Special needs kid at the park

We make an effort to go to the park everyday. Park in the hood is the only place where D. sees all types of people: different age groups, siblings, colors, nationalities, nannies, mommies, daddies etc. I love the level of diversity and exposure she gets at this very little age. If I want her to be something in the future, I would love her to be welcoming and embracing to all sort of human beings.

So yesterday we did the same. We went to the park, said hi to everybody, started playing. Then a special needs baby and two of her caregivers came to the park. They sat down. Minute they sat down, me and D. went by near them, said hi, had a little chitty chat, and welcomed them to the park. Everyone else kind of stayed away, and I really wondered why. I asked one of the nannies. She said she is sick. I asked if it is contagious. She said "I don't know but her face does not look good to me."

I will admit, I got worried. I got worried because I felt like I put my baby in danger. She also added, you should do whatever it takes to protect your own baby. For a minute, I hesitated about my parenting skills just because I went to go say hi to a baby. I decided to find out the truth before making any judgements.

Then I found out, she has a disability coming from birth. I felt even worse. Just because people think it might be contagious, they stayed away and gave pitiful looks.

I could not get over it whole night. For some reason, I felt very upset. I am not sure if I was mad at people at the park or if I was worried how I will manage to raise D. in the way I hoped living in a community like this.

So I decided to write here in my blog. I am asking you all. Please please teach your kids to welcome everyone, embrace the realities of life and be friendly to everyone. Kindness will save the world and we can only achieve that by raising kind and friendly generations.

Of course, it is our primary job to protect our babies. But we need to make sure we know the distinction between protection and isolation. Otherwise, babies WE are raising will only learn to select/pick friends according to their appearance/convenience.

Cheers.