Imagine being a toddler. Everything is new to you, including every person who’s not your family. Of course you stare, to take in as much information as possible. You’re not ready to judge, but you’re creating categories to help sort all that information. And you’re ripe to be influenced.
This is why it’s worth engaging with the toddler if possible. Your short conversation in this teachable moment can be the foundation of countless improved interactions that person has, with disabled people, and in talking with others about people with disabilities, and other differences, during their lifetime. They could even grow up to be a person who creates laws that affect you and your friends.
I used to do something like that. Instead of talking to them, I would just lean over and belch the word “HELLO!” real loud at them. They would often run away crying, but I felt like there was real value in our interaction.
Imagine being a toddler. Everything is new to you, including every person who’s not your family. Of course you stare, to take in as much information as possible. You’re not ready to judge, but you’re creating categories to help sort all that information. And you’re ripe to be influenced.
This is why it’s worth engaging with the toddler if possible. Your short conversation in this teachable moment can be the foundation of countless improved interactions that person has, with disabled people, and in talking with others about people with disabilities, and other differences, during their lifetime. They could even grow up to be a person who creates laws that affect you and your friends.
I used to do something like that. Instead of talking to them, I would just lean over and belch the word “HELLO!” real loud at them. They would often run away crying, but I felt like there was real value in our interaction.