If you walk by a special needs child, do you look the other way?

No I don't but I may have been guilty of that when I was younger. Not because I was afraid they would talk to me but I was afraid they would think I was staring at them and being rude. That may be the case with the people who are looking the other way. I will remember what you said now and be sure to pay extra attention when I see someone with a disability cause I don't know that I ever thought about that before.

First of all I want to thank you for posting this question. If absolutely nothing else it might make people realize what they are doing to a disabled child. As to my own answer, if I have even a spare moment I will take the time to specifically talk to a disabled child. Why? Because I was where they are myself. I was born with club foot in both feet and between the ages of 2 months and 13 years old I had 14 surgeries on my feet and ankles. I remember all too well the many looks, or more distinctly the "trying really hard not to look." Even people that say they are saying "Hi" need to pay close attention to HOW they are greeting a disabled child. So many times an adult would say hello to me, trying to pretend like they were being friendly, but the look of horror on their face, or the look of fear, is something that has stayed with me all these years. Even at that age all I wanted was someone who was honest... with me... and with themselves. I appreciated for more, even once I was older and still in a wheelchair, a younger kid coming up to me and saying "what happened to you?" Because more often than not once I would explain a little they would say "oh okay, wanna play?" That is the kind of honesty most disabled children want. Specifically to the author of the topic, may I ask what put your son in a wheelchair? If either of you ever want someone to talk to, please don't hesitate to contact me, I'd be glad to share information and talk any time. Peace and blessings to you both.

I personally think everyone with special needs or not should be paid attention to...I've seen the way people look at people with certain disabilities and it makes me so mad...I've even seen people snicker and laugh..I've even spoken to some people and told them how I felt about something I've seen them do..people need to learn to be a little more kind

I would never intentionaly ignore any child. So sorry that you seem to be having that experience.

People dont like to see reality at all. I am an over weight person and when I go out any where the only people I can get to look at me are other over weight people or the cashier at the check out counter, but when IH ave my kids with me every one wants to say hello to them and then they aske me how old they are. I make it a point to acknowledge a special needs child and even adult. They are humans just like us who need a little extra help. A few years back I was working at this mail order company and I was very happy that they employed a couple special needs adults to work in the packing facility. They were all in wheel chairs and perfectly capable to work. I said hello to them every time I saw them and told them I was happy to see them. The smile on there face was reward enough for me. One of them made me a picture of a rainbow, she said that my saying hello to her every time I saw her made her realise that there is a rainbow inside every one it is just some show there tru colors better than others. I was on my lunch break and I had to sit in my car and cry a bit because I didnt know how much it meant to her that all I did was say hello. I knew I made her day every time she came to work.

Not at all! There is nothing 'wrong' with them, they aren't mutants. They are people too and deserve to be treated just like anyone else. =) I see people whisper or make eyes at children who are special needs in public, it makes me so sad that people would actually be like that. =(

No. Whenever I walk by anyone in a wheelchair, or otherwise handicapped, I try to make eye contact and smile if I get the chance.

I would never ignore anyone who is disabled, especially not a child! Often times I have to walk with my cane to get around, so if I see someone in a wheelchair, or something, I always try to give them a smile, and say hi. If we're in a checkout line together, I'll usually converse with the parent and child, if it seems like the parent doesn't mind. (Lots of them DO nowadays, you know?) We're all human, and we need interaction to make us feel OK whether we have a disability or not. You sound like a real good Dad...he'll learn a lot from you on acceptance with grace!

I would not avoid them. I worked in high school special needs for 8 years, and I met some wonderful kids. There was Jason who was in a wheelchair and couldn't talk except thru his Liberator. He had a wild sense of humor and was always teasing. He was also quite bright although no one had ever taught him to read. Then there was Brian who was in a wheelchair and couldn't talk, but he loved to flirt with the girls just like any other teenaged boy. David was severely autistic, yet he loved to walk around singing and trying to get others to sing with him. I could go on and on, but these kids were delightful, even more than a lot of "normal" kids I knew. I hate it when people treat handicapped people like they had no feelings or like they aren't as good as other people. A lot of people feel out of their comfort zone when they see a handicapped person and don't know what to say or how to act. Encourage your son to be friendly even if people shun him. That will help them understand that he is approachable just like anyone else.

If you don't feel comfortable talking to them a smile would do. Just something to acknowlege that you see them.

No sometimes I say hi and watch their faces light up and that makes me happy also

Until this year I worked on special needs school buses. I am not working now to stay home with my grand daughter. I miss my special needs kids. They are wonderful to be a round. My sons fiance is graduating college this month. She works with special needs kids. My family all loves them. That is the way I raised my kids.

yah special need ppl needs more attention!! they r not gifted by all needs so we will have to care abt them !!

I get that a lot too. My son has CP. I just hate it when people give him dirty looks. It makes me mad. Sometimes I think they should look the other way instead oflookign at him weird. Kids don't deserve to be treated with ignorance!

I admit that I do tend to look away. Not because I am afraid they will try to get me to speak to them or that they are bad or anything. I do it because alot of the times the sight of them is diturbing to me. It bothers me to know that people have to live that way and how hard it must be for them. It just eats at me. I hope that doesn't sound wrong because I am merely trying to express the feeling that I get. It has nothing to do with the individual child or family it is just the idea of it. I believe it all goes back to this one time when I was in America living, my friend asked me to pick her up from work. She wasn't outside like she said she would be so I had to go in. I didn't know what sort of place it was but it turns out that it was a group home for special needs children. These children were like this from abuse, neglect or addictd parents. I was not prepared to see what I saw. I know that alot of children are simply born this way and not because the parent did something wrong but it is what I saw that forever stuck in my mind. It was terrible. I suppose I was somewhat traumatised by what I saw at that house.

NO actually I don't. I look and smile at them. If they try talking to me I will talk to them. I wish everyone would be as friendly. they don't judge a person by the way they look or by any physical problems. I thing those kids are great.

I just wanted to add that I have an Uncle that is in a wheelchair with Polio and I know a 14 year old boy who is in a wheelchair and they are probably the sweetest people you will ever meet. I love talking with them and making them laugh.

As you know, I also have a special needs child. Most children, including special needs children, like to be noticed and talked to. Unfortunately, you do not see very many special needs children going to the stores. Many other people just look the other way when you pass with your handicapped child or else just stare. Children have feelings and do not like to be treated in this way. I think that is why a lot of people leave their handicapped child at hi=ome so that the child's feelings will not be hurt.

I would never turn & look the other way if I was to see someone who had special needs. As to me they are just like anyone of us out there in this world. There is no big difference to me. And I agree that they deserve attention as well. Like anyone else out there in this world. I've had conversations with them before. And I find them to have such genuine hearts, & wonderful personalities as well. I as well used to work in retail & we'd have people come in there all the time who needed some assistance. And some of the people I had worked with would giggle or look frightened. But I on the other hand would go up to them & help them in anyway that I possibly could.. And they we're more than grateful. I've also encountered people who will may fun of people who are disabled & I find it quite sickening that people do this. All of us within this world are different in one way or another. And I think there is nothing wrong with that. If anything it makes this world so much more unique, so much more diverse. I'm sorry that you've had to go through people turning the other way when seeing your son being in a wheel chair. I can only imagine how upset you must feel at times. At least he has you there though to support him along the way.

Thank you for your post. I am one of the people that look the other way. Until your post today, I really never knew what to do. I always felt really uncomfortable because I really haven't had any contact with any special needs children. I always felt if I acknowledge them I was givng them unwanted attention. Now I feel like a complete a$$ for being so ignorant. So, again thank you for letting the people who look away a wake up call. I feel like a really horrible person now. But I change that starting now.