Differences Are What Make The World Such A Beautiful Place!

One thing I have learned is that children don't notice the differences in Alex.  Adults are the ones who notice.  Adults are the ones who ask questions.  Adults are the ones who make hurtful comments. We tell our children to accept the differences of others, yet they see us, day in and day out, talking bad about people because of their differences.  They dress differently, they parent differently, they live their lives differently. We constantly point out the differences of others.  I'm guilty of it as well.  Alex is popular at school and the kids love him and don't see him as different.  It's not the children.  It's the adults.

Alex's difference is Apraxia. It is a disorder of the brain and nervous system making it difficult to perform tasks or even speak, even though you understand what you are supposed to be doing/want to say and are willing to perform said tasks.  It is a very frustrating disorder. I knew a mom who wouldn't let her child invite Alex to play at their house because she didn't want to have to watch him for fear that he would be high maintenance or she wouldn't be able to handle him.  I have had people ask me, right in front of Alex, if he is mentally ill.  I think he was 5 when he first came to me and asked what "retarded" meant.  Life is not easy for Alex and Jacob and I are adamant that we do not let him take the easy way out of things.  No one else, out there in the big cruel world, will let him take the easy way out.  We want to prepare him for that.  He is one determined little guy and he is one of the coolest and strongest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing, much less the privilege of getting to hear call me "mom."

We are making changes in our home.  A LOT of changes.  Changes for the better.  Changes that will not only make our children better adults, but changes that will make us better adults, and therefore, better parents. Differences are what add beauty to this world in which we all live.  Different colors, different patterns, different thoughts, different shapes . . . the beauty of our world is made up of differences.  We cannot tell our children to be nice to people who are different and then turn around and point out differences of others in negative tones.  I love that the children in Alex's class don't notice his differences.  They just see Alex for who he is.

We should all strive to see the world the way our children do.  What an awesome place it would be!