Comments on: Redeeming Elvis (A Vacation Story)

By: Trish

Trish — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:25:53 +0000

Marla, I enjoyed that post and am so thankful when someone just accepts my son and interacts with him at his level.

Melody, what a great experience for any mom!

Tiffanie, thanks for sharing about your sister. Hopefully we can teach our children to be more understanding and compassionate of others and improve things for the next generation.

By: Tiffanie

Tiffanie — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:33:36 +0000

This story is absolutely heart warming. My sister is mentally retarded. She is the oldest of four. Growing up, I can’t tell you how many unfavorable (to say the least) responses we got. I remember a time when the short bus pulled right up next to my bus. All the kids were laughing and making fun of the passengers on the short bus. One glance was all it took to see my sister sitting there among the butt of such cruelty. I too say “Way to go Matt!”

By: Melody

Melody — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:24:33 +0000

I am wearing such a big smile. I love these moments and giving hearts like Matt’s.

I think perhaps the times no disabilities were noted are pretty good. Like when we’re in a restaurant and someone stops by our table to say, “You’re boys are so handsome and so well-mannered (or behaved)”.

Uh-huh…it can happen.

By: Marla

Marla — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:14:37 +0000

The best resaction I probably have had was in the post I wrote a few days ago called, “Is Your Dog Autistic?”. A wonderful smile and a feeling of acceptance. It was great.

Some of the worst are the questioning looks and the weery nods where nothing is said and M is looked up and down like she is from another planet. Since she has no certain “look” of have special needs some people won’t believe that she is Autistic and will actually try and debate me on the point.

Saying things like, “She seems perfectly normal to me.” As if I asked for their opinion or diagnosis. It is weird. I am sure they are trying to be nice or something but it just not necessary.

It is especially unnerving when it is a doctor at the emergency room or some “professional”. Once a doctor at the ER said,”Hmmm…are you sure she has a chromosome disorder? She does not look like she does.” I about fell off the chair. Duh. Yeah, the six grand worth of testing and testing results were quite accurate. I find professionals are often the worst.

Since we are often in the ER for her CVS having to tell her diagnosis every time is beyond exhausting because we always get comments.