She's No Geordi

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge

Grace is now at the age where her disabilities are becoming more noticeable. When we are out in public, normally someone will comment on her hair or how cute she is. Then they pause.

They don't want to stare, but they can tell something is different about her. So far, only two people have come out and made comments about her 'special needs'. Both were very kind, but it still broke my heart.

People can tell my baby is different.

A few days ago at the grocery store, we were picking up some ground beef. The lady working the counter talked to Grace....and then she did 'the pause'. Because of her visual impairment, Grace couldn't tell where the woman's voice was coming from. So while Grace was turning her head, 'scanning' to find the woman, I quickly said, "Oh, she's visually impaired and is trying to figure out where your voice was coming from."

The woman responded, "Oh! My brother is mentally handicapped!"

*Sigh*

 I understand that when people are faced with something different and maybe a little uncomfortable, the knee-jerk reaction is to compare it to something in their own lives. But as this woman rambled on about her brother and the hole in his heart and yada, yada, yada, I just wanted to yell  at her. IT'S NOT THE SAME THING.

It's okay to notice that things are different with my daughter. It's okay to make kind comments about her. It's even VERY okay to ask questions! But please don't lump all disabled people into the same group. Each person is very, very different.

As we were leaving, the woman laughed. "You know, in her lifetime they may be able to do something to help her! Maybe she will end up like that guy on Star Trek with that visor that helps him see!"

"Maybe!" I laughed and turned to walk away.

"Psh, what does she know?" I thought to myself. "Grace is no weird Star Trek character. She's not Geordi La Forge!" 

"She's a kick-ass Captain Kathryn Janeway, damn it!"

Now excuse me, my dork is showing. Let me go tuck that back in. :)