Every now and then I find out about something I should have done for Ralph when he was younger but didn't know about. Here is one.
This cute little tag from http://www.mytinyhands.com/comes in different colors and can be hung from a car seat/baby carrier or stroller. I can't tell you how many times I brought Ralph to church only to have multiple people come up and grab his pudgy little hands. It's totally understandable because the kid has gravity. He draws people to him irresistibly.
But, ewwww. How many other hands did those people shake that morning? How many of those people coughed or sneezed into their hands? How many forgot to wash after using the restroom? I could go on.
I was beside myself each week trying to figure out a way to ask people not to touch his hands without sounding harsh or paranoid or embarrassing them. Really, you only have a split second to make the request before it's too late. I actually had to excuse myself once to take Ralph to the restroom to wash his hands.
I sound crazy, but I'm not. People can spread germs and viruses before they even know that they are sick. Most illnesses are contracted by touching contaminated objects. Any cold or flu virus can be deadly for children with underlying health conditions like pulmonary hypertension. Add the fact that people with Down Syndrome may have a lower level of immunity to cold and flu viruses.
Ralph is a big boy now and does not ride in a carrier. But, he still attracts the same kind of attention. Do you think I could talk the "My Tiny Hands" folks into making t-shirts?
2 comments:
Very good advice!! I carry hand sanitizer everywhere! At church, after shaking hands with someone, I always use my hand sanitizer and use it on Jayden too!
Worth a try!
I always appreciated the few (usually older) persons who would touch my babies on their feet instead of their hands.
Barbara
Post a Comment