But, accept that your offer may be turned down.

Watch the Paralympics and see what amazing superhuman things that disabled people can accomplish in the sporting arena – but accept that we are not all capable of that. Some want to be left alone, some want to be very involved in everything. I am always happy to tell people that I have MS, and have only been in a wheelchair for about 3 years – because it explains why I can’t do certain things, and why I get very tired.Įvery disabled person is different. And people are generally much more circumspect about asking adults why they are disabled. I am in a wheelchair myself, but am an adult. There are some very helpful suggestions for parents (and children) at the end of the book, about to deal with people who may be differently abled. In particular, get to know the PERSON before intruding on their personal circumstances. But, children (and all people) need to learn that there are polite ways of asking. For some children, their questions may arise out of fear – could this happen to me? – and a calm explanation may put their mind at rest.

Sometimes they need to be reminded that their questions and comments can really hurt. I imagine that it is very distressing for a child who is different, for whatever reason – to constantly be reminded of their difference, and to be asked continually to justify themselves, particularly by strangers at loud volume.Ĭhildren are curious – and often tactless. Sonia realises that Joe does not appreciate being asked about his leg all the time, and more importantly, realises that she doesn’t need to know about the leg – just about the games she can play with Joe, and how to be his friend. Did I mention that swashbuckling Joe was one-legged? Anyway, the kids keep coming up with more and more fanciful ideas about what happened to Joe’s other leg, and Joe becomes more and more upset.Įventually, Sonia introduces herself to Joe, they start to play together, and the other kids all join in playing pirates. He would quite like to have other kids to play with, but they are only interested in what happened to his leg. This is a beautifully illustrated book about a little boy, Joe, who loves playing pirates, while dodging sharks and crocodiles.

What happend to