A new neighbour moved in near me recently. She popped round today to drop back a hammer that Ryan lent her.
We chatted for a moment, and I told her I’d met her son. Her eyes wide, she explained that he had a learning disability. ‘He’s got the mind of a much younger child’
she explained.
she explained.
I told her I had guessed as such, but had chatted to him regardless. It actually took me aback that she seemed so worried about our exchange.
She apologised if he had been rude to me in anyway. (He hadn’t) ‘He doesn’t understand you see, so I’m sorry if he offended you.’
So I wanted to say this, to anyone else who feels they need apologise for this type of behaviour.
To the parent of a disabled child,
I wish you didn’t feel you have to apologise for your kid.
I wish you didn’t worry what I thought of their behaviour.
I wish you didn’t feel you have to justify why typical discipline simply doesn’t work.
I don’t have a disabled child, but I still see you.
I still want to understand, and it is my role, as someone of able body & mind – to adapt to YOUR child, and their needs.
Not the other way around.
See I am able to do that, without trouble.
It costs me NOTHING.
I don’t need a strict routine.
I don’t need set time tables.
I don’t struggle with change.
It costs me NOTHING.
I don’t need a strict routine.
I don’t need set time tables.
I don’t struggle with change.
But I know your child might.
And that is okay. We can work with that.
And that is okay. We can work with that.
I’m sorry that society makes you feel abnormal.
I’m sorry if individuals have stared, or gossiped, or made you feel less than – for being blessed with a non-typical child.
I’m sorry if individuals have stared, or gossiped, or made you feel less than – for being blessed with a non-typical child.
In the Uk, there is 800,000 kids with a disability of some kind.
So you are not alone.
So you are not alone.
I do not judge your noisy child.
I do not fear your physical child.
Your child that can’t express themselves in a typical way.
The child that doesn’t understand the ‘social norm’.
I do not fear your physical child.
Your child that can’t express themselves in a typical way.
The child that doesn’t understand the ‘social norm’.
They are still your child, still a person, and they still deserve a place here.
They can take up as much space as they need.
And I will adapt to that.
And I will adapt to that.
Because I can, and because I should.
And I will teach my able bodied, and able minded child to do the same.
And I will teach my able bodied, and able minded child to do the same.
So do not apologise for your disabled child.
Because kids with additional needs, are the worlds most needed additions ??
Love & Understanding
Gylisa ???✨ (aka Rocknrollmother)
Gylisa ???✨ (aka Rocknrollmother)