A rarity with Kurt is to hear him say "thank you." He doesn't like that phrase, especially when addressed to him.
If I thank him for a task, he cringes, puts his hand out to say "stop" and tells me, "No thank yous!"
"Why can't I say thank you," I asked one day.
"Only kids get thanked," he said.
That's not true, of course, but I know what he's talking about. He hates when people become animated when they talk to him or get excited when he accomplishes a task. It is the same way some people talk to toddlers and Kurt gets that. It's patronizing.
When showing gratitude to a coworker, getting super excited and praising the person over and over would not seem sincere. So why would anyone do that to an adult with a disability? Unfortunately, that happens all the time.
Any show of appreciation or "Good job!" gets the cringe from Kurt.
The other day I made chocolate, chocolate chip muffins for breakfast. Yes, I know that wasn't the healthiest choice, but it sure did give me my chocolate fix.
I was sitting in the living room using my laptop while Kurt finished breakfast and I looked up to see him in the doorway.
"Mom," he said. "How many muffins did you make?"
"Twelve."
"Next time, could you make one thousand?"
"I don't think so," I said. "But I put one in your lunch box."
He tilted his head and nodded with a grin, "Thanks."
Made my day.
Kori :)
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