Wednesday, October 19, 2011

We Don't Bite, Unless Provoked: A perfectly nice post on the blog Special Happens seems to have gotten under my skin today. In 'Questions “Typical” Parents Are Afraid To Ask,' the mom of "3 very healthy, athletic, socially adept (ish) kids" wants very much to be correct and polite and supportive to families of kids with special needs, and not be one of Those People. And sure, that's what we want, folks who are thoughtful and not judgmental about our kids' disabilities. At the same time, though, we're not a damn landmine. You don't have to tiptoe around us. In most cases, what you need to know about our kids is that they are kids. The dynamic of what's right and wrong to say is probably exactly the same as you'd feel if someone whose kids were healthier, more athletic, and entirely socially adept tried to pussyfoot around you. But maybe I'm just in an ornery mood today.

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