[momraine]

The number one question I get asked about my two younger kids: What happened?
People want to know what happened to cause thier differences. Strangers, friends, parents of thier school mates, neighbors, people working in the grocery store, people at church, etc. I usually just stick with the simple he/she was born like that. P actually had another partial foot and had surgery to remove it to better fit into prosthetics, but we ignore that and the surgery on her hand. (she knows and has pictures and even molds of her hand and foot pre-surgery, but we don't tell strangers).
So anyway, I was just wondering if you guys get the same questions and how you answer them.

[bajj]

I don't have any answers for you, sorry. I think just the he was born that way is fine. Why is it people feel they have the right to ask such questions? You konw, when people find out I build my family through adoption I am frequently asked, "Why, can you not have your own kids?"

[Abdulina]

We get questions like that all the time and for Bojan, I let him answer how he wants. Hate it when they talk to me when he is right there. So, he takes over. Shows people if he wants, etc. Depends upon his mood. Also, our mood. We went to an amusement park in June called Tweetsie Railroad in NC. Obviously, trains all over. Well, we were sitting on a bench waiting for some of the kiddos to use the bathroom. I was in the bathroom at the time and my husband was w/ some of hte boys. Kid came up to my son and asked what happened to him. My husband replied "train accident." The kid left a little worried--LOL. We died laughing. Make humor out of some things. We get looks all the time w/ some of our kids. Especially, if it's quiet and our Deaf son is screaming. Then we have to explain he's deaf, yada, yada yada. Sometimes, I want to get a shirt that says "hey, I'm deaf-blind, what's your problem?" What kills me is the invisible disabilities of some of my kids. --they act much younger than they are. That, and some will just say the first thing that comes out of their mouths..urghh. I'll never forget years ago an incident. We were at teh Goodwill waiting to check out. My one daughter was with me. Can't remember but maybe 8 or 9yo at the time. Mildy mentally retarded so about half that age. So, anyhow, there was a lady standing in line in front of us w/ a very disfigured nose. Beside us was a rack of fur coats. Why in the world in NC they have fur coats, I'll never know--LOL. Anyhow, she felt one and said that is so nasty! Well, the lady in front of us turns around and continues scoulding my daughter and myself. I said, maam, she was referring to the fur coats! she grunted nad turned back around not believing it. The things we all put up w/ w/ our kids, huh?

Here's a story you all might be able to appreciate. We were at line at teh Walmart Deli. I had Bojan and Alex w/ me at the time. Bojan was in the cart w/ pants on w/ one of his old prosthetics(broken). Alex was beside the cart. Well, Alex starts turning his foot all the way around. I kept yelling at the boys to knock it off. Meanwhile, the crowd was growing. I'd say about 15 people there. Alex kept twisting Bojan's foot in a complete circle..laughing nonetheless. Bojan is screaming in agony as if this hurts. I'd had it and yelled at month. One lady steps up and says that I should really do something w/ Alex as he is really hurting his brother. I was boiling. At this point, I said "oh yeh?" You think he's in pain now!? I yanked on Bojan's leg and pulled the prosthetic straight off. The boys were roaring in hysterics, the crowd was appalled and I had a grin like a chesire cat! I was livid w/ those boys. His prosthetist continues to tell this story to all his patients. He loves it!

Got to run. Mine are taking ove rthe house!

take care,