Hi kids. Let me get you up to date on the latest.

The Violent Femmes concert at Simpson College was great. I danced my little legs off to my favorite song “Blister in the Sun,” but I got out of the mosh pit before I got my eye poked out.

I must say that I am very disappointed in you.

Yes, you! I have received no gifts, no cards, no nothing commemorating this special event in all our lives — MY BIRTHDAY!

Jeez. What do I have to do?

There’s still time. The mall is open until 9:00 p.m. Do what you have to do.

Now, on to more serious subjects in the world of sports.

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Imagine that when you looked at the words you are reading right now, this is what you saw:

asldkf;alskj;alskdjf;asdflkja;s

A bunch of nonsense letters strung together. They mean nothing to you because you have a reading disorder.

Just think about going through life with a reading disability. Maybe you already have one and you can relate to what I’m writing about.

Recently, on a regular broadcast of the NBC Nightly News, a reporter did a story on a swimmer named Chad Gandan.

Chad is an Illinois 100-meter swimming champion who has a reading disorder.

He’s a Division I athlete all the way, but one thing’s holding him back from being able to compete against the top swimmers in the nation — NCAA rules.

As a competitor in the NCAA, Chad would have to meet the requirements already set for standardized tests in which he fails in the reading category.

Again, the question of whether or not rules are good comes up. It’s a normal thought, though.

A person should always question authority. And right now I’m questioning if Chad Gandan should be allowed to compete as an NCAA athlete.

Every person knows that you have to have a certain level of intelligence to attend college. Chad was accepted to the University of Minnesota because he was able to pass the level required.

But everyone also knows that if a person has a learning disability, the university makes provisions for that person.

My mom’s a special education teacher. I’ve seen it in action.

I’m all for giving everyone a chance and making the most out of what a person has, but I’m not for sacrificing what it means to graduate with a degree — whether it’s a kindergarten diploma or a bachelor of arts.

Chad has obviously proven that he is a capable individual in the sports world.

But out of the water he needs his mom to read to him. It takes him a lot longer than an average student to do his homework.

So when he goes to Minnesota he’ll still be wet behind the ears. Someone will have to help him with the new level of homework he has decided to take on, but according to the NCAA, he won’t be putting on the trunks for the Golden Gophers.

Should athletes be given harder standards?

Should Chad not be able to swim because it takes him longer to do his homework?

Should Chad receive the same degree as an average student because he got special help?

So many times I take what comes to me naturally for granted, like being able to read. It’s hard to know the answers to those questions.

Is it fair or unfair to you or to Chad? You be the judge.

I’ll go on now, like a blister in the sun.