Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Celebrating without Qualifying

Yesterday was our monthly trip to Denver for appointments.  Claire had PT in the morning and audiology in the afternoon.  Her hearing test went well, and there were no major concerns, just a bit of fluid in one year, and we will follow up with an ENT.

Before audiology we had PT with Pat Winders.  I know I've mentioned Pat before and how much I love her.  She passionate about her job and she loves the kids she works with.  But my absolute favorite thing about Pat is that she celebrates Claire without adding a qualifier.

I've had people say things like "Claire is doing so well...for a baby with Down syndrome" or "she is the cutest baby with Down syndrome I've ever seen'.  And while these may seem like compliments, they really aren't.  It's sort of like saying someone is smart...for a girl. 

But with Pat there are no qualifiers, just genuine happiness.  She understands.

Claire is amazing, beautiful and smart.  Period.

13 comments:

  1. That's a GREAT point, Melissa! I think we tend to become immune to hearing those qualifiers, but it's important to acknowledge the *child.* It must be related to People First language in some way, although I don't know if I've ever heard it separated out like this.

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  2. Totally cool that Claire has one of the best PTs in the world. And that Pat can see the whole entire beautiful person Claire is--terrific!

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  3. Don't you wish everyone had the same mind set?

    Glad the appointments were uneventful.I just LOVE uneventful!

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  4. I'm a bit jealous of your PT- she seems amazing! Also, you must be just so proud of Claire. Beautiful and talented- it just doesn't get much better than that. (-:

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  5. That is one of my pet peeves...our kiddos are cute, smart and talented and it has nothing to do with Ds! Yesterday someone I don't know said "he is just the cutest baby"...I waited for the "with Ds" or "does he have Ds" and when it never came I was actually shocked but it felt great!

    You are so lucky and blessed to be able to work with Pat!!!!

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  6. I love that about her too! We saw her last week and she said she couldn't get over how cute Lucas was and then said "but I'm sure you get that all the time." How sweet is that? And I agree Claire is so beautiful, one of the most beautiful babies I've ever seen. Glad everything went well.

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  7. You are right! She most certainly is!

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  8. I am starting to like Pat too. That's right! Claire is beautiful, amazing, and smart!

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  9. I have never thought about that before!! you are right on!! gotta love hte trips to Denver! I hope you got some shopping in!! smiles

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  10. Ah, excellent point! Its so true...And you are right, its not a compliment!!
    I have the gross motors skills book written by Pat Winders...Me and Russell use it daily :)

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  11. I never even realized Arina's early intervention lady is the same way. She never says Down syndrome when she is here. Never!

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  12. That is so cool! I hate those qualifiers too!! Great post....love it!!!

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