Nurturing Positive Responses to the Physically Challenged

When we are young, we have a healthy curiosity about the world around us. We soon discover that not everyone is the same. How we respond to those who are different is not something we are formally taught. We learn that behavior from what is modeled by the words and actions of those closest to us, primarily our parents or other family members. Children are a direct reflection of their parents, and if their parents think something is wrong then so will the child. However, the typical adult response to physically challenged individuals is to ignore or avoid eye contact, leaving them feeling isolated or invisible. How many times have we told our children not to stare or point at those with physical differences? How many times have we quickly pulled our children away when they, in their child-like innocence, have asked about someone with a physical challenge?

When my son was young, he had a definite sense of the world around him and was quick to realize that there were many people out there who were different than he was. In the beginning, I was the typical parent, and unintentionally projected my own fear and discomfort of those unique individuals onto him. But there came a time when I considered how this negative response must feel on the receiving end, and began encouraging my son to recognize those facing adversity, to ask questions and be curious; that confronting those with special needs, rather than ignoring them, was a healthy behavior to nurture in a child. My son grew up to be a sensitive and compassionate young man.