Our children with disabilities

A wise social worker once told me, when my 18 month old nephew was diagnosed with diabetes, that a child with diabetes was, first, a child. The diabetes was secondary.

I often thought of this over the years as I watched him grow up. When he graduated from high school last month, he looked nothing like the toddler I soothed as we gave him insulin. He has become a tall and handsome young man who enjoys soccer, lacrosse, having a girlfriend, and is looking forward to college in a few months. With diabetes - as a secondary thing.
He was an altar boy in his parish and fully participated at church.

It is my prayer that all children with disabilities have the same opportunities for inclusion that my nephew has had. There were many times his parents acted as his advocate. I know there were struggles. Their hard work was a large factor in his successful navigation through childhood.

But it also is a credit to the community he grew up in . Many people contributed to an atmosphere which helped him thrive. This kind of atmosphere is what we seek to create in our parishes. People with disabilities are different than those with illnesses. Although we sometimes get ill like any person, our main need is to be included so we can live our lives as normally as possible. This creates, as Pope John Paul II said in his adddress at the Jubille of the Disabled, a challenge to everyone.

Perhaps a parishioner with a disability wants a chance to volunteer. Or they may need a ramp or a parking spot so they can come to Mass. There needs to be a delicate balance between seeing people with disabilities as those who "need" and those who can and want to "give back".

With a loving community's help, we can ALL succeed.