Went to the elementary school art show last night. Lots of lovely art hanging from the walls, displayed in the cafeteria and in the classrooms. Paper mache dragons. Ceramic tribal masks. Robots made from junk. Seems Charlie's series on oceanic creatures urinating in the wild didn't make the cut. Whatever. I guess the art teacher and I will agree to disagree on what is art. I didn't see one thing getting peed on.
Seeing Charlie interact with his little classmates is a major highlight for me. Especially on a night like this where there's a little red carpet buzz in the air. Kindergarten girls with their tiny voices, saying "hi Charlie," in unison as they pass him in the hallway, absolutely makes my day.
Before the school year started, I wondered how Charlie would be treated by the other children. It would destroy me if he was teased or taunted because he has diabetes. Just thinking about it right now is making my heart race. I'm thrilled to be a fly on the wall when Charlie walks into the classroom, and a trio of semi-toothless boys shout out "Charlie!" like he's Norm from Cheers.
In Charlie's classroom, we made our way over to a section of the wall where the kids' schoolwork was on display. We looked for Charlie's picture, but couldn't find it immediately. The assignment was based on the book Elmer, by David Mckee. Elmer wasn't like all of the other elephants. His bright multicolored skin made him feel different. He wanted to be grey like the others.
Scanning the wall for Charlie's, we read some of the other pictures, which asked the question: "How are you different?"
"I am different because ... I have red hair."
"I am different because ... I run fast."
"I am different because ... I'm an older brother."
I suspect you know where this is headed.
We found Charlie's.
"I am different because ... I have diabetes."
Ouch! A swift uppercut to the gut.
Susanne and I stepped away from the words like it was a poisonous snake, gathered our kids and left.
Me?
I am different because ...
At 37 years old, I still tie my shoes using the "bunny ears" method and because I have a girl's name. Oh, and I have gills.
How are you different?
Well, he IS different because he has diabetes. He's probably relieved he doesn't have red hair ;)
I wonder how Carey Grant felt about his name.
I am different because I am left handed and I like the way cellulite looks....but not on me. Weird. I know.
I am different because I never stop thinking about my child's diabetes. I guess that makes us kind of the same.
Very weird, Shannon. Very, very weird.
I am different because... I put on one sock and one shoe and then the other sock and shoe. I guess most people put on both their socks and then both of their shoes.
I didn't realize this was different until I watched an old episode of Archie Bunker and he made fun of "meat head" for doing it.
That's just a mild taste of my differences. I'm not throwing it all out there like Shannon. Cellulite? Really? Then you would love me.
Pennylane: I'm also a "sock, shoe, sock, shoe" person. This way the sole of the sock doesn't get dirty from the floor but goes right into the (arguably more germ-laden) shoe. I heard on one of the morning news programs some time ago, that "sock, shoe, sock, shoe" people are much more likely to be serial killers than "sock, sock, shoe, shoe" people. That definitely did NOT make my day!!
Carey: diabetes IS something that makes Charlie different from his classmates, and it's a something for which there is low likelihood of repetition in a given kindergarten class. That the teacher accepts Charlie's diabetes and has taught the other children to accept it will leave a positive lasting impression upon him.
Ouch, Carey! The pain of having a 'challenged' child creeps up and bites your butt at the oddest moments. I remember one evening looking at a beautiful rainbow with my husband...then we both looked at each other and burst into tears, because our son is blind...and will never be able to see that rainbow. I cry when I buy new shoes that he will wear but never wear out because he can't walk, or when I pass by McDonalds and know he will never be able to eat a french fry.
But.....he has an adorable smile, killer laugh and is the most happy, peaceful child on the planet. He will never know the pain of being different because he isn't able to understand. The pain is mine.
Charlie and his classmates are in a precious position. They accept and deal with diabetes on a totally different level than us. It is simply part of their world from the beginning...not something that intruded upon an otherwise 'normal' world. The kids at church who have grown up with Elijah simply incorporate him into their world naturally. They help tube feed him, push his chair, help him with crafts, hold his hand when he has a seizure....it's all very normal for them.
You and Susanne experience much different pain than Charlie. Sounds like the little Mr. is going to be just fine! It's okay to hurt.Please take care of your hearts! You will be okay too!
Mousie
I am different because I also tie my shoes the bunny-eared way and have been doing it that way since I was 4.
I am different because I wear my socks inside out because the seam of the toe bothers both feet when I wear them right side in.
I am also different because secretly, I think Miss Frangelica Bottle could kick Mrs. Butterworth's ass in a Smack Down.
I am not different because I have diabetes, but the way I view the world is slightly different because I am a diabetic.
k2