Lessons from the Hood by the Blonde Chick Zoe

Zoe has become a mentor to her little cousin Angeline. Angeline was one of the major inspirations behind the Medical Advocacy Team. She was our first Haitian Sensation and is simply fabulous. Angeline has spina bfida and has no movement from the knees down. She walks with a walker and does a wonderful job. She is so capable!

On Tuesday Sarah took the kids strawberry picking. When she pulled up at the strawberry farm there was a small boy playing in the dirt. He was throwing clouds of dirt in the air. His mother sat nearby holding a baby. Sarah ignored the boy (which shows unusual restraint on her part!) The little boy saw Angeline walking with her walker and went over to talk to her. Sarah didn't think much about it, since most kids have a curiosity for what they do not know. Angeline came over to Sarah upset.

She said "he says I can't walk! That boy says I can't walk!"

The mother just sat and said NOTHING.

Sarah told the boy, "She CAN walk, she just uses as walker".

The boy smarted back, "She CAN'T walk! She can't walk without her walker."

Still no reaction from the mother.

Sarah then said, " your mother wears glasses, does that mean she can't see?"

The mother sat and did NOTHING!

Angeline was upset all day. She may be three years old, but she totally got that her walker was a "bad" thing. She refused to use it and crawled around.

My Zoe stepped in and said, "Angeline, this is what you say to the mean boys....."

Hand held outstretched, palm up, head tilted, Zoe said, "Hey DUMB boy, don't talk to me!"

HAIR FLIP, HEAD TOSS, and a "HMPHH!"

Angeline LOVED it! She practiced the head toss, she practiced the hair flip (impressive even without the flowing blond locks) and even mastered a fairly good "hmphh".

Zoe spent an entire year at a new school where she felt continually bullied. We talked with her teacher, we talked with the principal, nothing was resolved. We gave the new school a good shot. We focused on how learning to get along with difficult people would get Zoe far in life in the future. We assured her that she would NOT have to return....I saw a lesson learned in action and was proud. My kids don't see differences, they see strengths. The have been raised with open eyes to all cultures, religions, races and differences in physical abilities. They do not turn and cringe or make fun of others. They are sensitive and strong. I have hope that they will not turn from the difficult situations in life, but will thrive.

P.S. Parents, PARENT your children... don't allow them to be rude, don't raise bigotry!