It turned out that Matt had an excellently dry sense of humor, was a baseball statistician, an amateur meteorologist, and held firm political beliefs. He was, however,often unwashed and disheveled. He talked to himself as he walked through town to his job. He lived alone and it seemed to me that Special Olympics was his primary outlet and the source of all of his socialization.
One day, he fell down the steps at work, struck his head, and died. My wife and I thought we would be among the few mourners at the funeral service. We came early, sat in the front of the church with the family, and listened to the organ music. Just before the service was to begin, I noticed some noise behind me and turned around. I was shocked to see that the church was filled to standing room only - with friends, teachers, coaches, doctors, coworkers, bus drivers, police officers, therapists... It was larger than any funeral I had been to before.
In his need, Matt had called upon hundreds of people to give of themselves to help him along in life. I am firmly convinced that God places these special people in our midst to help us exercise the best parts of ourselves, our compassionate natures.
This is one of the favorite stories of my life and has formed the experiential basis for many big decisions that I have made. I am fiercely protective of those with special needs. I am also the adoptive father of my two special needs sons.
" I sometimes think that the way our society is weeding the handicapped out at the root that is the womb (or as embryos, even, for those who Really like to Plan their families or overcome their own handicap of sterility), has a twofold effect.
On a somewhat superficial and base selfish level, it leaves folks unable to appreciate how truly blessed they are to be "Ordinary". They become susceptible to the sort of morbid dissatisfaction that comes from failing to be an American Idol of some sort or which results in eating disorders, self-mutilation and other repercussions associated with failure to be perfect somehow...in looks, brains, talent, exc.
But there is the fundamental level where--absent the opportunity to learn in person that a child with brain damage or genetic malfunction is every bit your essential "equal" (or sometimes "better") as a human being and having as a given the option to kill on sight such sub-humans--I think we end up with a very skewed notion of what is and is not Essentially human"
-Askel5
"And there hasn't been a day when he's felt sorry for himself. Not one day. He's teaching me more about courage, strength and heart by his example than I thought possible. Try feeling sorry for yourself when your kid can't go a day without nearly dying. Try to feel sorry for that kid when he gets up, brushes it off and goes back to playing. YUP. These kids DO teach us what it means to be human."
-Marie
Every moment is precious. Life is precious. Even if its short it can be filled with joy, humor and love..."
-Marie
What a wonderful thread. There is so much wisdom here. God bless all those who are disabled and their loving families.