A healing encounter

As a freelance writer for Hamilton County Tourism, I have different assignments throughout the year where I go and review accessibility at various places around the county.

Last weekend, I visited several Hamilton County parks as one of my assignments. One of the parks I visited had an accessible swing where I was able to wheel my wheelchair into a spot, and on the other side of it was a seat for someone else to sit if they wanted to.

I was testing out the swing when a little girl, about four years old, there with her mother asked if she and her Barbie could swing with me. I told her of course they could! She got on and I could tell she had questions as she inquisitively looked at my wheelchair. I could see the wheels turning.

First, she asked me why I had to be in a wheelchair. I gave a simple explanation of my muscles don’t work like yours do, so I need some extra help. She then told me about her grandmother who also uses a wheelchair. She explained to me that it is hard for them to fly because everything is so much harder when trying to travel by air in a wheelchair. I was stunned by her accurate knowledge at her early age.

What she asked me next took me by surprise. She said, “Are you a mom?” What touched me the most about her question is that she saw me as someone capable of being a mom. Many would look at me and think I was not able to be a mom, but she didn’t. I told her I was, and that my boys are grown now.

She continued to talk about school, and a few other things. She was sad when I told her we had to go. She got up from her seat as she saw me raising the safety bars that I was behind. She said, “I can do that for you.” I was fighting back tears as I thanked her for swinging with me. Her presence was so kind, gentle, and caring.

Some people have open hearts and do not see disability as a negative thing. I could tell she was one of those people, even as a young girl. Her life experiences have already shaped her into an empathetic person. I could not get that sweet encounter out of my mind for a few days.

I kept returning to it, thinking of the trauma I had experienced on the playground as a little girl. Dealing with bullying and sadness of not being able to participate in all of the things.

I felt like that encounter healed that part of me that is still painful to look back on. Her kindness made up for the spirit breaking actions of the bullies long ago.

This was certainly not what I had envisioned as part of my day touring the different parks. It was a pleasant surprise and one I will not soon forget.

Another powerful reminder, kindness matters.

Until next time …

Amy Shinneman is a former National Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, disability blogger, freelance writer, wife, and mom of two boys. You can find her blog at humblycourageous.com and reach her on Instagram @ashinneman.