As parents, we always have worries and concerns for our kids. One of those is around the friends that our kids will have or whether they will have any at all. For Ben and I, this is a huge concern. You hear stories of kids that are “different” not being accepted by others. You hear about them sitting on their own at lunch time with no friends to play with. We don’t like to see Hope as different, but that doesn’t mean others will do the same. We have spoken to each other multiple times about whether Hope is going to fit in and our concerns around that, and we really don’t know what is going to happen until it happens. Getting close to 3 years old and Hope is unable to communicate verbally, developmentally she is behind others her age and she uses a walker to get around. There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of this, but we do wonder what the other kids think. I know it’s probably a silly thing to worry about when she is still so young. I know at 3, kids are more likely to be accepting and not notice these things, but what if they did? What would that mean for Hope? Would she realise what is going on?

So with all of that said, I have to share a little bit of a story that we received from daycare just the other week. For privacy reasons, I have removed names. Hope and another 2 girls were playing at daycare with a little wagon/wheelbarrow. One girl asked another “your turn” as she pointed to the wagon. When this girl said no, the first turned to Hope and said “your turn in” as she pointed to the tub. Hope responded, pointed to her chest and climbed in. The first girl said “ok let’s go” as they all moved on and after a short distance, they did it again and took turns. The educator said it was a wonderful example how the 3 girls practiced engaging with empathy and diversity in respecting each others levels or participation and communication styles in making their needs known.

When I read this little story, my immediate thought was “she has friends” and it made me smile. While our worries aren’t completely gone, Hope still has many years of school ahead of her, at least for now, I know she’s ok. I know the kids are playing with her and I know they see her as one of them. She’s not sitting on her own while everyone else plays together, and it’s all happening naturally.

Anything could happen over the coming years, but we will manage that as it comes. While there’s stories of kids being left alone, there’s also stories of the complete opposite where kids have helped others, stood up for others and have been friends regardless of any disability. I hope and pray every day that those will be Hope’s stories and I look forward to taking her to birthday parties and play dates with all the other kids.