Comments on: My Son Isn’t Sick. He’s Different and So Are You

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 17:00:31 +0000

Wow, Jeri, that is true! I interviewed Tim Shriver, CEO of the Special Olympics, this past weekend and he compared not talking about differences to the Emperor’s New Clothes and called it a recipe for exclusion. I agree and feel like we need to talk about this issue, not ignore it, especially with the kids who are typically developing and may not know and want to know.

By: Jeri Graybill

Jeri Graybill — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:56:13 +0000

Thanks for the post. I remember when our daughter was born with down syndrome that one of my most overwhelming emotions the first few hours of her life was wrapped up in a question of “How would everything ever be all right again?” Or — would we ever feel a state of normal again? What a wonderful gift she has been to our family. As we immediately began to love her and her uniqueness, we realized that “normal” was an illusion! Everyone has different strengths and struggles, and that’s just the way life is. People who don’t understand that are disabled in their own way.

By: Sonia

Sonia — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 03:38:03 +0000

Thanks for posting this. As a teacher currently staying home with my little ones, I have been on both sides of the “difference talk” experience. My son spent years being painfully shy (looking at his face during those moments I could see the pain he was feeling) and has begun a slow movement toward sharing more of himself with others. So many people would stand in front of him and ask me what “his problem” was. Remembering my own painfully shy moments of childhood, it’s difficult to be a graceful adult and inform them that he is just having a shy moment, and that it was perfectly fine with me. We all have special needs of our own to make it through each day – some are just more obvious than others.

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:47:02 +0000

This is a great post. I visited my son’s 2nd grade class a few months ago to talk about autism, and it was amazing – the kids are so curious to know what the real deal is, how they can help be a better friend, and they asked wonderful questions. It’s the adults who usually seem to have a problem!

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:30:11 +0000

I remember talking to my classes about handicapping conditions. After a few minutes I’d announce that I had two plastic teeth in front–that always was a conversation stopper. I told them all the ways growing up I had to do things that others didn’t because my teeth came out if I didn’t–I was different.
Kids would sputter and play “yes but,” and as the conversation started again it often reached a different level.
What is different? What is a handicapping condition? What matters? Should it matter? When does it matter?
These really are important questions to address. It’s like addressing question of food intolerance. It’s very important for me to know the ingredients in prepared foods since I’m gluten intolerant. That makes me different from someone who isn’t gluten intolerant

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:58:25 +0000

Thanks for the comments — it seems like this is still an issue! And, then I also think that emotional differences are more stigmatized than physical ones. (Bipolar versus amputee for example.) Do you agree?

By: Ellen

Ellen — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:28:32 +0000

Such a wonderful post. As a teacher, we had many instances where discussing differences was essential to help kids understand one another. As a parent of a little girl who had to wear a helmet for plagiocephaly, I wish more parents had the same conversations with their kids and themselves. Thanks!

By: Candy

Candy — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 02:01:57 +0000

i loved this post so much. thank u for posting it. we should all embrace each other’s differences. i truly believe it makes our children better human beings and better people contributing to society and raising their own children one day.