Because I'm afraid that's what my son would get called. No, now they say 'developmentally delayed'. I suppose that doesn't feel like a kick in the gut.
But I thought of this yesterday--how when I was a kid, the word used was retarded. I went to pick up Jairus from preschool and the cutest little girl kept saying 'bye' to him. Of course, Jairus didn't say anything back, didn't even really register any acknowledgement that anyone was speaking to him. Finally I asked the teacher what the little girls name was. I think it was Abby or something.
I said, "Jairus, Abby is saying bye to you".
He looked at Abby and went over and gave her a hug. Slightly embarrassed, I said, "Oh, look, he's saying good-bye too". The teacher said something about how nice that was. I don't think Abby concurred.
Then he spotted another little girl behind Abby and started towards her too. Now, you have to imagine this. My little boy tends to drool a little, has Harry Potter glasses that are always smudged, and wipes his nose all over his clothes. Not such a pretty picture. I think this other little girl concurred.
Oh, the look on her face. The teacher quickly said, 'Oh, Jairus, I don't think everyone wants a hug'. I pulled him away.
As we left, another little girl was leaving. Many kids were yelling out goodbyes as her and her mom walked out the door.
She waved.
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