Manners
For many reasons the importance of politeness, consideration and manners in our children can be undervalued. In reality, regardless of a child’s ability or disability, their Manners matter.
“MANNERS”
Anne McComiskey
We look away at meal time as little baby small
shoves biscuits down her gullet
with no remorse at all.
“You know, she’s blind” we murmur
to make the matter right,
and close our eyes quickly
as she crams another bite.
We shake our heads as Honey
scratches friend or foe,
and throws his toys
with pitiful noise
because, well, you know…
He’s blind, and so his manners
are not what others have.
He shrieks and breaks and abuses
his sister, mom and dad.
He’s not like other children
who see to play and dream,
so we just let poor baby
be nasty, rude and mean.
And yet we want our sweetheart
to be the best that she can be.
to learn and laugh and love
even though she cannot see.
We wish her friends or sweethearts,
and pals to go through life,
to share and talk and hangout,
and help to manage strife.
But people turn from Darling,
and playmates turn away.
They will not sit with Buddy,
To chat or ever play.
I guess they fear his blindness,
although I was surprised
that mates never seem to mention
my child’s sightless eyes.
Instead, I heard a child
as he fled from such a scene
cry he wouldn’t play with Angel,
’cause Angel was so mean!
(Fact: children who are blind learn manners just like sighted children.)