Earlier this evening, Kaylee, Brayden and myself headed down to the Fresno Convention Center for a Big Fashion show rehearsal for Kaylee. The fashion show is tomorrow...well I should of known how some of the people may be just from our fitting experience at Carmel Kids in Fresno. Kaylee is sporting $185 jeans, $125 jacket, $58 t-shirt, $40 purse. Very cute though I must say...BUT NO WAY would I ever spend that much money on childrens clothing...ANYWAY...We show up and all is going well until Brayden decides to be a little vocal...just talking baby talk...well when I picked him out of his car seat ALL EYES WERE ON ME! I'm thinking to myself "What is everybody looking at?" NONE of these gals or men had smiles on their faces...OK, I get it...maybe they just are listening to see if he will stop being so loud??? Mind you there is loud music being played in the back ground as they are testing speakers, what not...then there is a lady trying to give all of us instructions for the kids in the show. As I am holding him, one mom leans over and says," Boy he's not happy." I'm like,"you've got to be kidding me...he is happy as a clam! He has just discovered he has a loud voice. Then there are some moms whispering across from me to each other! At this point I am FURIOUS! They are talking about my baby and I am about ready to walk out! Then I see Kaylee take the runway...so of course I can't. Have people no heart or kindness when they see a child with Down Syndrome? I have ALWAYS smiled at these type of children and parents all of my life! Most of these moms though you could tell that they keep up with the jones! I'm sure they will buy all the outfits their children model and then that tells me that they really don't know where their heart is for others! VERY SELFISH! Don't get me wrong...there are plenty of wealthy people with Huge hearts...but not at this event tonight.
I have been told by many moms I meet that I will have encounters like this one and you just have to put it behind you...but it is hard. Brayden is such an angel and I am so protective of him! Of course I know there is not going to be positive feedback from all people that come in contact with us...this is just the first for me since he has been born! I went from a HIGH to a real LOW today. Highlight of my day was going to my monthly meeting with the Down Syndrome society group...(bunch of DS kids, Babies and parents and sometimes other family members) today, my father-in law went with us...GREAT DAY...But then I had to END it on tonight's note...I am just so thankful those kind of people are not in my life! Thanks to all of you for all the love you always show us! It means more than you know...thanks for listening to my first neg..experience... I will hopefully post some pics of the fashion show...there are over 800 people going to be at this event. GO MODEL KAYLEE!
I have been told by many moms I meet that I will have encounters like this one and you just have to put it behind you...but it is hard. Brayden is such an angel and I am so protective of him! Of course I know there is not going to be positive feedback from all people that come in contact with us...this is just the first for me since he has been born! I went from a HIGH to a real LOW today. Highlight of my day was going to my monthly meeting with the Down Syndrome society group...(bunch of DS kids, Babies and parents and sometimes other family members) today, my father-in law went with us...GREAT DAY...But then I had to END it on tonight's note...I am just so thankful those kind of people are not in my life! Thanks to all of you for all the love you always show us! It means more than you know...thanks for listening to my first neg..experience... I will hopefully post some pics of the fashion show...there are over 800 people going to be at this event. GO MODEL KAYLEE!
5 comments:
Thank you Darlena for all that you do for other people who aren't lucky enough to have someone like Brayden in their life. Like I said you are going to do so much for Brayden and countless other families who have someone with special needs in their family. Don't let this get to you. I'm sure people don't mean to be insensitive. I love love love your blog. Your kids are so beautiful. You're a mover and a shaker. Don't be discouraged or upset. I want you to get in touch with my mother in law. Her son has down syndrome and she is an educator as well. I think you two would have a lot to talk about.
I can't believe there are people in the world like that. You think that adults would act older than their own little child...I guess that's too much to expect! Little do they know that parents are specially chosen to have children with special needs so they should be getting tips from you seeming that you and Jared are awesome parents and better than most to be chosen to have Brayden. I love you Dolly and I'm sorry that experience had to happen to you!!
Thank you Susie and Tiffany! Your words mean so much to me...I am better now just hit me hard the first experience...so many moms that I have met said it will happen sooner or later...so hopefully next time I won't get so hurt by it...I can't believe how insensitive people are either. I know that our lives are that more enriched with Brayden and that is all that matters...hopefully one day the world will learn to accept EVERYONE! Susie...feel free to give your mother-n-law my info...does she have a blog or email? Talk to you all soon...this blogging is so much fun!
Cute blog, and of course a topic that is near and dear to my heart. Brendan is now 10 1/2 so I have a hard time NOT remembering having a child with special needs (and don't all children have special needs in their own way?). Unfortunately because he appears "normal" people are always doing a double take when the vocalizations start...a normal boy with strange sounds and crazy behavior...must be the mom's fault ;) At least now that he's older it's more obvious that he is mentally impaired than when he was a non-stop 3 year old. I wish that I could say that it gets better, but in reality, you just get thicker skin. Shine on, girl!
Darlena- I am so sorry about that! With my experiences, people don't understand! I am glad to hear that Brayden is happy and loving life...he is such a joy! I can't wait to see him again....
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