Of course I could write to Colin Brewer and respond to everything he's said but I don't wish to indulge him. I cannot help but think that he is either desperately publicity seeking or actually insane or both. How a man such as this can actually be in public office is beyond my comprehension and if people actually voted for him I hope they feel suitably ashamed now.
His disgusting words have hurt people and for that I cannot stay silent. As much as I would like him to be ignored, he has been given a platform and the danger is that other people will share that platform and although I am certain that it will only be a minority it is too dangerous for our children's futures to ignore.
But instead of writing about him I am going to write about myself and my son. I am going to show him how he can't take my positivity away from me, no matter how hard he tries, and he cannot stop my son from being an incredibly valuable member of our society despite the fact that he's only four. Actually far more valuable already in his short life than the likes of Colin Brewer, but that's the last time I shall mention his name.
My Xavier is an inspiration to me. He had a relatively late diagnosis of Down's Syndrome when he was two months old and it did affect me adversely in the beginning. But the mother in me reared its head and I realised that no matter what this diagnosis meant, he was still my son, the baby I had carried, given birth to and breastfed. Down's Syndrome or not he was still Xavier, and always would be. When my son looks at me I see him, the person not the label that he's been given.
My Xavier is my education, just as any child should be for their parents. He has a condition but he doesn't let that stop him from doing what he wants to do, or from doing what I don't want him to do. I am bringing him up to fulfil his full potential, whatever that might be, and he is thriving, flourishing and showing that he is capable of so much if only he is given the chance. ALL CHILDREN NO MATTER WHAT DESERVE A CHANCE.
I could carry on talking about Xavier all day, but here's the thing, all children are here to teach us, and those who perhaps have extra burdens to bear can teach us even more. As long as we are willing to learn. Because, we, as society need to open our eyes and ears and learn. I believe wholeheartedly that our society is a continually evolving society and in order to grow, develop and flourish, we need diversity just as we need air to breath. We need to celebrate differences, because if we are all the same then the world will stagnate. To me is it only the ignorant, uncreative and unintelligent people who would want this.
We must learn from the magic of our children, but we must also teach them, that is our dual role. We must teach each of our children, no matter what situation they are in that they do have an incredibly valuable place in this world, no one must ever think that they don't have a contribution to make. So -called disability's should not be defined merely as limitations. There may be things that you can't do so focus on what you can do. That applies to all of us. I still struggle to tell my left from my right and don't even try to give me a map. But, you bet your life that everyone on this planet has talents, and we owe it to our children to help to discover what they are and nurture them. That's how I am teaching my son, in response to every wonderful thing he is teaching me.
www.faithbleasdale.com
