Monday, July 16, 2012

ESY

As I was leaving school with Jacob, another mom was walking behind us and asked what happened to him. I ignored her. I was pissed. His WHFO (wrist-hand-finger-orthotic) and his AFO (ankle-foot-orthotic) beg others to ask what has happened to him. I realize that the assumption is that he has injured his hand and his foot. But seriously, we were leaving the Extended School Year program, where something has "happened" to every child. I was pissed because I would love to tell the truth but the other mom probably wanted to hear about some crazy mishap that Jacob would heal from in a few weeks. I know that I am being harsh. Probably over-sensitive. But when someone asks what happened to him, I hear what's wrong with him. And there's nothing wrong with my boy.

4 comments:

  1. Often, People turn away from that which they don't know, because it makes them fearful or uncomfortable. I think you may have been over sensitive. Perhaps the mom just wanted to let you share Jacob's story - a tale of triumph.

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  2. About 8 years ago, I was in line at the post office with Amanda and the postal worker asked me, "What's wrong with her eyes?" Can you imagine? People can be ignorant and will continue to be.

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  3. People are ignorant. And I've grown to the place that you have to earn the right to know "what happened to him".

    I'm glad you ignored her. I would have too.

    ...d

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  4. Yah. Curiosity doesn't do it for me. When small children ask, I say he was born this way. I don't know what the proper etiquette is for asking, but if you are a stranger to me and our only connection is sharing a space on asphalt, then you should probably just go on wondering and when you get home, look it up.

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