Mall-walking with Annie
This morning at 5:40 AM I got a recorded call from the school district superintendent saying that school was going to be 2 hours late--and no AM kindergarten for Annie--because of inclement weather. The slush on the street was at least 3/4" thick, so I was in total agreement with the decision. No telling what could happen on slushy roads when the temperature is 40 degrees.
Have I mentioned that Annie has had a long Christmas break? One week of snow days, two weeks of official break, and now we're into the fourth week, but who's counting? So instead of taking her to school, I packed her up, got in the van and braved the slush on our way to the mall. Annie loves going to the mall as long as you don't spend too much time in one place--she likes to keep moving in her wheelchair.
Telling about our trip to the mall reminds me of a list I thought of. I call it:
5 Things People Can Do for the Disabled in Public Places:
1. Smile--smiling is way better than staring.
2. Open doors for them.
3. Don't freak out when your kids ask "Why is that person in that wheelchair?"
Kids are naturally curious, and deserve a simple answer. I don't mind when kids (or adults for that matter) ask questions. You could say to the disabled person (or parent), "Do you mind if my son asks you a question?" A little boy in the elevator at Children's Hospital asked me why Annie was in the wheelchair, and I said, "Because her legs don't work as well as yours do." He then proceeded to demonstrate how high he could jump--he was onto the next thing. Kids are great, and honest questions are really okay.
4. Compliment them--notice that they are a human being with attributes besides their disability. A lady came up to Bill and Annie at the mall and said, "My, she is just all decked out in pink!" That remark was a blessing for Bill, because the lady was showing that Annie was attractive in spite of the hardware she sits in.
5. Don't park in handicapped spaces, unless you are disabled, even if the paint is so faded that you really can't tell if it's a handicapped place or not.
So that covers the essentials, at least for me. What's on your list?
Jean
Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12