Dear Observers,
This is a public service announcement: your bewildered expression is not a pleasant one.
Take a moment to stand before a mirror. Close your eyes and reflect on a time when you felt utterly confused or taken aback. Channel that moment and feel those emotions. Now, open your eyes and take a look at the face you’ve made. Not exactly a flattering sight, is it? In fact, it might be termed an “ugly face.”
How do I know this? It’s not because I’m spying on you through your own reflection. Rather, it’s the expression I see repeatedly when I’m out in public with my child—a look of confusion that can come off as unfriendly and unwelcoming. My mission is to help raise awareness among those who stare at children like mine that this bewildered expression is indeed an unkind one.
Imagine if this was the face you encountered with every glance from a stranger. Disturbing, right? And to add to the awkwardness, the person who has been staring often realizes their mistake and attempts to recover their expression, which typically looks something like this: still not much better, and perhaps even worse.
Honestly, after witnessing this so many times, I feel compelled to put words to the expression. What you might as well be saying, with your blatant and uncomfortable gaze, is: “I am completely unable to process what I am seeing. A person who looks or acts differently? What is happening? Am I safe? This is entirely beyond my understanding, and my face reflects my confusion and fear.”
Let’s pause for a moment. What year are we living in? “Diversity” has been a key term for decades, and I’m fairly certain wheelchairs have been around longer than that. If such things are new to you, perhaps it’s time to broaden your horizons.
For the sake of the children—well, let’s be real; in our case, it’s not even about the child. Thankfully, she’s oblivious to it. It’s for me and for other parents who endure this gaze. For those who do notice and are tired of receiving such expressions wherever they go, please consider improving your facial cues. If you truly desire to make a positive impact on the world, begin with your expression.
I know this may seem challenging, but I’m here to help. Thanks to my dedicated viewership of educational programming, particularly Tyra Banks’s show, I can assure you that mastering your facial expressions is indeed possible, even when your feelings may suggest otherwise. So, let’s practice together.
Next time you encounter something that confounds you, remember:
This: (confused face) is not ideal.
Instead, it’s this: (neutral face) that we should aim for!
It may not come naturally, but with practice, you can do it. Let’s try one more scenario: “I just witnessed something unexpected. What should my expression convey?”
It’s not this: (confused face),
Or this: (worse face),
But rather this: (neutral smile).
Understood? Fantastic! I knew you could grasp this concept! Now, if you practice this in front of a mirror for a few hours each day, you’ll surely contribute to a more welcoming environment for families like ours.
This concludes our public service announcement.
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In summary, let’s strive to be more aware of our expressions and how they affect others. A simple change can lead to a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere for everyone.