It's official: Brady's getting older and less babyish which means... people are starting to notice he's different. I think he was such a baby before, people didn't think twice, unless they realized how old he was. When we go out now, he uses his walker a lot and is thus garnering much attention.
Last week, one woman asked me, "Is there something wrong with him?" when she noticed Brady using the walker after finding out he was three. I answered, smiling, "Nope, there's nothing wrong with him."
She went on to tell me very sympathetically that he will get stronger, have more confidence and not need the walker anymore really soon. How sweet. I suppose I wouldn't have minded the second comment if she didn't start off with "What is wrong with him?"
I like the kids better. "Why is he using that?" one little boy asked me when Brady and I got to school one day. I answered, "Because his legs aren't strong enough to walk by himself, so this helps him." He was happy with my answer and ran off to play. It makes sense to him - if you can't do something, have some help and you're all set.
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Sometimes people just don't think before they speak. I think when children ask questions it is because they are curious but sometimes with adults it is very frustrating because I feel they only ask because they are busy bodys and don't really want to educate themselves.
Kerry, That was a really tough time for me. Caleb didn't have any trouble walking, but it was obvious in other areas. It was especially hard at the time because people were quite outright with their questions. I had grown ups ask me what was wrong with him, and I didn't even know at that point myself what it was. I would usually just say nothing too because I thought they were so rude to ask. Most of the time though they are just so captivated by his cuteness and overly friendliness that they only give us compliments. The rude ones are few and far between.
Anywho, it is hard when you can no longer hide it from the world, but their reactions do get easier to stomach. I still occasionally get a "Whats wrong with him" or a "What does he have?" And I just say "He's fine." If the person was not rude about it, I go into more details and spread the word about WS.
Don't you worry, you still have time before they catch wind, or the do notice and think he is terribly adorable anyway. No joke, I still get it about Avery almost every day (even more so lately it seems), every where we go, from teachers and therapists to strangers, they all say "She is so adorable", "She makes me smile", "I can't wait to see her every week"...etc...it is all about personality, baby.
I think adults just don't think before they speak! They don't stop to think how their words will come across, you don't ask someone what is "wrong" with their child! You're right - how the other kid asked, why does he use that? is so much better!
Funny, I usually like kid's responses better too. They almost seem more understanding (which you would expect the opposite!). I wish people would think before they speak.
People and their comments, seriously some people just dont think at all.
I dont get along with my grandmother and so had never mentioned any of Jai's issues i put a photo of the three boys in with a chrissy card one year (she lives in New Zealand) and my Dad got a phone call from her a week later demanding "Whats wrong with the middle one?" Well. and theres me thinking he looked perfectly "normal".
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