Mom says she was fired for sticking up for her special needs son

Was a high school water boy sidelined because of his disability or… to protect his safety?

The post-game victory-line brings together players, cheerleaders, and student trainers win or lose.

“They always have a traditional handshake afterwards and they do the school song,” said Larry Blancet, Keith’s step-dad.

This week, one familiar face was missing… water boy Keith Hampton.

“I’m a lion’s fan,” said Hampton.

Keith has Fragile X Syndrome, a hereditary mental retardation. It’s something that’s never slowed down his love of Lions football.

But Friday night, his mom noticed him standing to the side during the victory line. Cheryl Blancet headed to the field to find out what happened, but no one would explain why the student trainer coordinator had apparently asked Keith to sit this one out.

“We have to speak for him. He can’t speak for himself,” said Cheryl Blancet.

Cheryl, a secretary at the school, says when she was asking around, her boss, Principal Barbara Shaw approached her, saying “you’re through.”

Monday morning, Cheryl said she was fired.

Read more here: Livingston mom says she was fired for sticking up for her – KTRE.com Lufkin and Nacogdoches |.