This is it, people. This is your opportunity to stand up and show the world - more importantly, to show a family in your midst - that the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child," is true.
It will take all of you - all of your indignation, your outrage and your ire - to show a misguided few what inclusion really means, what it looks like, WHO YOU ARE.
But mostly, it will take your hearts and your hands, open in friendship, doors open in welcome, streets accessible for all - to show this family (and yourselves) that you are worthy of being called, "Home."
Home is where children are meant to feel as though they belong, inside and out.
Home is meant to be - oh, I love this- a port in the storm.
Be the port for this child, this family, each other, yourselves.
Home is NOT a place for hatred or anonymous letters filled with hate and vicious ignorance dropped into a letterbox, on an otherwise glorious summer's day.
 |
| A letter sent to a family in Newcastle, Ontario |
So as you gather close this evening, on lawns, on porches, on the very streets where you live, know that you are committing to a lifetime of support for this family, those children, everyone who loves them.
You got this, Newcastle.
Be the village I know you can be.
No. No way. You made that up. No one wrote that letter. That is something out of a bad movie. No one can be that hateful.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet.
I know otherwise.
I know it.
That is awful.
And in that person's heart, he {or she} knows how hateful it is or else he {or she} would have signed his {or her} name.
I'm so sorry that you live with some like this. Know that most people who surround you probably don't feel like this.
It is.
DeleteIt is real, it IS awful. It's beyond awful, really, that someone could spew such venom.
On a more positive note, the community is rallying around Max and his family, so that gives me hope.
My sons were born in Newcastle, where we lived before Belleville. It was a good place.
I have hope that it still is.
This ignorant person should be ashamed of herself. I may not have special needs children, but I would NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS even think the way this person does. I am so sorry for the family that received this letter, it is atrocious. If you can find out their name, I would blow up the letter, sign her name and put it up for all to see in HER front yard. Just sayin......
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Anon. I hear your anger and shock and outrage.
ReplyDeleteBut I worry for the family of the woman who wrote this - will THEY be shunned and vilified because of her? It makes my heart ache.
what awful things to say to someone !!
ReplyDeleteWow! I teach often in the Catholic elementary school in Newcastle. There is an awesome CASA program there for kids on the autism spectrum. I think a number of families with special needs kids move to the area to get access to this program. It's not always easy for the kids, the educators or the caregivers. But it is valuable. The kids in the school learn tolerance. The caregivers get a break from their hectic lifestyle and the special needs kids get a chance to learn to the best of their capabilities. They deserve that. All of our children grow by learning tolerance. I'm sorry not everyone sees the benefit and beauty in the support of inclusion.
ReplyDelete