The "reason" given for exclusion varies from place to place. Inclusion, it seems, is illusion, even in 2008 in America today.
Fear and loathing are probably the main motivations for excluding individuals. The idea that we may have to consider the feelings of someone different from self is startling to us. It immediately raises to our consciousness our own bias. Something we don't want to acknowledge, or be associated with. Do we prefer "Out of sight, out of mind?"
But a group, City, State or Country is handicapped when not all of its individuals are considered members of the community, much less respected members of the community. The issue then, and which we have been skirting for a long time, is "Who should be members of the community, and how do we respect this commitment?"
How do we build community. How do we value community? How do we open ourselves to the views of others, whom we have learned to ignore, scorn, and speak with contempt about?
Yes, indeed, this is the question. How do we build community?
Read the rest of this important post at from the port.
A NY Times piece features a story about seriously ill and disabled children and a doctor estimates that 70% of those he sees could wind up institutionalized in nursing homes after the age of eighteen based on the present resources and community care.
Institutionalizing those with disabilities, rather than having alternative community care as children and their parents who care for them age, takes them out of our community. This is one of the main reasons that community care, which is less expensive, is being sought on a wider scale by disability advocates and is supported by the USCCB.
Part of building community is accepting that, although our lives may look different to each other, the things that give us meaning and a sense of purpose are the same. Until we do that and embrace the diversity that occurs among human beings, an "out of sight, out of mind" exclusionary attitude will continue to be reflected in our social policies.
In this 2005 letter, the USCCB writes in support of legislation to help attain the goal of community living:
On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Catholic Health Association of the United States, and the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, we are writing to thank you and express our support for your legislation, the Medicaid Community-Based Attendant Services and Supports Act of 2005 (MiCASSA), S. 401/H.R. 910.
Our faith calls us to work for the full inclusion of all persons with disabilities in society and in the Church. This is rooted in the earthly ministry of Jesus, whose deep concern for the sick and for the men and women with disabilities he encountered is clear in the New Testament. Throughout history, the Church has followed Jesus’ example through its diverse healing ministry, seen today in the Catholic health care facilities, community health clinics and Catholic charities agencies that serve millions and millions of people in our country.
In recent decades, our Church has come to a greater understanding of the needs of our brothers and sisters with disabilities. In 1978, the bishops issued their Pastoral Statement on People with Disabilities. In that statement, the bishops called upon all people of good will to work with people with disabilities to improve their living conditions and ensure that each individual is able to achieve the fullest measure of personal development of which he or she is capable.
It is in that spirit that we are pleased to support MiCASSA. With the services that MiCASSA would make available, more people with disabilities will be able to move from institutional care to lives of independence in their communities. The legislation will give them the choices and control over their lives they deserve. It will also increase the ability of people with disabilities to fulfill the duty we all share, to contribute to the common good through work, service and participation in community life.
via USCCB site
To read more about MiCASSA, go here.
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