Profound Words from a Kindergartener

When Dougie uttered the words, “Sorry don’t mean nothing, put your head down here.” I only thought it was amusing and a bit fresh. Now I understand how profound his statement really was. Such wisdom from a five year old, and no wonder, at that age children aren’t used to filtering their words when expressing their feelings. Dougie had just gotten his head smacked by a rebounding front seat as he bounced into the back seat of my car. You see, I used to drive mother and son to school each morning, and his pre-occupied mother didn’t watch his progress into the back seat that day, and offered a quick, “Sorry,” after the bump.

As I am now in my seventh week on crutches and in wheel chair, I truly appreciate the wisdom of the Dougster. He was tired of being rushed into back seats, and knew that his mom wouldn’t truly understand how he felt until she too felt the seat hit her head. I am also weary of being rushed and rushed by. Healthy two- footed adults hurry past me, and I imagine they must be thrilled to get to the line, in the door, and to the shelf first. They obviously have a real advantage over the one-footed human. They see me and know that I can be beaten. Rare is the individual who will open the door, lift a product from a top shelf at the store, or help guide me through an aisle at the checkout. And when someone does offer their help, I thank them profusely, as I am truly thankful for their kindness.

And I guess those who ignore people who are physically compromised will not understand the frustration the handicapped feel until they too, are compromised. Experience is truly the best teacher. Dougie knew and called it.