Fake claims about being

"aboriginal" were raised yesterday. They came at the same time as I was watching a small girl running and rolling in the grass at the park next to the library. Her adopted grandmother stood there holding a bag of library books while her adopted grandfather pretended to chase her. It was a game and they were all enjoying it.

"She's having a wonderful time," I said to her grandmother who had given me the sort of smile which says,"This has to stop soon."

"It ends all too soon," she told me, "I wish they did not have to grow up and find out about the world."

I knew what she was talking about. The small girl is an inter-race placement. She is also disabled. There was an attempt to place her in an "aboriginal" family but it did not work. Nobody wanted to take on a child with two limbs missing. They did not want to deal with the many hospital appointments and other issues that will arise. 

This family has taken her on. She is starting school this coming year and is excited about it. I have often talked to her "mother" in the library. They are regular visitors there. 

"Time to go," her adopted grandfather said and there was a sigh but no argument. She eyed my bike seat longingly though. There have been several occasions on which she has been allowed to "ride" it - with me pushing her while she sits on the seat. If she learns to ride a bike it will be one she uses her arms to "pedal". 

After looking at me her adopted grandfather lifted her on to the seat and we set off to the car park. Then he took her off to put her in her child seat. 

"M...and A... have been told they could get some sort of bike for her to use but they don't want her to think she can have something for no effort. Not everyone agrees of course. They keep saying if she is aboriginal she should be able to get it. We keep being told "at least she looks aboriginal" but what is that really supposed to mean?"

"She just looks like a little girl to me," I said. It is true. She does. There is definitely some "aboriginal" heritage there and perhaps some Chinese too but she also has European ancestry. She is a very attractive child and, at present, a very happy one despite her problems. I doubt she is more than average intelligence but she loves stories and drawing and talking to dogs.  The idea that she should somehow be given something extra because of the colour of her skin seems wrong to them. If she needs a "bike" of some sort to keep up with her friends at school then that seems to be a more reasonable thing. It is an interesting point of view.