Learning to Celebrate the Small Steps. : Be the kind kid

"You are dumb, you drool, your skin is a different color, you are a weirdo, careful
you might catch what they have, and go back where you came from. Of course,
we can’t forget the people who stare with their mouths wide open as if they are
seeing martians coming out of a UFO."

Those are a few negative comments that are spoken every day around us.

What can we do?

There is a lot we can do as parents, teachers, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, and

friends. Why not begin with educating our children with more than science, math,
reading, and english.

Acceptance and kindness can be taught and modeled by all of us.

My daughter, Meghann was diagnosed with cerebral palsy around 10 month old

and at 3 years old she began a preschool programj 50 miles from home.

Each year I worried if she would arrive safely, and if she was being treated fairly.

Every new school year would bring another group of children.

Many of those children who had NEVER been around a differently abled child.

Parents/Adults-

Children are little sponges. They will watch your reaction when you are

around a person with a different ability. Do not kid yourself that they are not

watching you.

I cannot tell you how many times I was out with Meghann that a child pointed

to Meghann’s wheelchair to only get hushed by a parent. This is NOT okay. It

is fine to allow your children to be curious about a child or person in a wheelchair.

Don’t make a wheelchair scary to them. Show them by example it is good to

interact with people who are in wheelchairs or different than them. You can be

a part of raising awareness and acceptance for all people.

Here is an example you may tell your child to help them understand unfamiliar

circumstances.

"Kids who have a disability may seem different and that doesn’t mean

they are bad or you can't be their friend. They may need to do things

differently such as using equipment like a wheelchair, or a device to

help them talk. I am sure you will find that they like to play just like

everyone else."

I once wrote a blog about the time a child asked me this question. “What’s

wrong with Meghann?” My answer was “Nothing is wrong with her. She was

born with cerebral palsy. Meghann learns a little slower and might take longer

to accomplish a task. She likes to have fun, and cries if she gets hurt, and will

get mad just like everyone."
The little girl sat down on the step beside Meghann and began talking to her
as if they were buddies forever.

I along with many parents of differently abled children want your child to approach us and
ask questions. (at the appropriate time) This is the first step to a better understanding and
erasing the mystery. It is also a chance for all of us to learn something new. After all inclusion
is on the rise in school classrooms. You need to be ready for your children to ask questions.
Statistics show discussing disabilities prepares a child to not give in to peer pressure or to go
along with teasing or bullying someone who is different.

If you are not sure what to tell your children. Here is another example
of something you can do with your child.

Make a list with your children what they have in common with the differently abled child.
Such as, they both will hurt when someone is mean to them, and laugh when something is
funny. Everyone wants to be included and to have friends.

I hope when you start making your lists for school supplies and shopping for
clothes that you will include discussions on acceptance and kindness in the
classroom. Encourage your child to be the kind kid this year. The one who gives
someone who doesn’t walk, talk, or looks different than them a chance for a new
friend.