I saw some things today

I saw a man stand up in a VERY nice restaurant and yell across it for service and no one seemed to mind - not the people he was with, not the server he yelled at, not the other patrons.

I saw my very first Chinese adult with down syndrome in the same restaurant - don't see too many special needs adults in China - unless they are half naked and begging on the street.

I saw people try to fit two buses and one car into the exact same spot on the road with nary a horn blown or curse  word uttered - several times.

I saw people be outright rude and openly stare at my daughter and I - and  not in a nice way.

I saw a shop keeper extend extraordinary kindness to my daughter.

I saw unbelievable bravery in a mom traveling with her sister to adopt two boys - one with down syndrome. Their father passed away a few days into the trip. Please pray for them - their grief is deep.

I saw my daughter pose for the camera without a care in the world this morning...

I saw the doctor at the medical clinic who told me after he examined Katie 2 years ago " you know she will never be able to learn anything" (I was very good and fought the urge today to tell him how wrong he was!)

The medical clinic visit is always hard for one reason or another. With Becky, it was simply the uncertainty of it all. With Katie, it was the 7 vaccinations they required (thankfully the US has changed that regulations). With Ai Liu....oh it was bad. First, the nurse came in to do the ear & eye exam. Part of her scaring is her left ear is badly damaged. This nurse tugged and pulled and pushed trying to get a look in her ear. It wouldn't have made me so made, except this was the same woman that 3 1/2 years ago looked in Becky's ear and gave her a clean bill of health - never mind the SEVERE ear infection she had in both ears. This nurse has zero credibility with this momma - and her lack of compassion almost made me come unglued. 

Had to imagine, but it got worse, because in waltzed in the doctor who after examining Katie two years ago, told me "You know, she will never be able to learn anything. She is too mentally damaged." Yep -that's what he said. He's not my favorite person to start with, ad then when he started examining Ai Liu, and poking & prodding her scar tissue - when he started turning her hands this way &that - I pulled her onto my lap - and gave him my best "that is enough" look. Elvin got us out of there - quickly! 

Some retail therapy and a good dinner helped --- but looking back at this photo from the morning was the best balm for a hard visit!