Even G rated movies leave us something to talk about....

We all know J Girl's love of all things horses, and this includes movies.  I think we may have every movie ever made that contains these creatures. 

Today, she was watching Wind Dancer.  Here is an excerpt of what the movie is about for all who have not seen it:   When a riding accident leaves a young girl unable to walk, her widowed father seeks help from a renowned and beautiful therapist who uses animals to help people. But the girl must first learn to trust the doctor - and so must her father. Ultimately, a spirited, purebred horse named Wind Dancer will hold the key to the girl's future!

Throughout most of the movie, the little girl is in a wheelchair, and J Girl has watched this movie no less than 50 times, so she understands this.  I guess about a year ago, she was watching the movie in her room.  I heard her crying hysterically so I head in to find out what's wrong.  She is laying on her bed pointing to the television.  I ask her why she's crying.  She tells me that the little girl can't walk, that she fell down and can't get up because her legs don't work and that makes her sad.  It almost broke my heart.  She felt empathy for someone other than her family which, I thought, was a milestone in her mental development.  I was so proud.

Cut to today.  Once again, she was watching this movie.  Only this time I check on her in the playroom to find her dragging herself across the floor with her arms. 
"What are you doing?" I ask.
"I'm the little girl in the movie Mommy." she proudly points out. 
This is not new.  She enjoys acting out movies.  Another of her favorites is Flicka.  Now she chases cars down the sidewalk like a dog.  It's strange to watch, but we understand and have seen that part in the movie.
So back to our conversation. 
"I want a wheelchair like the little girl's Mommy." she tells me.
I try to explain to her that she should be happy that her legs work.  That she can walk and run and jump.  That people, even that little girl, do not enjoy being in a wheelchair.  That they wish their legs would work like hers.  Like she should be thankful.
It seems to sink in, but then......out she comes sitting in a baby stroller pushing the wheels with her hands.  It's a wheelchair, Mommy as she falls out as it breaks. 
Again, I explain.

"Okay.  Can I just pretend I have a wheelchair then?"

Sure.

Comments

[Margie G. (Gunning It)]

I had the same thing happen to me when I was little....I watched the movie Alex;the life of a child - about a girl with cystic fibrois. I cried and cried over it - I think that's what lead me to work in the special needs field. So you never know with your daugther ;-)

[Robert]

That is precious. I don't know if you have heard of Joni Eareckson Tada or not. http://joniandfriends.com She became disabled at 17 and has come to the place of saying she is glad it happened. She is a remarkable woman of faith. Anyhow, it's so touching to hear how J girl is taking to the girl in the movie.