She'd say that, because I'm non-verbal and can't say that I have had enough.
She'd say that because I sometimes get sick, if I eat too much.
So, she'd say I didn't have to finish my dinner.
Then, she worked it out.
I was listening! I was waiting.
I was waiting for her to say those exact words...
And then, I would close my mouth and refuse to eat!
Cheeky, right?!
But now, I've been busted. Mum and Dad know I am listening.
Now, Mum has those conversations behind my back, and silently... sometimes with weird gestures and pointing.
And, the person feeding me sometimes shows Mum my bowl of dinner, silently, waiting for her to nod or shake her head. After her signal, they will let me know whether I have to keep eating or not.
They busted me!
Now, they don't let me know if I have to eat all my dinner.
And so, I often eat most of it. (I'm putting on weight, too, which is awesome!)
Sometimes, people forget I am nearby and have inappropriate conversations while I am there. I guess people assume I am not listening, because I don't say anything during the conversation.
Sometimes, people complain about me; how hard my cerebral palsy makes things. People sometimes talk about fun surprises and forget I'm listening.
Sometimes, people say things about me and forget that I am listening.
I guess some people might think I cannot understand.
That's not true!
I do understand.
I don't.
My hearing is fine!
I guess this wasn't a big issue before... (Me listening to grown up conversations) but, I am nearly eight years old.
I am listening.
We want to ask people to remember that.
If you are having a conversation you would not talk about in front of any other seven year old, I probably shouldn't be hearing it, either.
We want to ask people not to make judgements and make inappropriate comments about me; my abilities, my disabilities or my behaviours, while I am listening.
Don't complain about my wheelchair or special equipment.
Don't complain about how hard my disabilities make things.
I do eavesdrop.
Rationalise with me... Bargain with me... Bribe me...
Tell me you believe in me and I will continue to progress.
At school, I try so hard with my learning because I know my teachers believe in me. I know they see me as a learner.
Make negative comments about me and I might just start believing them.
(If you hear someone make a comment like that, watch my eyes. Watch my face. You will see me concentrate on their words for a while, as I think about them.)
Always include me in conversations.
If you say hello to everyone else... say hello to me. I'm waiting... you might see it in my stillness and the way my head is up and tilted towards you.
My sister thought the key might be blue or red.
I laughed at that.
Everyone know Santa uses magical dust to get inside our homes on Christmas Eve!
I'm always listening, even if I don't join the conversation with words of my own.
(I stopped believing in Santa when I was young, but I am happy to play along.)
Please, be careful with the things you say around me.
I hear you.
I understand you.
My cheekiness is a sign of my intelligence.
I think. I question. I wonder.
If I hear you doubting me, or judging me... I might start believing you.
If I hear you saying negative comments... I might start believing them.
Please, choose your words carefully when I am around.
#cerebralpalsy #nonverbal #raisingawareness
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Dexter's First Month
Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
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