Nowadays, most people rely on social media as their main communication channel. Sending pictures of your kids to friends and relatives is a common practice so they can enjoy them.
Like other young mothers, she shares on social media, but the remarks on her photos and how she handles her child are very different. However, she needs to say a few things.
Natasha is getting used to being a parent. She likes to share pictures of her one-year-old son Raedyn on the internet, just like many new moms do. However, she is subjected to harsh online bullying due to her son’s appearance, which is uncommon for mothers.
The popular social media platform TikTok is where she posts videos of herself and her kid Raedyn. Hundreds, if not thousands, of comments are also sent to her asking her to stop posting pictures or videos of her child.
For those who don’t like her, however, Natasha has a message.”, “I won’t give up. “He is perfect; just because he looks different doesn’t mean that he is any less,” she explains.
She receives so many comments and texts that ask, “What’s wrong with your child? Why does your child appear that way?
Raedyn was born with Pfeiffer syndrome, a condition that causes abnormalities of the face, skull, and limbs. However, Natasha thinks her son is perfect, so she posts videos of him online whenever she can.
However, she says that the majority of the unpleasant remarks she gets are along the lines of, “What quality of life will he have?” “Why would you make him live like that?” someone asked impolitely on TikTok, while another person added. What a dreadful existence you’re allowing him to lead.
If online trolls weren’t harsh enough, Natasha also gets comments from people in real life. “People just come up to me and rudely say: ‘what’s wrong with your child?'” she says, referring to those who approach her when she is out in public and ask her disrespectful questions. Or why is your child that way?’ That’s not the proper way to address a human.
Even being in public is a challenge for her because of the constant questions she will undoubtedly get. “Repeatingly explaining my son’s health issues is exhausting,” she said.
Her son’s appearance makes it hard for her to comprehend the degree of interest in him. He lives his life just like any other youngster, she says. Does his appearance change? Of course, but that doesn’t diminish him in any way.
“He deserves life and acceptance—I will fight until the day I die for that,” he continued.
She dislikes how people treat her, particularly when she is going about her day and someone unexpectedly approaches her with enquiries and a “interested” attitude.
“People must realise that I am only a mother and my son is only a baby. “His diagnosis doesn’t dominate our lives,” she remarked.
She dislikes how people treat her, particularly when she is going about her day and someone unexpectedly approaches her with enquiries and a “interested” attitude.
We are only a typical family. One day, I hope, the world will embrace persons with disabilities and stop making assumptions about them based on their looks and the things they are unable to perform
.
It is quite sad to see that people in this day and age are still quick to criticise people who are different from them in any way. We can only hope that people will begin to be more tolerant and compassionate.
Our love is being sent to Natasha and young Raedyn. Along with us, send them your warmest wishes.
