School punishes blind child by replacing his cane with a pool noodle

KANSAS CITY, MO - Parents are outraged after they say an elementary school punished their blind child by replacing his cane with a pool noodle.

Dakota Nafzinger attends Gracemor Elementary School in Kansas City. The 8-year-old was born with Bilateral Anopthalmia, meaning he doesn't have eyes.

School District Spokeswoman Michelle Cronk tells FOX 4 in Kansas City that Dakota hit somebody with his cane on while riding the bus. She says they took away his cane and gave him a pool noodle because he needed something to hold. Cronk said Dakota fidgets without his cane.

Dakota's father, Donald Nafzinger, said his son lifts his cane sometimes and the bus driver thought he was using it violently.

"They said they were going to give me this for the next two weeks," Dakota said.

Dakota's family claims the cane was taken as a way of "humiliating" him for misbehaving.

"All around, he's a good little guy, and he shouldn't be treated the way he's being treated," Donald Nafzinger said.

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