Often, he is not included in conversations.
CP Challenge: Be talked about. Or, be ignored.
If you're brave enough, wear a sign that asks people to ignore you. Try to join conversations, where people are not listening to you and where no one is looking at you. Ask someone to talk about you, while you are there, but to ignore you.
This happens to Dexter; all the time.
Most people are overwhelmed by Dexter's lack of words. They don't know how to have a conversation with someone who cannot speak back. (This is hard!)
They don't know how to phrase questions so Dexter can answer.
They don't know how to watch him, to see his answers.
Some people assume Dexter lacks the intelligence to understand. (Wrong!)
Maybe they just feel too uncomfortable.
So, they ignore him.
And, this hurts. It hurts when his sisters are acknowledged and Dexter is ignored.
It hurts when people talk about him, but not to him.
It hurts, because Dexter understands. He realises he is being ignored.
We see him waving his hands, excited to see someone and then watch, as they walk right past him without saying a word. We watch Dexter turn his head, ready for a hello and feel sad when nothing is said.
We are just so lucky that Dexter is so determined and resilient.
And, when he finally gets some attention, he loves it.
To all the people who know Dexter and who speak to him, we are so, so grateful to you.
Dexter knows. He knows who doesn't believe in him. He always has.
He won't show some people what he can do, because they don't believe in him.
To the people who talk to Dexter, know that he respects you for this and values the time you give him.
Thank you.
#DextersReality #cerebralpalsy #love
Do You Have A Question?
Dexter’s Beach Dash
Labels! Be Gone!
Out of the Mouths of Babes
Photographing CP
They Want Octopus Arms
Little Fingers Reaching
Something to Say But No Words to Say It
And Then, They Whispered about Me
Medic Alert Bracelet
Dexter Was Walking - dreams
Dexter's First Month
Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
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