It's OK

I just need to take a moment to get something off my mind that has been bothering me. As a Mother of a nine-year-old, I am all too aware of the embarrassing situations in which you can end up in thanks to your child. I can remember several situations where I would have loved nothing more than for the floor to open up and swallow me whole!
We have encountered a few situations recently where children have made comments or asked questions about Addie and their parents just don't know how to respond. Keep in mind, if I am close enough to hear what children say, I am also close enough to hear how the parent responds! It is OK to talk about Addie when I am within hearing distance. It is OK to tell a child that Addie may look a little different than they are. It is OK to answer a child when they ask "what's wrong with her?". It is OK to let me talk to a child about Addie. It is OK to be honest. It is not OK to ignore a child when they ask questions or make a comment. That is extremely hurtful to my family.
I can't figure out if people associate "shame" or embarrassment to having a special needs baby, but if they do, they are so very wrong! Addie has taught me more about this world than anyone ever could and I am so very proud of who she is. Please talk to the children in your life and be honest with them. I have a standard statement that I use when I talk to children about Addie and it is very straight forward and matter of fact.
It is OK that she is different and it is OK to acknowledge that.