Our youngest daughter, Faith, has been asking to get her ears pierced. For most young ladies this is a rite of passage. Her age, almost 8, is usually a great time to get ears pierced. But we have an additional issue. Faith has multiple physical and mental disabilities. I find myself very torn right now. She has asked for something so common, so normal, so very ordinary. Should we? Shouldn’t we? Do you have any experience with ear piercing and disabilities?
I don’t have any answers, but I thought of a lot of questions that could weigh into your decision. What is her pain level tolerance like? Does the freak out for shots,blood draws, etc? How’s her immune system — does she get infections easily? My mom had my little sister’s ears pierced when she was on an antibiotic for something so that maybe it would reduce the chance of an infection from the piercing? How does Faith do with you helping take care of stuff for her? She’d likely need some help, and the earrings will have to be cleaned and spun daily for the first month or so. My big suggestion is to try to find a place that will have two people piercing at the same time — no chance of chickening out with only one earring.
Echoing everything Cristi said plus, if she melts down, will she pull them out?
I don’t have any experience with disabilities and piercings, but my husband is a tattoo artist so I plenty of experience with piercers and shops. I would call around to tattoo shops and ask to talk to the pericer. Talk about your situation and feel them out. I’m sure you can find an open, caring, and patient piercer who would love to accomidate your daughter 🙂 Best of luck.
I think it is exciting that Faith wants something so normal! I do think that it would be ok, people pierce infants ears but it would also be one more thing you have to take care of…
They sell these great magnetic earrings at Claire’s. They might keep her happy without the pain.
I think sensitivities and pain tolerance should weigh into your decision. But also, what is Faith like on a day to day basis? Does she fidget with skin and hair? Would she play with them? For a trial run, I think the magnetic ones are a fantastic idea. If she does well for a predetermined amount of time, maybe then look into real? I remember when I was young, my father’s wife told us that we could have our ears pierced when we were 10. On our birthday, she took us to the doctor’s office and had them pierced. She never once had to help us take care of them. And even then, for about a year or more, she only let us wear studs.