Neuroprotective Developmental Care or the Possums programs are for all families across our human diversities
Every child, every family, and every carer has the right to be seen, included, and respected. Every human body across our remarkable physical diversities and abilities, regardless of shape, size, disability, and skin tone, also has the right to be seen, included, and respected by all other humans.
The Possums programs, also known as Neuroprotective Developmental Care, are intended to be inclusive of and to celebrate the rich diversity of human families, and also the diverse backgrounds and identities of those who care for small children.
Many parents are not female. Many children have same sex parents. Not all parents are of binary gender. Not all carers are parents. Many parents don't breastfeed; others are chestfeeding or bodyfeeding. Carers, babies and toddlers live with diverse abilities and disabilities.
Where I use pronouns or gender descriptions which don't fit the family you are working with as a health care provider, or don't fit yourself and your own family, I would like to thank you for your generosity in translating my words into pronouns and gender descriptions which fit that family, that child, or you. Similarly, when I describe practices which don't suit the diverse abilities within families that you see, or yourself and your own family, I would like to thank you for your generosity and invite you to creatively adapt my work for your context. I try hard to write and speak in a way that is as friendly and accessible for as many people as possible, which means simplifying at times. I'm very grateful for your patience if my words aren't quite a good fit, because I want everyone to feel included.
I refer to newborns, babies and toddlers as his or her, she and he. I acknowledge that a small number of our little ones are born with indeterminate biological sex or are born intersex. If this is your precious little one, or for other reasons altogether, your family might prefer to translate the pronouns I use into they and theirs. Again, I again thank you for your generosity in adapting my prounoun use to best fit your situation.
Inclusivity for all is my intention, and feeling included is every person's right.
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