Sweet Caroline

Sweet Caroline

Thursday, February 20, 2014

She Is Not Deaf

Caroline happyMy daughter is joyful, jovial, sweet and crazy smart.  She is also a nonverbal sensory seeker who flaps her arms and screams uncontrollably when she becomes excited or frustrated.  Caroline is autistic; she is not deaf and she is not without feelings.


 I am Caroline's mother, caretaker and biggest advocate.  I am not deaf and I am not without feelings.


On more than one occasion a seemingly typical but curious adult has asked—within hearing distance of Caroline—What is wrong with her.  My visceral response: "Nothing is wrong with her but I question your upbringing and manners.  And to be clear when I say nothing is wrong with Caroline, I meant there was nothing wrong with her before she heard a total stranger ask: What is wrong with her."


Different, not less. 

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4 comments:

  1. Julie DFebruary 20, 2014 at 7:56 PM

    There is nothing wrong with Caroline. She is a beautiful girl.

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  2. KacieFebruary 21, 2014 at 9:21 AM

    I agree. I wonder what gets in to people sometimes. Thanks for the support, Julie.

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  3. findingcoopersvoiceMarch 6, 2014 at 2:45 AM

    First, she is absolutely beautiful. Wow. Second, people are jerks. I once had someone ask me if Cooper has been 'tested'. I was like 'tested for what? Can you be more specific?' And then they back peddled. Stay strong mama. Half the battle for us is protecting our kids from mean people.

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  4. KacieMarch 6, 2014 at 6:37 AM

    You are so right--half of the battle is protecting our kids. Thanks for reading!!

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