|
A Credo for Support
Throughout history, people with physical and mental disabilities have been abandoned at birth, banished from society, used as court jesters, drowned and burned during the inquisition, gassed in Nazi Germany, and still continue to be segregated, institutionalized, tortured in the name of behaviour management, abused, raped, euthanized and murdered. Now, for the first time, people with disabilities are taking their rightful place as fully contributing citizens. The danger is that we will respond with remediation and benevolence rather than equity and respect. And so, we offer you ...
A Credo for Support
Do Not see my disability as the problem.
Recognise that my disability is an attribute.
Do Not see my disability as a deficit.
It is you who see me as Deviant and Helpless.
Do Not try to fix me, because I am not broken.
Support me. I can make my contribution to the community in my own way.
Do Not see me as your client.
I am your fellow citizen. See me as your neighbour.
Remember, none of us can be self-sufficient.
Do Not try to modify my behaviour. Be still and listen.
What you define as inappropriate may be my attempt to communicate
with you in the only way I can.
Do Not try to change me, you have no right.
Help me learn what I want to know.
Do Not hide your uncertainty behind “professional” distance.
Be a person who listens and does not take my struggle away from me
by trying to make it all better.
Do Not use theories and strategies on me. Be with me.
And when we struggle with each other, let that give rise to self-reflection.
Do Not try to control me. I have a right to my power as a person.
What you call non-compliance or manipulation may actually be
the only way I can exert some control over my life.
Do Not teach me to be obedient, submissive or polite.
I need to feel entitled to say No if I am to protect myself.
Do Not be charitable towards me.
The last thing the world needs is another Jerry Lewis.
Be my ally against those who exploit me for their own gratification.
Do Not try to be my friend. I deserve more than that.
Get to know me. We may become friends.
Do Not help me, even if it does make you feel good.
Ask me if I need your help.
Let me show you how you can best assist me.
Do Not admire me.
A desire to live a full life does not warrant adoration.
Respect me, for respect presumes equity.
Do Not tell, correct and lead.
Listen, Support and Follow.
Do Not work on me.
Work with me.”
Dedicated to the memory of Tracy Latimer
Written and produced by Norman Kunc and Emma Van Der Klift
Copies available through Axis Consultation and Training,
email normemma@normemma.com or visit http://www.normemma.com/
And you learn
After a while you learn …
The subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul.
And you learn
That love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't mean security.
And you begin to learn
That kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises.
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes ahead
With the grace of a woman or man
Not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn
That even sunshine burns if you bask too much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn
That you really can endure
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth.
And you learn
And you learn
With every goodbye
You learn.
Beauty Tips
(from Audrey Hepburn)
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, revived,
reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find them
at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands,
one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode,
but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows.
The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.
Children learn what they live ...
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and Friendship,
he learns to find love in the world.
For the Garden of Your Daily Living...
Plant three rows of peas:
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul
Plant four rows of squash:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness
Plant four rows of lettuce:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another
No garden is without turnips:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another
To conclude our garden we must have thyme:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends
Water freely with patience, and cultivate with love.
There is much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow.
Recipe for Life
I am committed to feeding
My body with nourishment
My mind with inspiration
My partner with acceptance
My child with encouragement
My parents with appreciation
My friends with honesty
My trees with caring
My soil with gentleness
My society with service
My planet with sensitivity
My soul with hope
As I feed – so I am fed
To do otherwise is a recipe
for becoming fed up!
I am committed to feeding,
that I may live
You don’t have to buy these ingredients
You have them within you now
To Realise
To realise the value of a sister,
Ask someone who doesn't have one
To realise the value of ten years,
Ask a newly divorced couple
To realise the value of four years,
Ask a university graduate
To realise the value of one year,
Ask a student who has failed a final exam
To realise the value of nine months,
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn
To realise the value of one month,
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby
To realise the value of one week,
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper
To realise the value of one hour,
Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet
To realise the value of one minute,
Ask a person who has missed a plane
To realise the value of one second,
Ask a person who has survived an accident
To realise the value of one millisecond,
Ask the person who has won a silver medal at the Olympics
To realise the value of a friend,
Ask a person who has lost one
Time waits for no one ...
Treasure every moment you have
The Ten Indian Commandments
1. Remain close the Great Spirit
2. Show great respect for your fellow beings
3. Give assistance and kindness wherever needed
4. Be truthful and honest at all times
5. Do what you know to be right
6. Look after the wellbeing of mind and body
7. Treat the earth and all that dwell thereone with respect
8. Take full responsibility for your actions
9. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good
10. Work together for the benefit of all mankind.
|
