No Such Thing as a Silly Question

 If there is on thing that having a child with special needs has taught me, it’s that there is no such thing as a silly question. Some of the questions I have asked doctors may have seemed off the wall, however to our situation were very pertinent, and vice versa. I can’t even begin to count the number of times the docs have asked me questions that have left a puzzling look on my face that most likely read – you’ve got to be joking.  But…..that’s how they learn about rare disorders, that’s how I learned that a  telescoping intestine (Intussusception) is exactly as it sounds.  Most importantly that is how others learn about life with a child who has special needs, CDG, and how amazing our ladybug is.

Yesterday we had a wonderful little visit at McMaster Children’s Hospital to get some monthly blood work done and heparinze her port-o-cath. The heparin prevents the blood from clotting and must be done monthly if the port is not accessed. I say wonderful because it has become such a routine, it was like dropping by to see family. We even stopped for a few cuddles from our favourite nurses on 3C.

While we were in the waiting room a pregnant woman commented on how sweet ladybug was. Then proceeded to ask the most common question: “how old is she?”

*Deep breath* then wait for the typical confused look I get, a year and a half I replied. This time was different though. Instead of the usual 10 second stare as if they think I’m joking this woman asked why she is so little. I wanted to jump up and give her a hug! I began to give her a very brief outline of what ladybug has, she then proceeded to ask about her development and abilities thus far. Before I had a chance to answer she apologized if she was prying or if the questions seemed silly. I then had a flashback to my elementary school years and the teacher drilling into our little heads that there is no such thing as a silly question.

This woman had made my day, rather than staring at me looking confused and then shrugging it off she opted to ask more about why ladybug was so tiny for her age. I realize that not everyone is comfortable with talking about why their child is special, but for me and all of the mammas I know we are open books.

So this is my plea to everyone out there – ask away. I am very open to talking about everything we have gone through from my pregnancy losses, to ladybugs future, to what her favourite song is (right now it’s a toss up between Kesha -Tik Tok and If You’re Happy and You Know It).

Like Sir Francis Bacon once said “Knowledge is Power”.  The more people ask questions the more they can learn, not only about CDG but about tolerance and acceptance.