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The Kindness of Strangers.

31 replies

lou33 · 21/06/2003 23:23

Well we hear so many negative stories about the reactions of people to SN kids, so I thought I'd tell you a couple of good things that have happened recently. Last saturday we went to a local fete at a residential home for disabled adults. It was fabulous, and there were donkeys there. Now ds2 is obsessed with 3 things, cars, balls and donkeys (aka dordas to him). He has seen donkeys in the flesh before because we live near a donkey sanctuary, but never ridden one. Anyway on talking to the owners of the 2 donkeys it turns out they usually do rides for special needs children, as a hobby , and when they were told about ds they made such a big fuss of him. He had 2 rides on Florence and cried his eyes out when he got off. They held onto him the entire way round and made him feel very secure. They told us that they would be at another fete this weekend and gave us a contact number for them. So today we called them up to find out where they were going to be and they told us. We turned up and got the most fantastic welcome from them, Ds was over the moon to see Florence again. However this fete was a bit different, as it wasn't really a public do, but was in the garden of the vicar's house! They had especially asked for us to come knowing he would get a lovely welcome. We were introduced to the church warden who made a huge fuss of ds2 and the others. Everything was free, bouncy castles, ice cream, donkey rides. The donkey owners then invited us to bring ds2 for free rides every week at their farm, because they know it will help his spasticity. Then just before we left, ds2 was playing in a cozy coupe car (another obsession) and the church warden walked up and told us we could take it home as a gift, and invited us to the local mums and tots group she runs! Never met her before, and was very touched by the gestures of both people.

Sorry to waffle on, just thought it's nice to know that there are good and kind people out there.

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WideWebWitch · 21/06/2003 23:45

What a sweet story Lou and you're right, it is nice to know!

butterflymum · 22/06/2003 00:00

Brings a smile to the face - thank you for sharing it with us.

eidsvold · 22/06/2003 07:17

It is events and encounters like this that remind us that there really are some lovely generous kind souls in the world.

It restores my faith in people.

Batters · 22/06/2003 10:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

codswallop · 22/06/2003 10:46

That is lovely. So nice to hear of a postitive and inclusive response for you from others

ScummyMummy · 22/06/2003 10:47

Fantastic. I am picturing your boy on Florence now. So glad he had a great time and that there are nice people out there.

janh · 22/06/2003 11:18

lou, that is a marvellous story. Some people are so lovely!

lou33 · 22/06/2003 12:13

Thanks all, I thought it would be good to post on the nicer side of life that's all. Btw I do have a picture of ds on Florence if anyone wants to email me via the link at the top!

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janh · 22/06/2003 12:25

lou, I was about to, but the link seems to have disappeared - I think Tech is having a clever day as a new bit has appeared next to the thread title on the results page...maybe it will be back soon?

(Or is it just me?)

lou33 · 22/06/2003 14:01

It's back now .

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lilibet · 22/06/2003 16:18

Nothing new to add, its a really good story. Glad your ds had such a wonderful time. Would love to see the pic.

sobernow · 22/06/2003 19:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SoupDragon · 22/06/2003 19:41

Can't think of anything else to say really!

wickedstepmother · 22/06/2003 19:47

Having experienced the 'sticky end' of human nature in Tesco's car park earlier today (don't ask) it's lovely to hear a positive story.

fio2 · 23/06/2003 06:23

lou what a lovely story, bet ds2 is bowled over by the car-it will keep him occupied this summer Smile

princesspeahead · 23/06/2003 08:55

that's amazing, I'm so pleased for you and your ds Lou.
And it just proves what I always like to hope, that people are basically good and nice and anything else is an aberration (optimistic view I know!)
I love the idea of your ds developing a relationship with florence - that will be wonderful for him. I loved donkeys as well when I was younger - something about their furry ears!

Hughsie · 23/06/2003 09:02

Thats a great story - it restores your faith in human nature. I always get a great buzz from kindness of any sort and really love talking to strangers (dont take sweets from them though!!!)- kids are great for that sort of thing!

lou33 · 23/06/2003 09:56

It's surprising how little we see these sort of acts though isn't it? Fio, ds loves cars and donkeys in equal amounts, so it's really completed his life in his eyes . Might have to add some sort of catch to the car door though, or try and build a seat insert to stop him slumping sideways because he's already fallen out of it twice . He loves it so much we have to solve the problem somehow. Already he's asked about half a dozen times to go in it this morning, but it's wet outside so I'm trying to put him off.

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fio2 · 23/06/2003 10:25

lou my dd used to have her car in the house! It used to take up most of the living room but it was one of her only means of getting about-and the physio encouraged it because ot made her legs stronger. I was thinking about the seat insert for your ds and I know that on my dds bus(to school) the children who are unable to sit correctly are strapped into the seat from the back, I dont know what they are but they look like those things you can put on chairs to strap them into when there eating, they are made from a strong cotton. Sorry this most probably makes no sense whatsoever but just thought I'd mention it Smile

Bet your ds is really looking forward to his next donkey rideSmile

janh · 23/06/2003 10:39

lou, could you put some sort of strap under his arms, out of the sides and fasten it at the back?
It would hold the door shut too?

princesspeahead · 23/06/2003 10:42

we've got one of those cars and I'm trying to think how you might keep the door shut. A bit of a tricky one. you could probably do something with a bungey cord/webbing strap and the steering wheel? hmm, difficult

sis · 23/06/2003 10:46

Lou, really happy for your ds - thanks for posting because, as you say, it does help to hear the nice side of human nature too!

lou33 · 23/06/2003 11:18

I'm thinking maybe along the line of a fridge lock, do you think that might work? The sort you buy and stick onto the fridge. JanH I just got your email so will reply soon, glad you like the picture though!

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princesspeahead · 23/06/2003 11:24

if you think the adhesive will withstand the weight of your ds falling against it - haven't ever used one so I don't know how strong they are. worth a go, though?
may also be worth emailing manufacturer and seeing what they suggest - they sell so many of them and they are such a staple toy eg at kindergardens etc that they must have dealt with this request before?

lou33 · 23/06/2003 15:59

I've never used one either pph. Good idea about emailing the company though. I'll try but it always seems 50/50 if big companies ever reply!

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