Do you remember searching through the catalogs and finding the perfect shoes you just needed? Or maybe it was some games you thought you just couldn’t live without? I’m sure some people reading this don’t even know what catalogs were. They were those things that you use to get in the mail or in stores showing all of the merchandise that you could buy. I’m probably dating myself here.
Such a deeply thought-provoking post, Matt, thank you. It's reminded me that there are many shades of normal, and that life deals out immense challenges as well as rewards.
It's interesting that you got to experience that within the Autism awareness month. Although there are a lot of disorders that could represent what the lady had. And I understand feeling sad to a point but if you would think about it, that is the life that they know. We only see it as sad because it's not the life that we are used to. That lady could be really happy because that is all she knows. Good post Matthew.
I used to work at a Steiner college for young people with disabilities and I specialised in Autism. Prior to that I spent a lot of time volunteering and working with children with disabilities - wheelchairs, non-verbal etc.
I have to say I never felt sad for them. Often, I was angry on their behalf because of the systemic lack of thoughtfulness and finance in social services. Or because of how poorly things are designed (public spaces, products).
But a lot of the time they brought me deep joy. There’s innocence in how some of my folks observed things. A lot of them very talented in the arts too. And often a hidden but hilarious sense of humour.
I only felt sad when I saw that people with disabilities often become isolated once they reach the age of ‘adult’, and there simply isn’t the support available.
One of the things that kept me going when we were dealing with almost impossible demands regarding elderly relatives was simply that as bad as it was, it could have been a lot worse. A very powerful post, Matt, and something we all need reminding of every so often
Such a deeply thought-provoking post, Matt, thank you. It's reminded me that there are many shades of normal, and that life deals out immense challenges as well as rewards.
Wonderful post, Matt! Such a good reminder to be grateful.
It's interesting that you got to experience that within the Autism awareness month. Although there are a lot of disorders that could represent what the lady had. And I understand feeling sad to a point but if you would think about it, that is the life that they know. We only see it as sad because it's not the life that we are used to. That lady could be really happy because that is all she knows. Good post Matthew.
I used to work at a Steiner college for young people with disabilities and I specialised in Autism. Prior to that I spent a lot of time volunteering and working with children with disabilities - wheelchairs, non-verbal etc.
I have to say I never felt sad for them. Often, I was angry on their behalf because of the systemic lack of thoughtfulness and finance in social services. Or because of how poorly things are designed (public spaces, products).
But a lot of the time they brought me deep joy. There’s innocence in how some of my folks observed things. A lot of them very talented in the arts too. And often a hidden but hilarious sense of humour.
I only felt sad when I saw that people with disabilities often become isolated once they reach the age of ‘adult’, and there simply isn’t the support available.
One of the things that kept me going when we were dealing with almost impossible demands regarding elderly relatives was simply that as bad as it was, it could have been a lot worse. A very powerful post, Matt, and something we all need reminding of every so often