I just watched a video about a man with Down Syndrome who owns his own restaurant. Obviously it does not tell us all about his life, but there certainly are some really commendable facets to his life.
It made me think of others who have developmental problems, yet they seem to thrive, rather than just survive in life. They may not succeed in the work or business or sports or art world, but sometimes they have relational skills that are amazing.
One of my buddies from my younger years suffered physical and developmental problems. He stumbled when he walked (often having cuts, bruises, broken teeth), he had a withered hand and spoke haltingly. I heard, many years later, that he may have also suffered physical violence from people close to him.
Yet, he never complained, he never gossiped, he never criticized. He was kind and loving. I would have to ask him about his injuries and he would just tell it without whining. I saw him fall from time to time, so I had no reason to think it was anything else. Yes, he could be taunted into anger or frustration, but it did not show up in any of the ways I just mentioned. I loved him as a brother, and I knew he was special, but never appreciated him fully.
He use to stop by my house on Sunday mornings, so that we could walk to Sunday School together. I was always late, so I would tell him to go on ahead; after all, I would catch up with him since he only shuffled along.
One day he and I were talking and he said (in his impaired speech), "Dadit, I am not like you or other people." My heart broke. He knew that he was different, and it bothered him down deep. I choked back my emotions and told him that he was really special and he was a great friend and a really good guy. I told him that his physical issues were more of a problem than his learning disabilities. In fact, he was insightful and smart, but he was not educated.
Anyway, he never whined, cried, complained, criticized. I know people today who have all of the advantages but they are walking bags of negativity, excuse making and intolerance. Actually, they are the ones who are stunted in their growth. They are the ones with developmental problems far greater than my old friend.
My friend had no choice about his condition, but most people do have a choice, and they choose wrongly.
I am crying even now.
I cry as I remember my old friend; I cry as I think of people being held in the bondage of spiritual toxicity.
It made me think of others who have developmental problems, yet they seem to thrive, rather than just survive in life. They may not succeed in the work or business or sports or art world, but sometimes they have relational skills that are amazing.
One of my buddies from my younger years suffered physical and developmental problems. He stumbled when he walked (often having cuts, bruises, broken teeth), he had a withered hand and spoke haltingly. I heard, many years later, that he may have also suffered physical violence from people close to him.
Yet, he never complained, he never gossiped, he never criticized. He was kind and loving. I would have to ask him about his injuries and he would just tell it without whining. I saw him fall from time to time, so I had no reason to think it was anything else. Yes, he could be taunted into anger or frustration, but it did not show up in any of the ways I just mentioned. I loved him as a brother, and I knew he was special, but never appreciated him fully.
He use to stop by my house on Sunday mornings, so that we could walk to Sunday School together. I was always late, so I would tell him to go on ahead; after all, I would catch up with him since he only shuffled along.
One day he and I were talking and he said (in his impaired speech), "Dadit, I am not like you or other people." My heart broke. He knew that he was different, and it bothered him down deep. I choked back my emotions and told him that he was really special and he was a great friend and a really good guy. I told him that his physical issues were more of a problem than his learning disabilities. In fact, he was insightful and smart, but he was not educated.
Anyway, he never whined, cried, complained, criticized. I know people today who have all of the advantages but they are walking bags of negativity, excuse making and intolerance. Actually, they are the ones who are stunted in their growth. They are the ones with developmental problems far greater than my old friend.
My friend had no choice about his condition, but most people do have a choice, and they choose wrongly.
I am crying even now.
I cry as I remember my old friend; I cry as I think of people being held in the bondage of spiritual toxicity.
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