Boy Uses Offensive Term for Disabled Toddler, Dad's Response Says It All
"Oliver’s diagnosis does not define his potential," Chris Herring tells Newsweek after he was diagnosed with ReNU Syndrome.
A toddler with disabilities faced an offensive question from a young boy during a recent outing. Chris Herring, 33, was out with his 16-month-old son Oliver, who has ReNU Syndrome, a rare condition causing severe developmental delays. While Chris, 33, could have been upset, he chose to turn the situation into a teaching moment for the inquisitive boy.
Chris explained to the child that Oliver may look and think differently, but he is still "the toughest little guy" who works hard to learn new things and bring joy to those around him. Chris implores other parents to be respectful and have open conversations with their children about disabilities, emphasizing that asking respectful questions is okay but should be approached sensitively.
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