People, I am going to write about the reasons why my little sister, Jodie, acts the way she does.
First of all, her noises. She makes sad noises, and she makes happy, contented noises. She also screams or squeals if she is excited. Don't worry about them. She can't talk, and her noises are her means of communicating. That is her way.
Secondly, her wheelchair. She uses a wheelchair because she, obviously, can't walk. She was born with severe brain damage and cerebral palsy, and she needs a wheelchair for mobility. Her legs are just too weak to be able to support her 40-pound body, even if she was to use crutches.
Thirdly, her feeding tube (which is well hidden beneath her clothes, unless it's connected to the i.v. pole when she is having her meals). She can't swallow or chew her food like you or I can; she is prone to choking, and the feeding tube prevents this.
And fourthly, her diapers and plastic pants beneath her own outer pants. She can't use the bathroom like you or I can; she is just too disabled to be able to do so. This is why she wears diapers.
Jodie may be severely handicapped, but to me she's just Jodie, and nothing more. She is my little sister, and she is a lot of fun to be around. She is quick to laugh, and she never bosses me around or calls me bad names. She loves to be read to or held, and she loves hugs and kisses just like any other little kid. She loves music (country is her favorite; she seems to like Alan Jackson the best), and cartoon shows always hold her attention.
Jodie is a sweet little kid with a loving heart. She may not be able to communicate her needs, but she is able to feel emotion:
sadness, happiness, surprise, anger--she feels them all; and she'll be the first to let you know if she is sad, glad, mad, or whatever. She loves to laugh, and she loves to sing (although her singing's not that good; still, she still tries!!).
Jodie may not be able to read, write, talk, walk, go to the bathroom on her own, or do things other 10-year-old kids do, but she is still my little sister, and I happen to love her a lot. She is a special child who just happens to have a lot of special medical and physical problems; but she is as important to me as anyone else in my family. She shouldn't be treated any differently, and I don't want people pointing out her differences. Just treat my sister like anyone else.
She could probably teach someone a thing or two about compassion and what it means to love and be loved...
The reason I wrote this is because there are people who STILL don't understand Jodie and why she is the way she is. I wrote this so to clarify things.
This second book in Edie's 'Puddle' series is filled with wonderful catchy rhyming poems that have positive nostalgic messages. Her whimsical illustrations carry the poems along on ripples of warm vibrant colours.
All About how Lila chooses how to handle her "worries" about the first day of school. Another Mom's Choice Award Seal of Excellence recipient in the "Kids with Worries" book series.
