All of the kids were rushing to Nathan, fighting over who got to play with him first. They wanted to show him their lego constructions. The wanted to help him build his own. Nathan was so happy.

We were in his kindergarten class, where he is spending the afternoons in full-inclusion with 24 other 5 year olds. It was so exciting to see him in that setting.

Then I had to lift him to transition him to another chair, and the diaper popped out a little bit. One of the girls asked, with that child-like incredulous voice, “Does he wear diapers?”

I was dumb-struck, I had no idea what to say. A million thoughts went through my head but nothing stuck. So I was stuck simply saying, “Yes.” That’s it. No brilliant explanation, no interesting comments, no “integration” wisdom. Just, “Yes”. Nathan’s lovely teacher was there and she chimed in, “For now.” She said it with a tone of acceptance and firmness, closing the topic, making it okay for them.

I left feeling a little lost. What should I have said? I better get my story straight so I don’t get caught in the cold like that again in the future. What do you guys say when you get questions like that?

Oh my heart!