Whether it's a "well meaning" attempt to "protect" my disabled child from your typical child, or an unfounded act of fear, the message you give to your children is one of continued ignorance.
When your curious child approaches my daughter, I see wonderment, curiosity, and a hand reaching out to make a friend. When you run up and snatch your child away from such a beautiful encounter, what does your child see? What does my child see?
I want nothing more than for my daughter to be able to run around and play. For now she has to settle for army crawling to propel herself in her desired direction, or walking with maximum assistance. Her determination tells me she wants what I want too. My faith in her tells me she will reach that goal.
She doesn't want to be "left alone", and frankly neither do I! Chances to socialize with other children are far and few between. Sure she has older siblings, but it would be nice if Jaylyn had an accepting friend. It would also be nice if we didn't have experiences such as this. My daughter is not some contageous delicate flower that will break while simultaneously spreading disease. Cerebral palsy and epilepsy are not contageous, neither are the causes.
Jaylyn is a happy, determined, rough and tumble playing baby! Rather than saying she is disabled, I prefer the term differently-abled. She finds a way to manipulate her toys, play with her apps on my phone, even semi assist me when dressing her! Despite her challenges, she manages to crawl into the kitchen and tip over the dog's water bowl. Opens cabinets, tears up papers, pulls things off the coffee table, and yes even throws an occasional tantrum when she does not get her way. If I described a day in the life of Jaylyn and left out the difficulties she has, I would be describing typical toddler behavior. Jaylyn has a lot of physical challenges that make a lot of tasks babies her age should be doing, difficult or impossible. I don't think the things she's unable to do are because she is delayed, but due to her inability to do them physically. The fact that she does not yet speak definitely makes it even more challenging.
Jaylyn knows a little sign language, but again, physical challenges inhibit her from signing more complex words that require the use of both hands. I have been working with her on pushing buttons on her apps to prime her for a communication device. I even have one downloaded that uses pictures and speaks the word. I know it will take a special person to be her friend and find alternative ways to play and communicate. Until then, she has her family!
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