As I’ve said multiple times on this blog, we have such a tendency to focus on everything that a disability takes away that we lose sight of all that is still possible. Come on, people! This is the 21st century, where there are incredible opportunities and advancements in medicine and technology that allow people with disabilities to live “normal”, productive … Read More
Music for Your Monday: Raymond
I’m not a big country music fan. But I recently came across this song by Brett Eldredge and found it quite lovely given that the sick and the elderly are often considered a “burden” on families and society these days:
Teacher With Down Syndrome Breaks Stereotypes
Hat tip to reader Renee for emailing me this delightful story. As uplifting as it is, however, it is also a little infuriating to see this beautiful woman enriching the lives of so many young people and knowing that upwards of 90% of children prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome are never allowed make it out of the womb. It’s a … Read More
For Better For Worse…Till Death Do Us Part
Ok, people. If you liked the story American Idol contestant Paris Tassin had to tell, you’re gonna love this one. They’re not married yet, but Christ Medina is already taking his impending wedding vows very seriously. H/t The Anchoress Having this kind of love and support is so important after a major trauma like a spinal cord or brain injury. … Read More
Idol Contestant Rejected Abortion for Her Special Needs Child
Before her audition, 23 year old Paris Tassin talks about getting pregnant at 18 and choosing life for her daughter who was diagnosed with hydrocephalus in the womb:
Pope Visits Sick Children in Rome
Last week Pope Benedict XVI celebrated the Epiphany by taking time to visit the pediatric ward of Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinico Hospital (h/t Creative Minority Report): Here is what the pope said to the children with disabilities he met with when he visited the U.S. a few years ago: God has blessed you with life, and with differing talents and gifts. … Read More
A Lesson from an Old, Blind Monk
One of the last Netflix movies I rented was “Into Great Silence” about the daily lives of Carthusian monks of the Grande Chartreuse, high in the French Alps. It’s incredible to know that such a peaceful, quiet place exists in our busy, noisy world! At the end of the movie an old, blind monk shares what he knows about God … Read More
The Baby Who Didn’t Make It
In a column for Salon.com, Helena Holgersson-Shorter writes about The baby who didn’t make it: By the time we were finally ushered into the ultrasound room my husband and I were engaged in a sotto voce round of bickering — can’t believe you messed up the time/stop ruining this for me — only to be struck silent by the magical … Read More
More Than Coffee
More Than Coffee is a coffee shop located in the St. Louis area, but, as it’s name suggests, it’s so much more than that. That’s because the mission of this little shop is to ‘help challenged people one cup at a time.’ Owner Sam Malek, born with cerebral palsy, employs people with physical and mental disabilities, training them with skills … Read More
The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways
Dearest readers: I was quite honored to get an email not too long ago letting me know that I would be featured on Life on the Rock‘s “Best of 2010” episode airing tonight, Thursday December 30, at 10pm EST on EWTN. Do check it out if you get a chance. If you don’t have a way to watch it on … Read More