My son, Nathan, has autism. He is 10-years-old. Sometimes, I imagine that people look at him and notice there is something different about him. Sometimes he flaps his hands, or makes a funny squeaking sound, or runs around in a circle with no regard for what's going on around him. But sometimes, he doesn't. I don't know which is better. I want Nathan to fit in, but I also know when he looks "normal" people expect more from him.
Nathan loves to swing. Sometimes, I'll swing with so we can talk. |
This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Nathan has low muscle tone and cannot endure a lot of walking, so we use a special needs stroller/wheelchair for Nathan whenever we go any place that involves a lot of walking. People often give me a look like- why is this large child in a stroller???
I don't understand why we have to be so judgmental. I hear comments like this a lot at Walt Disney World. I especially hear people complaining about people who use motorized scooters or ECV's. There are comments about weight., comments about people abusing the system, comments about them running people over. Who cares why these people are using a scooter? We don't know if they have a heart condition, or a bad knee, or are fighting some serious illness. It's none of our business.
So, maybe if instead of assuming a child is old enough to know better, or wondering why an older kid is using a stroller, or shaming a person using scooter, we should give them benefit of the doubt. Maybe there's an invisible disability, you and I can't see. Maybe if we stop judging the people around us, the world would be just a little happier.
Oh, and by the way, you're never too old to go on the swings!
I am so sorry, for Jason and Nathan. I am also sorry for the lady. I am sorry she doesn't understand, or can't see that we are all different. She had a opportunity to meet an incredible man and his amazing son, instead she chose to judge. Too bad for her, she had a missed opportunity.
ReplyDeleteThanks mom! I felt bad for Jason and Nathan. Instead of celebrating that Nathan did his homework without a fight, and waited patiently for a swing, and that they were at a park, it ended up being spoiled by someone who just doesn't get it.
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