One of the things that really gets me is when people assume Mikaere isn’t capable. We’ve had a few new people meet Mikaere recently (all genuinely lovely people, so no shade to them).
It’s just, so often people assume that Mikaere can’t, that they miss what he can. He’s perfectly capable of independent play, assuming it’s accessible for him (bright objects with bells hanging from the hoist, within reaching distance, for example).
He’s happy to explore, and can follow instructions if you give him enough time to process the ask and model it a few times.
You don’t need to play *for* him, you don’t need to shake things in his face, or even just talking at him nonstop (who likes that, anyway?). And sure, narration is fine and important, but give him the opportunity to respond. A conversation has natural breaks so the other person can share their side too. And Mikaere *does* respond, which is the most heartbreaking part. He wants to chat to you, he wants to be seen and heard. He wants to be given the opportunity to show you what he can do.
Also, sometimes he just wants to play, if you could just get out of the way, please.
I know that this is something his team will learn, eventually, but ooof. Watching them shake things in his face always takes me a back (and I always immediately step in, because wtf, how do you like having things shaken in your face, oh hai, here is a random everyday object, let me introduce you to it by SHAKING IT IN YOUR FACE. God. He’s disabled, not a puppy you want to hype up).
Anyway. Can we just assume people can do things? Even when they’re disabled? K, thx.
#nonketotichyperglycinemia#nkh#nkhawareness#ifhnkh#metabolicdisorder#teamMikaere#glycineencephalopathy#nkhcansuckit#ableism#ableismIsShit
