A couple of weeks ago I was in Target and I needed to walk past a mom and son (he was about 5 years old). I said, "excuse me" and they moved over. Then I heard the boy say..
"She has a funny voice"...(this is often how children refer to me when they know I am different they say funny).
Now it is not what the little boy said that bugged me. It was what the mom responded with
"Don't say that"
Boy responded: "Why?"
Mom: "Because it is not nice to say"
You may be thinking well what is wrong with the mother's response? Let me tell you.
How are children supposed to learn how to be around and treat others with disabilities with love if they are taught to ignore them and not learn from them. You see that mom indirectly just taught that boy that it is inappropriate to ask questions about people who are different from them. The boy just gave a natural curious statement and instead of learning why it is that I talk funny he learned nothing but do not ask questions.
The mom should have responded with the fact that sometimes people are born different and may be born with muscles that do not work as well as you. Your tongue is a muscle and some people have a weak tongue muscle, which makes them talk "funny" or different from what you are used to.
It is so unbearably common for people to avoid asking questions about disabled individuals and what people do not understand is that we would much rather have you ask questions and address our differences than sweep it under the rug. How are kids going to learn how to treat others who are different if they are not shown that we are just like them but have some unique issues.
I just want to encourage you to ask questions and show love and respect to us. Please teach your kiddos about differences and the "funny" people they may see in the grocery store, park, or school.
"She has a funny voice"...(this is often how children refer to me when they know I am different they say funny).
Now it is not what the little boy said that bugged me. It was what the mom responded with
"Don't say that"
Boy responded: "Why?"
Mom: "Because it is not nice to say"
You may be thinking well what is wrong with the mother's response? Let me tell you.
How are children supposed to learn how to be around and treat others with disabilities with love if they are taught to ignore them and not learn from them. You see that mom indirectly just taught that boy that it is inappropriate to ask questions about people who are different from them. The boy just gave a natural curious statement and instead of learning why it is that I talk funny he learned nothing but do not ask questions.
The mom should have responded with the fact that sometimes people are born different and may be born with muscles that do not work as well as you. Your tongue is a muscle and some people have a weak tongue muscle, which makes them talk "funny" or different from what you are used to.
It is so unbearably common for people to avoid asking questions about disabled individuals and what people do not understand is that we would much rather have you ask questions and address our differences than sweep it under the rug. How are kids going to learn how to treat others who are different if they are not shown that we are just like them but have some unique issues.
I just want to encourage you to ask questions and show love and respect to us. Please teach your kiddos about differences and the "funny" people they may see in the grocery store, park, or school.
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