He Didn't Get That

Kids are just so incredibly accepting, and I love that. Yeh, they're the first to point out someone or something that's different or strange in their world (usually very loudly, in public) but if it's something they grow up with they just don't see differences. I remember when Luke first heard from his siblings that Micah had DS. He was visibly upset that someone had the gall to suggest that his baby brother was different. He just couldn't see it. (He was 2 when Micah was born and we didn't bother to try to explain to him that although Micah was different, he really wasn't different at all.) And the kids in our church are the same way. To them, he's just Micah. And I love that.

I was talking with one little boy who asked me how old Micah was. I said he's 4.

Him: Why can't he talk?
Me: Because he has something called Down syndrome that makes it harder for him to learn things like talking.
Him: Well, my baby brother is 2 and he talks.
Me: Your brother talks very well. He doesn't have Downs.
Him: What does Micah have?
Me: Down syndrome. It's something he was born with that makes it harder for him to learn some things.
Him: (In a very nonchalant way) I don't think my brother got that.

And then he ran away to play. I still chuckle over this. To him it was nothing any different than brown hair or blue eyes. His brother just didn't get that.

14 comments:

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

I love it! Diva was 2 when Peanut was born, too. She's 5 now and she knows Peanut has DS but I don't think she really understand what that means. Other than we get to go to fun things like Christmas parties, the Buddy Walk and Saturday breakfasts at the Guild. Kids are great! We can learn a lot from them.

Karen said...

Wait, what's this Saturday breakfast thing? What Guild? Is there something else I should be aware of?

The Sports Mama said...

On a different scale, we go through that with Bug's cleft lip. Jock has never treated it like it was any big thing, and actually gets rather offended when someone looks at Bug's baby pics and makes a comment concerning the "birth defect". His answer is usually along the lines of "He might be a pain in my butt, but he's not defective!!"

I love that answer!

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

We have a wonderful organization where we live called the Kansas City Down Syndrome Guild. They put together lots of activities including things like new parent, grandparent and toddler parent breakfasts every 3 months on Saturdays. They offer free babysitting and parents can chat with other parents who have children the same age and discuss issues of concern or just share in fellowship. I have a link to it on my blog.

Maria (also Bia) said...

The adults of the world can learn so much from the innocence and acceptance of children. That was just beautiful. God bless.

Kidzmama said...

Bia stole my comment. That's the first thing I thought of too. Some adults need to be more accepting and nonchalant about kids attributes.

Burgh Baby said...

Bia stole my comment, too. We really could all stand to learn a lot from kids.

kari and kijsa said...

The wonderful comments by children always seem to be a little wiser than we expect! If we could all learn to be as accepting as a child!
Still laughing about the maxipad slippers!!

Merry Christmas blessings,
kari & kijsa

Kellan said...

I loved this sweet little story. I didn't know that one of your children had DS. I so love that children are so honest and so innocent - they simply don't see things the way older folks do - do they? Take care and I'll see you tomorrow my friend. Kellan

PS - you and I are a lot alike - we both have so many stories.

Madame Queen said...

My step sister is disabled -- she has a something similar to Muscular Dystrophy -- and is in a wheelchair. Bubba and Punkin always act like she's just like everyone else. I'm glad that they've been exposed to someone who's "different" yet not really different at all, so that they can see that really, we're all the same inside.

FarmHouse Style said...

If we could all look through the innocent eyes of children:)

Rhonda

Andrea said...

I love the pure innocence of children. They are so sweet and they love everyone. I love that picture!! He looks like he is haveing a great "belly" laugh.

Irene said...

Hi! I just found your blog through my sister (maria mommy of 4).

My second daughter has a chromosome disorder too. Her disorder affects her 17th chromosome - very very rare - and her issues are much more severe than your son - who is very cute by the way.

My oldest was not even 2 when she was born. She had no idea there was anything different with her sister. Even today, at 6 years old, she now knows her sister is different, but still thinks having a "different" type of sister is no big deal. My special needs daughter is tube fed, and my oldest helps out by turning off the feeding pump when needed without giving it a second thought. She will even joke that "sister can't eat that! It won't fit in her tube!" My 2 yo knows that her sister is different in that she doesn't play like her older sister does, but other than that, she could care less.

I 100% agree with Bia. Wonderful comment! Why can't we all be more like children!

Take care!

Karen said...

Sports Mama - I love his answer, too. That's wonderful! Again, I feel your boys love for each other whether or not they'll admit it. It makes me smile.

Madame Q - I agree. I think it's a wonderful thing for the other kids to have this brother because they're growing up knowing first-hand that different is only in the eyes of the beholder. And let me tell you, they are already gearing up for the tongue-lashing when Micah starts school and some poor unfortunate soul teases him. They will never know what hit them when my kids are through. And my kids friends are all into Micah, too. I love that. They know of course, and love him even more for it. They, too, will be on the administering side of the tongue-lashing. I'll have to think of a way to have them temper that yet still get their point across.