Several years ago, Megan Burnside witnessed a mother struggling with her son. The boy was yelling, which led Burnside to call the police, believing that the situation was escalating and required intervention.
The mother appeared to be struggling to get her 10-year-old son back into the car, and it seemed like things were getting physical. Concerned for the child's welfare, Burnside and her husband decided to leave and let the authorities handle the situation.
Later, when the police contacted her with an update, Burnside was deeply shocked to learn that the boy had autism and sometimes reacted physically due to his condition. The mother was simply trying to calm him down, as she had done many times before.
Unfortunately, such situations are not uncommon. Well-intentioned bystanders often call the authorities, which can lead to unnecessary stress and trauma for both the child and the parent if the problem is misunderstood. This can be especially damaging to people with disabilities and families of color.
Burnside felt immense guilt upon realizing her mistake and continues to feel remorse about the incident.
When a similar scenario occurred with a friend, Burnside shared her experience on Facebook, expressing how she would handle the situation differently if given another chance.
She recounted an instance where a well-meaning person called the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) on her friend, who was bedridden with an illness. The caller likely intended to help but misunderstood the situation.
Burnside questioned what the observer might have seen that led to the call and suggested that offering assistance to the struggling parent would have been a better approach.
In her viral Facebook post, Burnside urged people to offer support rather than jumping to judgment. She emphasized that empathy is crucial in addressing such situations effectively.
Burnside believes that self-judgment often fuels judgment of others and that cultivating compassion for oneself can lead to greater understanding and kindness towards others. Her message has resonated with many, encouraging a shift towards more supportive and less judgmental behavior.
While it's essential to report genuine cases of abuse or neglect, Burnside advocates for thoughtful consideration and empathy before taking such actions.