I Should Have Said...

To the gentleman at the stables: Thanks for informing me five minutes after you met me that Erik "needs a sibling." Wow! I had absolutely no earthly idea. Now I can follow your advice and start being a good mother. In the meantime, though, please get out of my uterus. I am a very busy woman with things to do.

Oh, one more thing. NEVER label anybody's child you know next to nothing about "severely mentally retarded," like you did my son so casually, unless the parents say these words first, demonstrate they are comfortable with them, and/or they actually even apply. I know parents whose lips have yet to utter those words because of the pain and shock they felt the first time they heard them. I could care less what your credentials are, what your title is, or where the hell you happened to work in the past with developmentally disabled children. You seem like you mean well and have a good heart, but your words will undoubtedly someday destroy a parent who is new at this when you blindside them as you did me.

Sigh...

What is Williams Syndrome?

These cards I made serve as a quick answer to a question that is still difficult for me to answer. I have been looking for a standard script to spread awareness without becoming emotional or stuttering out a lengthy explanation and find this is the best method for the time being. The curious and concerned can look additional information up later themselves using this card, yet this method is anonymous enough that I can give them strangers who, heaven forbid, treat either of us rudely out of ignorance. I purchased a pretty silver cigarette case in which to store them in my purse so I will have them with me at all times.