Why a Drawing of a Line of Kids Stopped Me In My Tracks

341 words

3 minute read

It was a typical Thursday and Tara's turn to write to our young friend, who has CP just like us.  Because she's often in a rush to get out the door and go to work, I tell her I'll get the letter in an envelope, addressed, stamped and mailed, just leave it on the table.

So, I read the letter (because we alternate writing, both of us like to be aware of what's already been said so we don't repeat ourselves.)  It was a cute little anecdote about how all the kids were to be off school that day, and how busy my sis imagined her day to be because all the kids would be hungry and bored.  I told Tara I thought it was cute, including the drawing at the bottom, which depicted a stressed-out looking Tara womaning the register, and a long line of children, who are waiting to pay for their goodies.

It was after she left for work that I studied the picture more carefully, and saw that in a line of seven kids, one used a wheelchair and another used a walker.  Both carried their money independently.  Both kids were smiling.

[Image is: Tara's drawing at the bottom of her letter: depicting the above-described line of 7 kids.  One says, "Can I have pizza?" while another says, "I want an Icee."]

I loved the picture so much, I asked her if I could blog about it and share it.  So, with her permission, I am.  Why?  Because representation of people with disabilities is rarely so seamless.  So thought-of, so respectful.  I love it.  I love it because it shows we are a part of the bigger community.  It shows we are happy.  It shows we are independent.  It even shows my sis (with invisible disabilities herself) doing a job.

It's rare and it's awesome, and I'm sharing it because I think you might think it's awesome, too.

Do you?  Let me know in the comments...

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