I need some advice on my son who was born with only one hand and now he is going to be turning five. We had him fitted for a prosthetic when he was one and we realized it was pointless and uncomfortable. But lately when we go to the playground or even the mall other children have been treating him badly, like running screaming from him or crying when he touches them. I think he is getting his feelings hurt. Te teacher of the preschool he attends told me that a little girl started to cry because my son touched her with his stump and my heart was broken. I have been considering fitting him with a new prosthetic and letting him start kindergarten with it so that the children won't hurt his feelings or treat him differently because a prosthetic looks and feels real the children will never know. AT the same time, I do not want to do something that will teach my son to be ashamed of his body or make him think that I don't love him just the way he is.
I took my friend, who is also an Early Intervention employee to a park with us and she was apalled at the childrens reactions to my son and the fact that the other mothers did not tell their kids to stop being mean and I just do not know what to do. I want to do what is best for him and I don't know what is best for him. I think the hardest part is the fact that my son in so kind hearted he does not know that the children are afraid of him, he think they are playing and they want him to chase them. I get so hurt and angry.
If you can believe it, having a child with just one hand and no other medical problem is a blessing. I have two autistic children and if I could cure their autism by trading it for a birth defect of the hand I would take that trade anyday. I know my son will have a wonderful life after school I just worry about the time he will be in school because children can be so hurtful.
Sorry I wrote so much, let me know what you think ↓
|
