Talking to Your Kids About Deformities
There isn’t a high level of awareness regarding birth defects and deformities. Which is unfortunate, considering 1 out of every 33 children is born with a birth defect.
How can we make life easier for babies born with birth defects? We can raise awareness of deformities.
DO YOU HAVE A BIRTH DEFECT OR A DEFORMITY?
Are you someone who was born with any type of deformity or birth defect? If yes, we know life has probably not been easy for you. If it were up to you, how would you like parents to educate their children about deformities? Disability Living believes it is crucial that individuals talk to their kids about disfigurements. Children who are aware of birth defects will be much less likely to stigmatize them and tease/isolate those who have them.
TIPS FOR EDUCATING CHILDREN ABOUT DEFORMITIES AND BIRTH DEFECTS.
For those readers who have children — please consider implementing the following tips and educating your kids about deformities:
– Is there an individual with a disfiguring birth defect in your child’s class at school? If yes, talk to the teacher about having a school counselor address the class and explain the birth defect. It would be ideal if the counselor could also explain the difficulties the child is facing. This will arouse compassion and understanding in that child’s peers. Also, it will help the students understand that individuals with deformities are the same as them, but are just facing different life situations.
– Have a discussion with your child about birth defects. Explain to him or her that people are just people, and individuals share similarities as well as differences. Tell your child that differences are not bad.
– Does your child have a friend who has a disfiguring birth defect? If so, consider researching the condition and explaining it to your child.
TALK TO INCREASE AWARENESS.
Do you want to help raise awareness of birth defects? You can, and it’s as easy as having a conversation. Talking openly with your child and others will bring awareness of medical conditions that most people don’t encounter on a daily basis.
The National Benefit Authority is Canada’s leading service provider of the Disability Tax Credit for people with medical conditions or disabilities. We’ve helped over 40,000 Canadians successfully receive their Canadian disability benefits.