Developmentally Jonathon is around 5, 6 years old... you know, the age when kids are curious and ask questions no matter where you happen to be. Jonathon's current curiosity is directed at a man who receives services at the same physical/occupational therapy clinic as Jonathon. This man first caught Jonathon’s attention due to his bald head. Jonathon is obsessed with bald men! He’s decided he wants to be bald. Not totally bald, he wants the donut of hair that loops around the lower back of the head!
The first time Jonathon encountered this follicle challenged man he enthusiastically commented, “Look he has no hair! That man is bald. Is his name Mr. Bald? Do I have hair? Am I bald?” Try as we might to redirect his maine attraction, Jonathon was having nothing to do with it. He was like a pit bull with jaws locked and not about to let go anytime soon. The 10 minutes left in his therapy session seemed to last f o r e v e r. As we’re leaving, I looked over and noticed the man has one leg. Once outside I let out a huge sigh of relief. Awkward situation avoided!
A week goes by and we’re back at therapy, and so is Mr. Bald! There’s no dodging the bullet this week since we’re all in the waiting area together. Jonathon, of course, notices immediately that this man is missing a leg… and the questions/comments begin. “That man has no leg! Hey mister, your leg is missing!” Mr. Bald very patiently explains to Jonathon that the doctor had to cut it off. Then the moment I wished I could make myself disappear… “Is his name Mr. Peg Leg? Is that Captain Peg Leg?”
Once in the car, we had a discussion about the man’s leg, as well as his name. What did Jonathon take away from our conversation… “The doctor will fix Captain Peg Leg’s leg and then he will put it back.” Ok, where am I supposed to go with this conversation? “No, the man’s leg was cut off and thrown away or burned!” Yeah, I’m sure that conversation wouldn’t cause permanent trauma!
Gotta go, I’m headed to the library to find a book about people who’ve lost limbs!
You are amazing! And Jonathon does keep your life interesting!!!!
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