I have a in home daycare...many of the kiddos I have had in my care for 5+ years...one girl that has been with me for five years...sent me for a good loop...one of the kiddos commented on how the 1 year old could run and that Maddie who was two could not...I commented...that Maddie can run it is just different...she walks fast with straight legs and we call it Maddie's run...I left it at that...when the child tried to push that Maddie was really not running and why...out of the words of an 8 years old...Maddie "has" Down Syndrome...Max chimed in and said she was born "with" Down Syndrome...then the 8 year old proceeded to say...Maddie is going to run -she just needs more time...she just learns things slower...wow if an 8 year old can get it...and say it...I melted...usually I would raise my brow at a the word "slow" but she was not meaning any harm...she was explaining it to a 6 year old and used the words that fit her development...when I think of sending Maddie into this world...I know there will be hard issues and mean people...but I think for the majority there will be nice...and kindness towards Maddie...I think people will see her for her...not for what she was born with...then adults speak..."glu-tard" that was what was said to me...of course it was that word with a ha ha after...I paused...I was speechless to say the least...it was what a women calls a friend that cannot eat gluten...so do I become that person...the person that calls someone out every time she is offended...or do I let it go...and when I let it go do I become that person that is not standing up for a word I am offended by...I just do not understand why a laugh goes with the word "tard"...I do not think I understand this line of thinking or bad judgment...
Thursday, August 18, 2011
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Oh, seriously bad judgement of that woman...Ugh.
ReplyDeleteBut so cool about the 8 year old really getting it! I, too, believe that the majority of people, young and old alike, are good and have good hearts. Our children will be well-protected.
Yes Kim, you 'let it go' - you are going to drive yourself (and everyone around you) crazy with your defensivness!!
ReplyDeleteHow neat is that! I love that Max and the other child spoke up for Maddie...Melted my heart too :)
ReplyDeleteAs time has gone by I am beginning to see that there are more good people in this world than bad...More people smile at Russell, than stare...And as he gets older I feel more at peace with what his future looks like.
It makes me sad when people get a chuckle out of using words that are offensive, but I like to think those people are few and far between. I think the best thing you can do to advocate for Maddie is to keep doing what you are doing on your blog and taking her everywhere you go and letting her personality shine through...that requires no words, no frusteration, and no conflict...but speaks volumes to those around!
ReplyDeleteKelli @livinglifewithes
I don't let it bother me. I can't let everything bother me, I just have to live. The only thing that kind of bothered me was this cute little boy was playing with Arina in the water. The mom was super nice and laughing. And then, when I was just thinking that no one here judges Arina the mom said to the little boy "she has a funny little tongue, doesn't she". Oh well, she still sucks people in with her little personality!
ReplyDeleteAn 8 year old with more understanding than an adult ! words hurt. Viv
ReplyDeleteAlthough people like that probably deserve your disdain, you have enough things to deal with already, why should you take on the burden of teaching things to adults that they should've learned by kindergarten?
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that your kids in daycare get it. Unlike the adults making tasteless comments.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if people understand what it sounds like to talk maturely vs immaturely...really? Glu-tard. Wow, never heard of it. Reality is, it is hard work not eating gluten. (does that person know what gluten is?) If people were so smart and able-bodied, they would not have any difficulty doing it, but I bet they would. wow I get frustrated at this.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were awaiting the results from our Amnio, one of my fears was of becoming one of "those" people that are so offended by the r-word. I know a lot of people that use it!
ReplyDeleteI think anonymous had it right, though. I think I'll have to let it go. I feel like the word has taken on new meaning anyway, much like other "offensive words." Also, I've always been of the mind that there are no such things as offensive words, just people that find certain words offensive.
I hope this makes sense... and doesn't sound awful. :-\ I'm still working through my own thoughts on the subject.