A New Possibility..

Many events in recent days have brought our attention to issues of tolerance and compassion -- violent events in Afghanistan and Palestine, violence and prejudice directed against innocent muslim citizens in the U.S., and of course the recent commemoration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As human beings we often find it hard to move beyond our abstract and symbolic labels, to deal with each other as individual, unique human beings-- and to do so with tolerance, compassion, and respect.

It is unsurprising then that children with special physical, mental, or emotional challenges have not always found sufficient support, acceptance, and encouragement in this world. While they are no longer routinely ostracized or locked away, they are still slapped with a label and perceived as "disabled" to one extent or another. Not only are they categorized as "less than" (less able to achieve, contribute), but they are handed the additional obstacle of trying to overcome their challenges via some kind of one-size-fits all curriculum, treatment, or drug. The approach, which downplays their actual individual needs, makes it very difficult for them to ever fulfill the true potential they were born with. The labelling becomes self-fulfilling.

But what many special ed. teachers are coming to realize is that, in reality, these children are no different than the rest of us: that is, like all of us, they have come into the world with a unique mix of strengths, needs, and challenges -- like all of us, they are each "differently abled". It's simply that their challenges are often more obvious to the casual observer.

It is time then that we reduce our obsession with abstract, impersonal labels. It is time to evaluate each person as an original individual, with a unique contribution to make, and with a unique path to walk in the process. In essence: we must evaluate our individual needs and our individual inclinations in order to bring our individual gifts to fruition. Who we are, must be encouraged to unfold from the inside -- not be stamped upon us from without.

It's time to open our eyes, and our hearts, to the mystery, the potential, waiting to unfold. Instead of focusing only on the limitations, let's challenge ourselves to look for the undreamed of possibilities.

The Child With Special Needs