"Well the good thing is she won't actually know people are making fun of her"

Someone actually said this to me today.  I was explaining how Aaron and I were considering home schooling Maddison.  I am usually joking about it, because I sent my three other children to school, but when it comes to Maddison I can't bear for anyone to be mean to her.  So I sometimes say, "Oh I will probably home school her".  Then out of the blue comes the random, "Well the good thing is she won't actually know people are making fun of her.  Are you !@#$% kidding me?  I remained calm and said well that is a misconception people have about children with Down syndrome.  She will know but she will probably forgive very quickly.  I am tired of excusing peoples ignorance of Maddison being a child, (person) first.  REALLY??  Surely you can look at her and know she is smart, super smart!!!!  She knows when we tell her no and she really wants it, she keeps on working at it.  She knows when her brothers take something away from her and she wants it, she cries for it.  How can someone believe if you tease her, it won't hurt her.  Aaron I were talking about it later and he said well it's just one of those things people regret after they say it.  Well unfortunately it does really make me think HOME SCHOOL ALL THE WAY!  Protect her from the world, the meanies out there.  What choice do I have?


Seeeeee how smart she is........