When my sons were in elementary school, I was always a Room Mother.  I went from
being "that weird lady who walks and talks funny" to "Scott's mom that makes
delicious cookies".

R. Hintz wrote:

> I agree that in the case of kids, especially young ones, its important to
> answer their question in the most kid-friendly way possible. To rebuff their
> natural and innocent curiosity only creates the fear that people with
> disabilities battle everyday.
>
> When my daughter started attending a preschool at an elementary school, she
> started getting questions from other kids about my disability. So, for
> preschool and Kindergarten I have done a 15 minute presentation to her class
> about people with disabilities. It has been very enthusiastically received by
> the school and the students. I will continue to do this as long as the
> faculty accepts my offer.
>
> I think its important to give the message that disabilities are OK to talk
> about and that people with disabilities are approachable and just like
> everyone else. I also hope to avert any teasing my kids might receive because
> of my disability. The best way I can think of is to keep the discussion open.
>
> This does not mean revealing intimate medical details. I've given simple
> answers like "because my legs aren't as strong as other people's" or "because
> that's how God made me."
>
> The rudest and most inappropriate questions I receive have always been from
> adults. Renee