When people put social norms before humanity

I work with a lovely social worker named Laura. Her husband Keith used to work at the Globe and Mail, with my husband D'Arcy. Keith and Laura have two amazing kids: Connor and Bryson. This weekend the family had a painful experience during what should have been a happy occasion: a night out at a new restaurant.

During their meal, a staff person came by to ask the parents to keep their son Bryson quiet. Apparently, patrons at the other tables were complaining. Bryson, 5, has a rare genetic disorder and communicates through "songful, deep-throated vocalizations," says his dad.

"We were flabbergasted," writes Keith on his blog. "We pointed out what we thought was obvious – that Bryson has severe mental and physical disabilities and that we can’t just tell him to be quiet."

Read about how the night unfolded at My Father's Day Pledge.

And let us know if you've experienced times when people have attemped to 'silence' or in some way reject or ostracize your child in a public place because of his differences. Louise