Today is the annual World Down Syndrome Day. Chosen for it's date...3 copies on the 21st chromosome. Numbers that make me happy in a sick, OCD, kind of way...They stand for something pretty huge in my life...and 21 is divisible by 3, with a result of 7 which is a prime number and has recurring religious significance... but we won't get into that today...It just makes me absurdly happy.
I went on a little tear yesterday about Lots-o-Socks Day...And I posted a smart aleck picture of my feet...naked...without socks...and closed it with a nod to one of my favorite sayings/verses: "Beautiful Feet"...and it occurred to me that not only may some of you not get the reference, but it would be such a great subject for today...
Isaiah 52:7
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!"
This verse is speaking about the idea that anyone who brings good news is beautiful. The "Don't kill the messenger" thing, only in reverse. In ancient times, not only did they walk in sandals or bare feet, but they were dreadfully gross after any kind of travel and folks had to wash their feet before entering a home or dining with those you had come to visit...so this verse compounds the transformation of the messenger by referencing the messenger's feet. Not only does bringing good news make the messenger beautiful, but even the filth is gorgeous for it's participation in the travel and hardship to bring that gift of joy...and not just any gift, but the gift of Peace and Salvation.
If you read the rest of the Isaiah chapt 52, it is talking about freedom of oppression and slavery. Can you anticipate where I'm going with this?
People with disabilities is this generation's segregation. They are the ones that are repressed, their voices shut out, invisible, and abused in secret...with no consequences when the abuse is brought to light.
If I have heard one story of abuse of kids and adults with disabilities this year, I've heard 10. Kids that have been verbally beat down, kids that have been secured with duct tape, kids that have been shut in bags or closets. Kids that have been struck by teachers and aides. People who have been taken from their lives and submitted to group homes' whims, people who have been hurt and killed by bullying or simple brutality. And I've already addressed the horror of sexual abuse statistics and people with special needs. All of those words that are highlighted are links to actual news stories...and if you Google, any of those words with Down Syndrome or Special Needs, you literally have endless stories... I dare you to do it. Does that make your blood run cold, or what??
These go up constantly. And nothing is done. Teachers aren't fired. (There are of course innocent people accused and I'm not saying there aren't exceptions.) School systems have had multiple "incidents". BUT WE AREN'T GETTING ANGRY??????? These keep going on!!!!! And no one has drawn the line and said Gandalf-like, "Here, and no further!!!"
There is the silent abuse done by organizations that simply offer no support. They refuse or hide behind peace for others or security or liability risks and don't invite those with special needs in...churches, public forums, private schools...you don't HAVE to say "We don't want you, don't come back"...all you have to do is make it too hard for them to want to come back.
In schools, there is the quiet, bumping kind of abuse, where teachers and the administration are ratcheting down the least restrictive environment in such a way that we as parents have to be aware of even how the wording of our kids' goals are phrased, so they can't be used against us down the road and force our kids into self-contained classrooms.
We are making it so difficult for these families, that those on the cusp, are terrified that "those kids" will have "poor quality of life" and are aborting them before they have the chance to change our world.
I have referenced the importance of the foot soldiers. They are not "qualified"...they often don't do anything special but stand in the gap. They fight for those that cannot. And they are heroes.
So. You are the foot soldiers in the battle for RIGHT. You are aware. What are you going to do?
Are you going to flood the school systems with phone calls and mail when you hear of these incidents? Are you going to get involved in your church to make sure that families with special needs are welcomed, supported? Are you going to call your friends with kids with issues? Have lunch with them and listen? Are you going to give your wheelchairs to those who need them? Are you going to donate to those adopting kids with disabilities? Are you going to talk to those kids/parents at the play ground? Are you going to include "those kids" to your child's birthday party? Are you going to be a part of this revolution? In short, are you willing to be changed to make a change?
You know. You have feet. Step forward.
Let us not wallow in the valley of
despair, I say to you today, my friends.
And so even though we face the
difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply
rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation
will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths
to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
Sound familiar? Stand up on your feet, whether they have crazy socks on them or they are bare naked. Bring those beautiful things to your community and say to them with your actions "You have been released from oppression, whether from abuse or ignorance. And I will be your friend."
And you will be more beautiful than a trip to the spa could have ever made you.
No comments:
Post a Comment