acceptance is contagious

To me, the most unsettling factor of yesterday's vaccination was a young kid I noticed in the waiting room at the pediatrician's office. He was about ten years old, quietly waiting for his sister and mom who were in with the doctor.

He repeatedly turned around when Hayden spoke. The other people in the waiting room may have been throwing glances, but this boy had to turn around in his chair to look. 

There was another toddler in the waiting room-- he was babbling up a storm and dancing around and prompting smiles from the other patients in the room. I was relieved when Hayden's name was called.

Before we left the house to go to the doctor, Hayden knew something was up but didn't know what. I told him we were going to the doctor so he could get a dot of medicine on his arm so he would not get sick this winter. I told him all of the kindergarteners get the same kind, and it was his turn. I said we need a piece of paper for the school nurse, and after he got his dot we'd get the paper.

He went to the bathroom twice before we left, again in the car on the way over, and then once more before we made it out of the doctor's office. Truth be told that four poops, two shots, a couple stickers, and six doughnut holes later... he was fine. Anxiety over.

As soon as we got in the car and his crying calmed enough that the first doughnut hole went in his mouth, he said, "mmm these good" 

My guy. My brave guy who didn't even notice the young boy who kept turning to look at him when he spoke. Because his language sounds different-- much like that of the toddler who was performing around the room. Except Hayden is almost 6 1/2.

Interestingly enough, today I learned about a blog post from a fellow parent of a child with FXS (via facebook). She was upset about something she witnessed at her daughter's daycare (rightfully so). She noticed the other kids who would stop what they were doing, put away what they were playing with, and move on to something else if they saw her daughter approaching. Just because her sweet daughter happens to have fragile x syndrome, and autism, and responds differently than other kids.

Several other parents of children with fxs copied the link to this woman's blog and posted it on facebook:
The Good: not me, Not Me, NOT ME

This inspired me to share the following post on my own page:

"Inspired to speak up based on a blog post by a fellow parent of a child with FXS (& on behalf of any human being who has ever been excluded):

If the average child stares at someone who is different from them & the parent says, 'It's not polite to stare'-- that parent is not seeing the larger picture. Their intentions may be good, but this is an inadequate way to teach your child acceptance. Regardless if your child is a kid or an adult, you are the parent. Acceptance begins with you.

In the same respect, if you’re an older sibling or cousin… think of who is looking up to you. What are they really seeing?

You owe it to the younger generation to take responsibility, to allow them to understand that this universe is made up of all kinds of different people. They can learn from you, more than anyone else in their life, that differences are not only OK but they're a normal part of existence."

I am quite honored that a fellow NJ parent-- whose name you will recognize if you're part of the FX community-- also shared my post:
Paula's Place - http://paulafasciano.blogspot.com

Please consider sharing the idea of acceptance with others you know.
I can only hope one day that young boy in the waiting room is lucky enough to embrace the differences around him, and smile.

In the meantime, I'll continue to appreciate the one that beams across Hayden's face on a regular basis.