Virginia Glenn
Aug 24, 2017 · 1 min read

As a retired teacher and Elementary Principal, I was thrilled to read your story. It breaks my heart when I see parents trying to change their kids or forcing them to behave a certain way. We should all celebrate what each of us brings to the table of life and not try to limit any of it. Stifling creativity should be one of the deadly sins. (can you tell I was raised Catholic?) Being open to differences and new experiences is what helps us to grow and learn. I would only add a caution that when people (like the waitress) mistake CJ for a girl — they’re probably not trying to be mean or negative — they’re just reading him with the limitations of their own experience. They haven’t been lucky enough to know CJ the way you have. How could they not love him once they know him? He’s one of those rare kids that truly find the joy in life. He’ll find bumps in his road — but with you there to show him the way around or over them, he’s already got the solid foundation and a strong heart — he’ll be fine. And if you lose acquaintances over this — it’s their loss. Think of all the joy they’ll miss out on. I would have loved having your family and CJ as part of my school.

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    Virginia Glenn

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