I’m really really torn over this! I get the reasoning behind it. Totally understand. It’s great for the environment and I’m glad to see changes being made to protect our Earth…it’s about time…

BUUUTTTT…

This is awful for Grant (along with many others with disabilities) if everywhere follows suit. You see, as you know Grant is disabled! He cannot drink from a regular cup like the majority of the population. He is working on it but he is no where near ready to take on that task. He has worked his butt off and still continues to on drinking from a plastic straw.

(please refer to this article on Buzzfeed about the new Starbuck’s cups)

“So why can’t you just bring his own straws with him?”

Well here’s the thing…being a special needs parent requires a lot. I’m not talking about all the physical and mental stuff…I’m talking about all the extra baggage that has to be packed for just a simple outing like eating. So while trying to remember bibs, a fork and spoon (because he can’t eat off of plastic ones because he breaks them), wipes, and making sure we have pull-ups and a change of clothes just in case. Add to that everything we need for our two year old and that’s a lot of stuff. So what happens when I accidentally forget to pack a cup because now places don’t offer straws. Or what happens when I don’t pack the bendy straws (which by the way if I still continue to use them doesn’t that defeat the purpose?). I will tell you what happens…he doesn’t get a drink…and that is just not right!

No I know there are other alternatives to plastic straws that I could use but let me explain why they aren’t an option.

Grant cannot use stainless steel straws. When he has something hard that goes in his mouth he bites down hard. It seems like the harder the object is the harder he bites.  So I’d prefer to for him to keep his awkward looking permanent teeth that are coming in :).

But there are paper straws…those aren’t hard. You’re right…there are paper straws. But imagine this…you know when you suck and suck on a sucker and the paper stick starts coming off in your mouth? Yeah that’s what would happen if Grant used a paper straw. Instead of getting a good drink of his yummy chocolate milk he would probably gag when instead a chunk of his paper straw comes off in his mouth.

Last is the silicone straw…it’s a great fix…not hard for him to break his teeth on and not paper for him to get chunks in his mouth. The problem? He can chew them off! Yep that’s right. I don’t really want him swallowing chunks of silicone!

With plastic straws he can drink out of them really good. Like I said not perfect but he’s getting the hang of it. Usually all I have to do his hold his lips together on the straw for a sec to get him started and he goes to town. And again…if need be…yes I can pack straws to take with us…but what if I forget? Again that makes life not fair for Grant.

Moral of the story: Well I think honestly the moral of the story is that once again the special needs community is no considered and not as important as saving the earth and animals in the sea. Don’t get me wrong I love see life and the animals in it but I think my son matters more!

Have a blessed day!