These days you hear a lot of talk about inclusion. It’s something we all fight for. We often hear about how it’s what’s fair and right for the kids but we often don’t talk about the whole picture, so I thought I’d share an experience I recently had.

Firstly, let’s talk about what we DO hear about inclusion. As I said, we often hear about how good it is for the child being included. They don’t feel as left out or different, they feel included, loved, and like they are like everyone else. It can mean a lot to them and you often see if on the smiles on their faces. Inclusion gives equal opportunities and allows those with disabilities to believe further in themselves and their abilities.

And I sat there, watching, with tears welling in my eyes. He wasn’t my child, but it meant so much to me, to see this young boy included, joining in with everyone else, dancing away and loving every minute of it. I thought of Hope, and I imagined her in his place. It was a moment of relief as it showed that she could be included, and that it wouldn’t be a hinderance. I watched the kids around this young boy, dancing with smiles also. They weren’t avoiding this child, they accepted him. It filled me with a sense of joy.

This is the unknown effect of inclusion. The effect we don’t often talk about. It’s the effect that inclusion has on other family members. Inclusion isn’t just for the kids, it’s for the families of those children too. As a parent, we all want our kids to be included, to be loved and to be accepted. Inclusion allows us to see this happen. Inclusion gives us a sense of peace. It brings us joy. And it’s not just parents, it’s the brothers and sisters, the aunts the uncles. Everyone feels the joy when they see the acceptance.

So next time you see inclusion in action, take a look around and realise, that moment of inclusion affects not just the child, and the people you see, but many others who you can’t see, who are not there at that moment.