On Friday, August 6, Britanny took to Facebook to open up about her 5-year-old son Michael, who was born with a rare condition called Treacher Collins syndrome. The condition is a rare genetic disorder characterized by distinctive abnormalities of the head and face. With the new school session fast approaching, the mother is pleading parents to teach their children the valuable lesson of acceptance and kindness as her son special needs son is getting ready to begin kindergarten.
She says that this is the same syndrome that the lead character in the popular child’s novel Wonder and the 2017 film adaption of the same had. Although Michael appears to be different physically, his mother says that he is mentally the exact same as all the other children (maybe even a bit smarter).
With the first week of kindergarten is just around the corner Denison decided to share her thoughts about her son going to school on Facebook and to remind parents about educating their kids to be kind. “I’m so excited, yet so scared,” expressed the mom alongside a picture of herself with her son. “As he gets older, he is starting to realize that he is different. He is also becoming more affected by the whispers and stares.”
Continuing her plea, she wrote, “Would you please take a moment to talk to your children before school starts next week? Talk to them about using words like ‘different’ and ‘unique’ instead of ‘weird’ and ‘scary.’ Talk to them not only about being friendly and kind, but also about being a friend.” Next, she had an important request. “Please don’t tell them not to stare! Instead let them know that if they are going to stare, it’s polite to also say ‘Hi.’Teach them to stand up for the kid in the room who is being picked on, and to sit with the kid who is being excluded.”
Often time, we see that kids pick up most of their habits and behavioral patterns from their parents. To ensure that they don’t learn anything that’s offensive or wrong, Denison requested parents practice what they preach by “acceptance and kindness in the way you speak to other adults.” The Midlothian-based mom continued, “This includes the cashier, the drive-thru employee, and the guy who didn’t use his turn signal!” Concluding the emotional post, the realtor said she welcomes people to approach her and her son and to strike up a conversation if they happen to run into them.
Image Source – Facebook Post