Yesterday I saw an open letter that a lady had written to some people she had been judged by whilst out shopping with her daughter. In my working life I support people with learning disabilities including autism and pica and her words rang very true to me. Thank you Sammi for letting me share.
Sammi is Mum to Skye who is 3 years old and partner to Arron who she has been with for over 6 years, since they were 17. Sammi started Clear Skye’s after Skye was born as she didn’t want to be unemployed but also wanted to be home with Skye as she has had a lot of medical issues since birth. Please take a look at her page as she has some stunning personalised laser engraved gifts x
Dear passers by,
This is Skye. She’s 3 years old. She has autism spectrum disorder, pica and hypermobility syndrome.
To the lady in Paperchase telling me Skye was naughty, I’m irresponsible and I shouldn’t give her things before I’ve paid for them, thanks for your input. Pica is a disorder where she feels the uncontrollable need to eat non edible things. Skye’s thing is paper. I’m sorry she ate the barcode before we paid but she isn’t naughty and I am not irresponsible.
To the member of staff in Wilko, no I wouldn’t rather take my child who is in the middle of a meltdown outside and come back in a minute. I think that’s what you would rather me do and I am disgusted with your attitude.
To the man trying to get me to change my cable provider, I am already with Virgin, I already think your service is shit and can you not see I’m trying to comfort a screaming, scared and upset child?
To the people just staring at me, whispering to each other and the blatant judging of my parenting, I hope your children don’t have bad days like this.
And to the old lady in Sainsburys who told me Skye was too old to be in a buggy and she should be walking, thank you for your input. Skye has hypermobility syndrome. Walking long distances for her is painful. So she goes in a buggy when she is too tired to save her little legs from hurting.
Today was hard. Never felt so judged by so many people. The noise of builders, cars, the beeping to cross the road and music in the shop was all too much for Skye. So she dealt with it the only way she knows how. To cover her ears, shake and cry. She was scared. She was upset. And she was panicking. She was NOT being naughty.
And despite this, I love taking my little beauty shopping. I will not apologise if she is an inconvenience to your shopping trip!