The Velcro Wars

Actually this has less to do with velcro and more to do with the (rather worn looking) man selling it. Not that I have anything against looking worn, I'm kind of that way myself .

After a brief expedition to the equally despised bank and supermarket (both of which consume large amounts of cash), I was passing the local haberdashery shop, which is in fact about the size of a large broom cupboard and overflowing with rolls of fabric and other such stuff, asked the chap working there if he had any self adhesive velcro. He did. I have in fact purchased velcro from this shop before but the quality is a bit iffy, so I usually go elsewhere (I can be such a snob about velcro).

He asked me if it was for school (because I look school age?), I explained that Dimitri uses a communication book requiring reams of velcro and the reasons why. As I braced myself for the usual suspects - that is replies such as:

The lord doesn't give us more than we can handle

We all have our cross to bear

Oh, I'm sure everything will be fine

He'll grow out of it

If he can hear he will talk

My friends, neighbours cousin didn't speak until they were 31

So....... does it run in your family

Didn't you have tests when you were pregnant

I was actually quite pleasantly surprised when instead of any of the above he started talking about the governments responsibility towards people with disabilities and how they are not doing enough and the general state of health care in Greece, in an equally pleasant matter of fact way with complete absence of pity. It was refreshing.

He has in fact seen me and Dimitri pass by frequently, as we squeeze between the front of his shop and the periptero (and the chairs they have on the pavement to sit and have a chat), where Dimitri has on occassion been quite upset and even had a sit down strike, we are not unknown in the neighbourhood.

Anyway, I have made a mental note for any future petitions I may be waving about, he is now on the list of potential helper-outers.