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jeddalyn35 karma

Hi Zach! I'm half-way through your book right now! It's just delightful. I love how it moves between being wildly funny and deeply personal. As I read, I feel like we're hanging out at the Olive Garden having a chat :)

I need a little advice. Friends of mine have an 11 year old son with CP and he usually uses a wheelchair when we're out. I spend a lot of time with him and we often go for adventures around town.

One thing that makes me frustrated is when people come up to us and say to me, "What's wrong with him?" or some variation on that. This happens quite often and I'm never sure how to handle it.

First, I'm angry that they're talking to me like he's not even there, and can't hear what we're saying. I mean, he's 11 for god's sake. Second, the whole phrase "what's wrong with him?" makes me angry. And third, why do they think they have the right to ask personal information like that?

The worst is when people try to give us advice. Especially about faith healing or herbal medicine or new-age treatments.

I wish I had some witty reply, but I usually just feel really annoyed and, I think, maybe protective. I try to brush them off and ignore them, saying something like, "There's nothing wrong with him, he's fine." Some persistent people will not get the hint and say something like, "No, why is he in a wheelchair?"

What can I do or say here? We are in Canada, so legally I have to be polite about it or Justin Trudeau harms a baby panda or something.

I don't think these people realize that they're being rude. Sometimes these questions come from other people in wheelchairs as well. I know they're just being curious, but I can tell that it makes my young friend awkward, and I'm not really helping because I don't know how to handle it.

Thanks for all your work, and for your book!

jeddalyn16 karma

As someone who works with special needs kids, thank you so much for understanding the tactile sensations thing! Makes it a lot easier!

jeddalyn5 karma

Thanks for the advice. I'll read this response to him. Maybe it will help us have a conversation about it :)