Banned

These are the pictures my husband told me not to post on Facebook. He specifically does not want me to announce to the world that N needs hearing aids. I specifically do not want her to feel she should ever be ashamed or embarrassed because of it.

My older brother had hip surgery in the summer before starting the third grade. When school began, he had a tutor come to the house until his full body cast was removed. He then rode "the short bus" with the mentally disabled children until he was cleared from his braces (think something along the lines of what Forest Gump wore). During recess, he stood on the sidelines while the other kids played. If he was able to participate, the aids wouldn't let him, in case he'd hurt himself. Kids made fun of him in the hall, waiting for the bus, in the lunchroom. By the end of the school year, he was walking without his braces again, but the experience definitely changed him as a person as well.

We all want our children to feel "normal" - to be accepted and fit in. I just want to establish from the start for N that she is "good enough." I want her to know her worth, whatever challenges come in her life. Even now, she is amazing and a force to be reckoned with.

Look out world - Miss N can hear you now...