»t doesn't get much better than this If you tan. try and spend the nest few minutes enjoy ing it all Slop what you're doing Whatever it is — reading, taking note*, personal hygiene — any thing Taka a break and get outside ? run up mm» h*v« « Ml t don't «r«n about your •hurt« the ground i* dry) and lake a deep breath Knellv. Sut k up m mud) oxygen m you out. end lot your mind wander through ever) thought that harm* Think about what make* this time of yoar mo damn ak» for you Make it pureonal, you OPTION owbv# it Kemamnar. you ve bmn trudging •round to boots *nd slickers through • prnvw hial sheath of rain for the last nine month* Take a moment to reflect on the sunshine that •wait* you For am. springtime is •bout regeneration Finding a newborn litter of kitten* Watching them suckle on then mother * taet «* *he lick* their ears, brushes their corn*, and guard* their safety She * w*wy of stranger* and joyouM of the rum life that has sprung from her womb That's springtime It's about the miracle of life. Going to a gro cery atom, finding a pregnant woman and rub bing bet stomach Asking her how long she’s lawn with child Has she had an ultrasound? Will it be a boy or a girl? That's springtime It's about light A trade bet been made. The cold has switched to warmth; the short days have turned to endlaasly lit nights That's springtime It's about apparel. Replacing yet another pair of sung!areas you lost during winter. Ousting off the shorts that were stored away It's about legs that have been mummified in leans and thermals Don't worry, everyone vise's appendages look aa sun deprived a* yours That's springtime It's about dresses Watching a flowing spring lime skirt peas before you. This is the kind of cotton that breathes better then wine. That's springtime It's about the sky. like a snake, it has shed a gray lever, only to reveal its beautiful blue akin oeneeth That's springtime It's about correspondence Hugging your par ants when they come to visit Telling your dad you love him because you haven't said so for a while Writing your friend a letter instead of sending e-mail. That's springtime. fit It s about dre sits Watching a flowing springtime skirt pass btforr sou. This is the kind of cotton that breathes belter than wine. That's springtime 99 It's About spontaneity. Picking a flower and putting it behind your ear Going to class and forgetting that the blossom in still there Making a i Diwtwni in front of everyone and wondaring why all aye* are staring at your head That'* springtime lt'» about nakedness Not wearing anything underneath your graduation gown, lumping into bed without boxers Streaking down thirteenth wearing only your backpack Wondering where to hang your key* Swimming in a stream that was only meant for you Off with the towel! Off with the shirt! Off with the shorts! Being proud of every finger, toe and on flee that is yours That’s springtime It's about going to the park Watching the kid* seesaw back and forth It's about walking your dog The park goars gather around to talk. Your dog aiway* seem* to bring people together Sure he poops a lot. but who earn*? That's spring lime If* about snorts Oiling your softball mitt as you prepare for intramural intensity Canting Cr tennis racquet restrung Tagging a golf ball you never have before Thai s springtime Ifs about the union of friends and laser Meet ing your buddies on the sun bathed veranda of a bar Drinking the ales and lagers that have replaced stouts and porters knowing your limit and being content to stay below it. That’s springtime Ifs about fishing listening to the rush of the stream as it deafen* the surrounding environ manl Your first cast bring* the kind erf peace that can never be described, wily experienced The water s tranquility silences the thoughts within. The voice* are calmed That’s spring Springtime is about sums*! moments. Hiking Spencer's Butte In the evening with the one you love Gening to the top end watching brilliant •hade* of red. orange, pink and scarlet internum gle Staring at the colored light as it dances •croes her face. Giving passionate thanks that •very day is e day spent with her That's springtime ke«h Cunningham, a senior mafonng in English. is a columnist for the Emerald E mail ksl thethorwgan uarsgon trdu