Here we are with Ruth
Last Saturday, we went to cheer on the Special Olympics competion in San Fran at the Golden Gate Park. We met with other MBA students from USF (U of San Fran) and Stanford. The best part was cheering on the players and helping Arden feel comfortable with people who are different from him.
I remember last year, we were at the Happy Hollow Zoo looking at the train exhibition they have. After looking at the exhibition for a while, a mentally handicap person stood next to Arden to watch the train go around the track. Arden noticed the man, and he moved to the other side of the window. Then, the man (who was following the train) also moved to where Arden was standing. Arden moved away from the window and went over to a bench. At that moment I realized Arden was feeling uncomfortable with this man, and kept staring at him. I finally asked him what was the matter, and he told me the man was scary. I tried to explain to him, that the man wasn't scary, he was just different, along with more explanation. I decided tointroduce ourselves to the guy and talk to him; and help Arden realize he wasn't "scary." However, as we were about to approach him, his group was leaving, and I felt that I had missed out on a very important lesson for Arden.
I feel that going to the Special Olympic events this past month, has helped him feel comfortable being around people who are different than us. I have a lot of love for people with special needs, especially since I've worked with them in the past. So I hope, my children will feel comfortable around them, too. To not be afraid of them, just because they're not like us. Mentally and physically handicap people get ridiculed so much, that I hope that we can make a small difference, even it it's just not being scared of them, giving them a smile, a high five, or just saying hello.
Of course there's no way we can go to Golden Gate Park without hitting the children's playground!
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