As most of you know, Michael has pretty bad eczema. Some times it's not as bad as it as other times. He has been on several different medications. He has been on countless lotions and creams. Right now, *speaking in a whisper* his skin is doing pretty well *speaking in normal voice*.
There have been times when kids have been very mean. One year in summer school, a kid called him "old man hands". He usually hides his hands and doesn't like to wear sandals in the summer. For the most part, he no longer has problems with kids at school. Well that was until he told me about what happened at soccer.
Michael was getting ready for practice when he came into my room and said he didn't want to go to soccer. He kind of beat around the bush and finally said that one of the kids said "I don't want to sit by Mr. Dry Hands" and pushed him away. After telling him I would speak with the coach, he decided to go.
I spoke with the coach and he said, (in his very neat to listen to Irish accent) he would take care it of. I let mom and dad know what was going on as Sean and I are attending a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University seminar at church. (I highly recommend this to everyone) When we got home, Michael said that again at practice, this same boy said it to him again. He told the coach, who immediately went and spoke with the boy.
I had a long talk with Michael about all of this. I explained to him, that in life, there are people who are your friends, people who may be unsure about what eczema is and will ask about it and then there are others who will be unsure about what eczema is and instead of asking about it will decide to be an ass. (yes, I said ass)
I explained to him that he can not allow someone to keep him from doing something he loves. Unfortunately, this has been a lesson in "not everyone in the world is nice". I have known for a long time that is a fact of life. It's hard, as a parent, when your child learns that lesson.
We are very, VERY fortunate that the biggest health issue he has is eczema. I know that there are many other parents out there that have to deal with things that are far worse. However, I believe that when it comes to your child, regardless of what may or may not be wrong with your child, when someone hurts them, you hurt too.
