Thank you so much for sharing this Charlotte, it's definitely a conversation that needs to be developed. Though not a parent myself, I can share experience from another perspective. I've been out and about in my wheelchair and children do stare but I don't think it's being rude, I think they are curious, especially if they haven't seen a person in a wheelchair before. Often children's attitudes are passed onto them from the environment that they are brought up in including the attitudes their parent's have. Some parents completely ignore it or they hurry away and say 'Come on let's go'. Sometimes they look uncomfortable. I imagine for some, they themselves, are perhaps unsure as to how to explain it and that's where I think more conversation needs to be had around how we talk about inclusion and what it looks like. It's also difficult because not everyone feels comfortable talking about their 'difference', whatever it may be and that's completely fair enough, but it's not a difference, it's just part of who they are and we need to work to making this more accepted. Inclusion can sometimes be over thought, though there is much to it, for me, in my opinion, at the very heart of being inclusive is respect, understanding and willingness to learn more. I feel if we are honest about what we know and what we don't, we open up the opportunity for some great learning experiences.
When I have been asked why I am in a wheelchair by a child, I am honest with them and explain it in an age appropriate way. Thank you.