Oh that seems like probably the hardest job to have with that particular condition. Imagine having to explain to a new group of 10-year-olds every year why you have a conjoined twin. And I’m sure there are kids who say not nice things about them.
Having been a teacher, you'd be surprised. Kids are shockingly accepting and honest little beings. Their honesty is refreshing. I've got Parkinson's these days so I only substitute teach now. Kids are dramatically less awkward than adults when you tell them. They'll just straight ask why my hands shake. And then you tell them and instead of being weird about it they'll say "Damn, that sucks" with perfectly sincere empathy and then ask how you text on your phone.
And they're going to say mean shit to anyone and everyone. Don't think you're safe because you look normal. They'll find your weakness and blurt it out.
As someone who has lived with a fairly mild physical disability since birth, it is 100% the adults who have always had an issue with my disability more than the kids(even when I was a child). Kids will stare, sometimes mimic(toddlers), and ask but will still mostly treat me like they do everyone else(for better or worse). Adults will add the shaming aspect and act like I shouldn’t be interacted with “because it’s rude” or they don’t want to hurt me/my feelings(when really it’s more about them not wanting to feel uncomfortable). The fake act of caring while being actively shunned through dismissive pity is so “othering” and 100% worse(stigmatizing really).
It’s also interesting to note that no kid has ever come up to me to tell me that my disability inspired them or if they can pray for me because I’m especially cared about by god…Yikes! I sometimes really appreciate the authenticity kids tend to move through the world with.
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u/viggicat531 1d ago
I sure hope they are not working for that same college....