The Beauty of Physical Diversity

The daycare where I work is in a very small, rural community with very little diversity. Our center's racial diversity currently consists of one Asian women who is a teacher. We are not discriminatory; we just live in a predominately white area of the country. At times we have had a few students who were non-white, but much of the time all of our enrolled children are average, middle-class, and white. However, race is not the only kind of diversity. We are privileged to have a student with an uncommon, in our area at least, kind of physical diversity.

One little boy with a personality the size of Texas is unknowingly making a difference in the lives of his classmates just by being himself.

"Johnny" is a three-year-old with diastrophic dysplasia, a type of dwarfism. In his short life, he has undergone numerous surgeries to deal with physical issues that limit his mobility. The younger sibling of "Tommy", a student who has attended our center for over a year, "Johnny" joined our enrollment about six months ago. His parents were hesitant for him to participate in group care due to his special needs but were left with few other options when his home sitter took another job. Coupled with the normal feelings of uncertain when leaving a child in the care of other for the first time, "Johnny's" parents were filled with worry his first few days. How would the other children react to him? Would he fit in despite being different?

Their worries were in vain. "Johnny" was readily accepted into the ranks of our daycare family. In fact, the children instantly adored "Tommy's" little brother. Nothing was said of "Johnny's" small size, both his legs being in casts, or his being unable to walk. The kids would argue over who would get to play with "Johnny". They would help "Johnny" in any way they could - sometimes to the extreme. A teacher would want "Johnny" to do a simple task he was perfectly capable of completing and the kids would instantly come to his defense and try to do it for him.

It has taken some adjustment for the children to understand that "Johnny" needs to do things for himself and they have become wonderful cheerleaders for him as he is now trying to learn to walk on his own. He still has some physical issues but in most ways he is a typical precocious three-year-old, especially when playing with his older brother "Tommy".

One day I watched as several children examined "Johnny's" hands and legs, which very distinctly were unlike their own. It was not even a matter of curiosity to them because he was different; it was just the fact that those were "Johnny's" hands and legs. "Johnny" has been such a gift to show the children to accept those who look act or look different.

Having met "Johnny" prior to his attending our center, I knew of his physical issues, his wonderful personality, and his adorable smile. I was thrilled he was going to join us and knew the children would love him. But I was definitely unprepared for the response of a couple of the other teachers. "He doesn't walk and isn't potty trained. We don't need someone like that here?" I nearly fell over from shock. "Isn't he going to require lots of special care?" I was too surprised to speak. The outright narrow-mindedness of these adults in regard to a sweet little boy! How could they think such things? I know people react negatively to special needs individuals all the time but I just never imagined these women I had known for years held to such deep discriminations. I felt a need to protect "Johnny" from this, but this was something he was going to face his entire life. As soon as these people who were so set against "Johnny" actually met him, they changed their tunes and saw him as what he is a child, not a disability.

The parents of the other children have been so thrilled with their children being exposed to the beauty of physical diversity. They are so happy at their children's easy acceptance of "Johhny." Several parents telling us that their children came home talking about the new boy in their class and never once mentioned anything signifying that he was different aside from the fact that he was the new boy.

Children are naturally curious and accepting; do not ignorantly teach them to fear or despise those who are different in any way.