Stories – The Winford Centre for Children and Women

Last month I went to a primary school to do a book reading. This book reading program is a pioneering initiative of The Winford Centre for Children and Women called ‘Inclusion Starts With Me’. As part of the initiative, we visit primary schools and read books about inclusion and disabilities to children. We also encourage them to ask questions and champion the inclusion cause.

So, at this particular school, the book I read to the kids was about a girl who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair but is thriving despite her challenges. At the end of the story, I asked if anyone would like to be the girl’s friend. Some kids said yes but some others said no. I then asked those who said no for their reason and one of them answered saying “I won’t like to catch what the girl has.” Yes, you read right! Some children (and adults) think disabilities are contagious diseases!

This is the whole point of my story and this post. Either due to the lack of information or as a result of being given the wrong information, these children have a perception of disabilities which affects the way they relate with other kids who have disabilities. A perception which if not corrected can lead them to become adults who are misinformed and result in a society which will still not be inclusive despite efforts through SDGs to change the narrative.

As parents, adults and leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure that children have access to the right information about the realities around them. We have a responsibility to ensure that children are taught about empathy and kindness. Most importantly, we have a responsibility to ensure that these children grow into better adults than we ever could be. If we need to change the way we see the world in order to change the world, then we must be prepared to do it.

So here are my questions to you:

1. What are you telling the children around you about disabilities?

2. Are you willing to be an inclusion champion?

If you would like us to visit your school for a reading session, please send an email to basirat.rshuaib@thewinfordcentre.org

Every now and then when we come across a child who is crying loudly, my son goes: “Look mummy he/she is crying like a baby”. I take my time to explain to him that saying that isn’t very nice first as the person in question can hear him, but more importantly because the child is crying because he/she is upset about something. Immediately he goes “awwww sorry” or “awww don’t cry”. I believe doing this consistently will help him realize that it is not nice to make fun of people who seem to be in a not so favourable position.

At other times, he might ask why someone is walking with a stick or limping and again, I take my time to explain to him the possible reasons. Each time though, I try to explain from the point of the hurt or discomfort the person may be feeling.

21st March was World Down Syndrome day and in order to celebrate, they were asked to come to school in colourful socks. When it was time to get dressed I told him he was getting a new pair of socks. Although he was excited but he still asked why (asking why comes with everything these days- even simple I love you!). So I told him it was to celebrate Down Syndrome day. Do you know what Down Syndrome is I asked. He said no. Hmmmnnn, how do you explain Down Syndrome to a 4.5 year old? So I decided to go the picture route. I turned to google and searched for images of Down Syndrome. Out of the several images, I picked out one which I believed would show clearly the physical features of a child with Down Syndrome. I then asked him: Look at this picture, what do you see? He replied the boy is smiling – awww he is so cute! For a moment I paused and looked at him and realised how so innocent a child’s mind is. He doesn’t see Down Syndrome, he only sees a child who is smiling and cute. I didn’t bother again with my explanation. We will save that for when he is slightly older and can understand science.

In the meantime my work continues. There is no stopping until I get him to see, understand and accept that people are much more than how they appear or how they don’t appear. Teaching a child empathy is our responsibility as parents and if you are not already doing so, it is not too late to start. The beautiful world we want for our children can only happen if we help them to become individuals with beautiful hearts.

Basirat R-Shuaib

Category: Stories

The increasing cost of our silence

Teaching children empathy and acceptance of other children with disabilities