To the woman who started at me

I saw you stare at me as I was walking down the slight hill of one of the streets into town.  You were walking beside me and you stared at my hip and the way that I was walking.  Yes I know I walk little differently to you and I walk with a limp.  As you gazed at me you saw me trying to balance myself along the footpath using my arms trying to keep my balance, my arms help me to stabilise my balance so I don't fall over or trip up and hurt myself.  It isn't easy to keep my balance on uneven  surfaces because I need to concentrate to make that I look ahead for any objects that I need to carefully pass around.

I know that you were just being curious about the way that I walk and how I walk.  I wanted to turn around and say take a picture it may last longer but I didn't because I am not that kind of person.  My feet are my transport they get me to places around town even the YMCA where I work teaching 2,3,4 year olds that everyone is different in the world and they don't stare at me because I am someone they look up to and admire.

The reason why I walk like I do I have mild hip dysplasia which means my hips weren't formed properly which is caused by my syndrome Cri Du Chat or Cry of the Cat or 5P-.  My legs might seem weak to you on the outside but they are strong on the inside.  There is nothing that anyone can do to fix my hips because if they did I would lose the ability to walk and I don't want that because I would lose my freedom and independence because my family would have to drive me around town all of the time.

So next time if you see me walk pass please don't stare just give me a little smile and say hi.  I might even say hi back.