Recently, while I was on a shopping trip with my son E, we came across two other children. E asked about those children and I’m not sure I did the right thing. Here’s how the conversation went.
E: Why do those not have motors? (asking about the 2 kids in wheelchairs we saw)
Me: Because some wheelchairs have motors and others don’t.
E: Those kids need those chairs to get around.
Me: Yes they probably do. Would you like to go say hi?
E: No.
Me: Okay. (I smile at the adults trying to acknowledge the situation without embarrassing anyone.)
Now three days later, I am second guessing myself. I feel like I should have gone over and said hello to the entire group and helped E feel OK talking to all different kinds of kids. I try to teach my child that difference is OK whether it be gender, race, family makeup, or handicap. We know several people that use wheelchairs including the one we see most often in a motorized wheelchair, which is why he asked about the motors.
How do you handle this type of situation with your child?
Have you been the one that is being talked about and how would you like it handled?
