Don't mess with "Joe"

A couple of days after we arrived at the Riu Palace, a group of kids mostly boys around the 9-12 age range checked into the rooms down the hall from us. It was apparent from the beginning that they felt that they were the "cool" kids and their parents weren't much better. Anyone that knows my Joe, knows that even though it's difficult for him to communicate, that usually doesn't stop him from trying to make friends with everyone. Usually in Mexico, Joe has no problem with being accepted just the way he is. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case with these kids. He so naively ran up to the kids and wanted to join in but was quickly the center of their jokes and taunts. The first night, he came to the room telling me the story of the "mean kids" as he referred to them. I told him to stay away from them and not to worry about what they were saying and doing. Well, the next morning when we walked into breakfast, this group of kids along with their dad, were laughing and pointing at Joe as he walked in. My very first instinct was to walk over and slap them all (especially the dad) across the face, actually, I wanted to punch them in the face but, I held back and went and sat down as far away from them as I could. Well, for the next few days, we would see these kids causing all kinds trouble with the blessings of their parents and I would do my best to keep Joe as far away from them as I could. One night, my older boys were up in the lobby and Joe was with us watching the show and Joe got up and went upstairs to see his brothers. After the show, Bob and I went upstairs and Mike informed us that Joe had gone over to watch the "mean kids" play pool and ended up grabbing one of the boys by the shirt and punching him in the arm.
At first, I was upset that Joe would do that but after thinking about it, I was actually happy that he was able to stick up for himself. I did sit Joe down and told him that punching the kid even though he was a "mean kid" wasn't right and that he should just stay away from them but he continued for the rest of the trip to get in their faces and tell them that they were "mean kids".

At one point, I wanted to go to my room and have a good cry because I knew how badly Joe wanted to be accepted by these kids but, one of Mike's friends pointed out that at least Joe wasn't going to take any crap from them and I realized that as difficult as life is and will be for Joe he already has the ability to stand up for himself and he definitely won't be hiding in the corner being afraid of anyone.

As much I hate to admit this, there are many times I wish that I could just keep Joe safely in the corner where he won't be laughed at and mocked but I know that's not possible and that's certainly not what Joe wants. Joe wants to be right in the middle of it all. He loves life and everyone he comes in contact with. In a strange way, I think he even got a kick out of getting in the "mean kids" faces. I also realize that I will continue to learn from Joe how to handle the "mean kids" in this world.