Food for Thought...

Recently I saw a photo on Facebook and its really stuck with me...

These few little words haven't left my head since I saw them. This is something I wish more people would share and spread this message across the world. It really could make all the difference.

When I take Tom out, to be completely honest I don't notice anyone else around me. When I take Tom out my whole focus is on him and making sure we have the most wonderful time together making memories. This doesn't mean that I don't know that people stare.

I know that most of the time the stares aren't meant in a mean or negative way, people don't realise how they are perceived. I also think people don't realise how obvious they are sometimes. Most of the time people will just smile as they walk past. This is OK, it is natural for people to be curious.

However the 'GAWPER' is a different story!

Anyone who stares for too long and turns into a 'GAWPER' gets the 'Paddington Bear Hard Stare' There is no reason to stare so long that you make people feel uncomfortable. You are staring at another human being, someone who has feelings just the same as you.

Different isn't less, sometimes it can be so much more!

I think it really would make such a difference if children were taught rather than to not stare, to say hello and make a connection. The world is a very diverse place with lots of unique people. We should stop fixating on 'normal' because no-one is truly 'normal'. Teaching children when they are young that it isn't OK to stare, and you should always say 'hello' instead would change the way people think as they grow up. Society has changed so much for the better but there is always room for improvement.

So many children currently are told to 'not stare' therefore feeding the child's natural instinct to be curious. By telling a child to not stare, you are confirming that something is different and almost saying that just because someone may be in a wheelchair or they may have medical equipment attached to them, maybe they walk differently to other people or make different vocalisations they are to be avoided and not even acknowledged. By encouraging a child to say hello, you are supporting the child to make a positive connection.

Everyone's differences should be celebrated, not avoided.

Whilst Tom and I were at the zoo on Wednesday we had a wonderful experience of this. Whilst Tom and I were getting some water in the restaurant, a little girl no more than 5 was staring at Tom, I mean she was being very obvious about it as most young children are. Her Mother noticed this and to be honest I expected the usual 'don't stare' or even for her to ignore her child's behaviour. I was pleasantly surprised. The Mother knelt down beside her daughter and said 'Say hello to the little Boy'. I was so happy! As she was leaving, she then made her daughter say goodbye to Tom. It was so lovely to see a mother support her child to make this positive change. All be it small, it made a huge difference to our day. I won't ever forget that mother, she was amazing.

I just want to say that there are so many good people in the world. Kind people who have respect for other human beings. The majority of people don't stare and I think its important to remember this.

So rather than saying 'Don't stare' say 'Say hello' instead. Lets change the world one hello at a time...