Why I read books with disabled characters to my able-bodied kids.

If you are here reading this blog post, I am sure you are part of the choir I preach to that returns with a "PREACH IT GIRL!!" So I am not going to ramble on about how disability is a natural part of life and that anyone can become disabled at any point in time.

Instead, I am going to share one of my favorite stories with my oldest.

Since she was born, we read books. So. Many. Books.

A group of kids playing tennis, some using a wheelchair and a couple are standing.

And of course, I made sure to have books with characters that look different than her. Different color skin, different abilities, and different backgrounds. I wanted her to know early on, that we all are unique and bring something beautiful to this world.

We read books about religious hats, where hair grows, and why kids might not communicate like you do. Reading all these books led to conversations about non-verbal communication, how to respect practices that are different to you, and how to reflect before responding.

When she was about 3 years old, we went to a park. We were playing around like usual and while the other kids were playing, a little girl suddenly screamed really loud. My daughter stopped what she was doing, turned to look at her, and was checking out the situation. The little girls started to jump and flap her hands and my child turned to me and said, "oh, she's happy."

I didn't prompt her about what to say or what to think, I just sat there and watched my child watch this girl and I couldn't believe her genuine response, at 3-YEARS-OLD!!

Reading these books with her, having these conversations, and taking the time to educate her on differences gave her the opportunity to be effortlessly inclusive. My heart was bulging out my chest.

A person reading braille

When we wait for an opportunity to arise to have the conversation, then we are too late. Your child should know about mobility aides, limb differences, service animals, and non-verbal communication BEFORE they meet someone who uses these accommodations.

Bigfoot Books is starting strong in the PNW to educate our children and our grown-ups on how to talk about disability based off of what the disability community wants. What language to use, how to include our peers at school, and how to truly be inclusive. These ableist biases we have deep down need to be recognized to squash and move forward.

Let's change the world.