Mom Compares How People Treat Her Dog vs. Disabled Child: 'Disgusting'

Newsweek

02-05-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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A mom's recent experience at a farmers market left her disheartened as strangers showed more patience with her dog than her disabled child.
Leah Crum visited a local farmers market with her dog and two children. It was her dog's first time out in this setting, which she wanted to help with socialization and training. Most people showed patience for her dog, Indigo, as she sniffed people's hands or pulled on the leash toward other canines.
She told Newsweek she appreciated people being understanding toward her 2-year-old bernedoodle, but she was floored by how people didn't have the same patience with her children. Crum said people kept pushing past, scoffing or rolling their eyes at her and her children, which she found "disgusting."
On one hand, she understands farmers markets are busy. Plus, her family might take up extra space as she uses a stroller, and always will, for her daughter with Cerebral palsy, a neurological condition caused by damage to parts of the brain that control muscle movement. Symptoms typically arise early in childhood.
What upset Crum was how people allowed her dog to slow down, enjoy her time, but when her children wanted to explore, talk to new people or visit other stands, strangers "shoved" them and scoffed.
Curious to find an answer about the difference in treatment, she posted in an April 5 Instagram video (@leahcrum_) and asked: "Why are people so willing to cater to the curiosity of a dog but unwilling to accommodate the needs of a child?"
Screenshots from an April 5 Instagram video of a mother visiting the farmer's market with her dog and two children where she noticed a stark contrast in treatment.
Screenshots from an April 5 Instagram video of a mother visiting the farmer's market with her dog and two children where she noticed a stark contrast in treatment.
@leahcrum_/Instagram
She wasn't upset that people didn't give her children the same attention, but rather, she's saddened that the same kindness to dogs isn't shown to humans. She feels there's a disconnect in patience.
"We don't need to be less kind to dogs, we need to be equally as kind to people," Crum said. "We should treat every living thing with respect, and that applies to children."
Instagram Users React
Crum's Instagram post, which reached 1.2 million views, quickly drew criticism from people. She said it felt as if the comments were attacking her for having children.
"Dogs are better than kids, that's why," one person wrote.
A second user said: "Why? Because grown adults randomly approaching children is strange. I love kids & will always be polite but I'm not there to make friends with kids or talk to their mothers. It's a grocery store."
Defending Crum, someone commented: "It's people like that that are the reason why I get anxious and stressed to even bring my kid anywhere. I'm sorry you are going through this, it's not fair on you or your kiddos."
Another added: "Even if you personally don't like children or have children, you should still treat them with common decency and leniency, especially if they're being friendly to you—wave back, smile, etc. Just be nice, they haven't experienced much in life yet and are just starting to join society."