The other day at the grocery store the clerked asked the man in front of me if he wanted to give the change of his purchase to the Special Olympics…he said no…I was offended...REALLY! 30 cents you could not give 3 dimes… to my daughters future…WOWSA…it made me realize not many people care about what I do…then I stepped back and really looked at the situation…it may not be that he does not care…maybe he just not know…maybe he just might not know that I think the Special Olympics R-O-C-K-S…and maybe be does not know that my daughter was born with an “ability” to participate in the Special Olympics…then I got to thinking am I a “abilities” snob…like do I think my daughter is better then everyone else’s daughter that is born with a label….maybe…and then I remembered a lady I worked with and her son was born with CF…I remember it consumed her…I remember her crying…and I remember me getting annoyed at the constant reminder of his disease…I also remember others in the office rolling there eyes at the many stories and recounts of what came with this disease…and today in the shower I realized that I am her…I have become the women that relentlessly…talks about her child…I am the lady that never shuts up…The lady that you roll your eyes at…so with that said…I will try not to be the snobbie lady that thinks her child is the end all to all childhood “abilities”…who knew a lack of a donation could go so deep…
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
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Isn't it funny the things that give us those "ah ha" moments! I'm so much more aware of myself than I ever have been in the past and the only thing I can think is it's because I'm actually paying attention to life now!
ReplyDeleteAhhh, excellent post! I have become increasingly aware lately that I just might be THAT woman also!! I have had to remind myself that as much as Down syndrome is close to my heart and I want to raise awareness, I cannot always be talking about it, or even thinking about it! That perhaps people will learn more if they simply just see us living our lives the way we always have, Down syndrome or not!
ReplyDeleteHonestly though...Would it have killed the guy to donate 30 cents!!! LOL...Kind of bugs me!
hahahhaahaha. I havent reached this point yet, Im still the shy parent that doesnt say anything. I get the "how old is she" she is 3 "oh shes small" yea.... Than if I say she has Williams Syndrome, oh whats that, I cant even tell. Its like you dont even know what it is how do you know if you can tell. And now your opinions changed because she has a Syndrome, you sure do judge a book by its cover huh!! I didnt know you had to look a certain way in order to have a genetic syndrome, my apologies...... Oh I could go on hahahahah
ReplyDeleteWithin time Im sure Ill become you <3
Very enlightening post! I love posts like this that make me think about how I act and feel too. One of our biggest things we decided when Kristen was born was to not make Down syndrome the focus of our life. We really try to live that way. In fact, I have stopped telling new people I meet she has it. I finally realized I do not have too...she is Kristen first. It is amazing what your attitude alone as a family can do! Thanks for your great thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI can't get over how much Maddie's growing! I've had those a ha moments, too. One thing our kids give us is a passion to share with the world that they are awesome. That's why we blog, right :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's why I love our grocery store. There are several baggers with disabilities and they proudly support Special Olympics. They do a whole month of selling rootbeer floats (with special olympians serving them up) to support athletes going to regionals/nationals. I love donating with an added "cause I have future athlete right here (or at home)!"
ReplyDeleteI think I may be that woman, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm also the one that thinks, "Yeah well my kid has Down syndrome and my husband had cancer." when someone tells me their problems. Which is selfish and I shouldn't do...but at least I don't say it, right?
Great post and insight! I know that I am sometimes that person too. There are times I get upset when people don't acknowledge that Claire has Ds, and then I realize how silly that is. I want her to be loved for HER, and there I am only thinking of Ds....Exactly what I don't want other to do!
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