"There's a boy on pit crew (at camp) this week. I think he has cerebral palsy. He was here a few summers ago and my thought then was that it was nice that the camp had made space for him on staff because they invest in people no matter the ability. He was a worker, though, no doubt about it. I watched him as he struggled to get out of the lake after a swim back those few years ago. It was hard for him to get back to his feet. I offered help; he, respectfully, declined. It took a bit but he made it up. This year, you'd be hard pressed to keep up to him with his work ethic and ability, no matter your ability. I also watched him get out of the lake this year... like a boss. In him, I see courage, perseverance, strength,"
I thought what my friend shared was beautiful. Tracy and I had a conversation in class today that we both dislike the term "disability". She prefers exceptionalities, which applies to everyone. I like the terms "strength" and "challenge". Kudos to this young man who my friend wrote about, who reminds us that there is learning and growth in the struggle. Kudos to my friend who used the term "ability" rather than highlighting the DIS.
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ReplyDeleteJoanne this is absolutely perfect and lovely! It serves as a testament to the power of striving to achieve your best, of focusing on your strengths and of growth in the face of your challenges. In a day that it was easy to get a bit lost in the technology options and sea of information you have brought us all back to the reason we are all here. I am so grateful I have had the chance to spend this time with you.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne, I think you may enjoy this TEd Talk by Aimee Mullins. She starts by reading out the definition(s) for the word "disabled": https://www.ted.com/talks/aimee_mullins_the_opportunity_of_adversity?language=en "Our language isn't allowing us to evolve" (A.M.) I think that was a very powerful statement and speaks to what you mentioned above. "The only true disability is a crushed spirit!"
ReplyDelete(On a side note: We watched a Phil Hansen TEd Talk in our creativity class yesterday "Embrace the Shake": https://www.ted.com/talks/phil_hansen_embrace_the_shake?language=en ...loved it!)
Thanks, Nike. I will be sure to view both :)
DeleteJoanne, this is a great story. it reminds me of a paper I read for another class by a woman named Angela Duckworth (https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~duckwort/images/Grit%20JPSP.pdf) about Grit Theory. The idea that perseverance and commitment to a goal is more powerful to finding success, then any other factors. This story is a perfect example of just this, stick-to-it-ness. its very inspirational of the human spirit. Many of us are not truly aware of what we are actually capable of achieving. Stories like this remind us with effort and "grit" we can achieve almost anything.
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