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I have done things over the years I am not proud of, as we all have. Or I have had certain viewpoints that have changed overtime as I've grown as a person, and learnt better. When I was a very young child, I had a 'thing' against handicapped people. People who looked different to me, who acted different. I had a fear of them I guess. I was a kid though, I didn't know any better. I have since learnt alot about this, but I do remember one story that sticks in my mind. There used to be this little boy who I saw every night when I was walking home from school with my Mum. Now this boy was deaf, no big deal right? Except this boy had deformed ears. They were kind of tangled up. I don't really know the correct terminology to use here, so I don't mean to be rude. Now I didn't want to go near this boy. Because he was different. My Mum used to stop and talk to his Dad, and I used to squirm until we could get away. One day we was walking home, and my Mum was giving me a speech about how though he looked different, he was no different to her or me and I should give this boy a chance. I blatantly refused, and in my own childish manner, declared I was never going to look at him again. So when walking past his house, and I saw him, I firmly looked in the opposite direction, and went marching on. Good plan, huh. Except, because I wasn't looking where I was going, I walked right into this boy as he was crossing my path. We collided. I was so embarrassed, and he looked rather bewildered, as I think I looked close to tears. My Mum said that should teach me a lesson. It certainly did. Ever since then I never had a problem with him. Not that I should. Who said banging your head against a brick wall doesn't work?
When my sister was pregnant with Maddy Mae, she had to have a test to see if there what the chances of Madison being Down Syndrome was. My sister was so worried about this test. Declaring she wouldn't be able to cope if it came out that there was a high chance that Madsion could be. I didn't understand all her worry, I really didn't. You see I have a very good friend who has a down syndrome baby called Daniel. Not that we think of him as Down Syndrome. He's just Daniel. My friend has had a hard time, with him to learning things. He isn't very strong, and his eye sight is pretty poor. She is blessed though. She says it just makes him all the more special. It doesn't take away from anything, everything he achieves is that more special. She doesn't love him any less. He's just her special little boy. I guess we are all special to our Mums huh.
Which leads me to the inspiration of this blog. Lin and Ralph. There is a documentary on about them soon, which is described here;
Real Life: Lin and Ralph - A Love Story
Documentary about 54-year-old wheelchair user Lin Berwick, who has been blind since the age of 15 and had cerebral palsy since birth, and her husband Ralph, now aged 70, who has recently been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. Film-maker Marilyn Gaunt follows the couple through a particularly difficult period of their lives as they struggle to keep their charitable organisation afloat, try to figure out a way to keep living independently as their health deteriorates and take up a legal battle against an airline whose manhandling allegedly worsened Lin's condition.
They may look different, but one things gets them through everything. Love. It's that simple. They have so many problems, health issues, disabilities. Yet their love for each other gets them through it. It makes them that bit more determined. They laugh together, talk to each other, they make each other happy. Soon they won't be able to play off each others strengths, soon someone will have to come and help them. I think it's beautiful, how they've almost become one person, just by supporting each other. Love gets you through anything huh. They go through everyday things anyone else do, they just have added challenges. We all may look different, but the fundamental things are the same. It took me a while to learn that, but I'm glad I did
When my sister was pregnant with Maddy Mae, she had to have a test to see if there what the chances of Madison being Down Syndrome was. My sister was so worried about this test. Declaring she wouldn't be able to cope if it came out that there was a high chance that Madsion could be. I didn't understand all her worry, I really didn't. You see I have a very good friend who has a down syndrome baby called Daniel. Not that we think of him as Down Syndrome. He's just Daniel. My friend has had a hard time, with him to learning things. He isn't very strong, and his eye sight is pretty poor. She is blessed though. She says it just makes him all the more special. It doesn't take away from anything, everything he achieves is that more special. She doesn't love him any less. He's just her special little boy. I guess we are all special to our Mums huh.
Which leads me to the inspiration of this blog. Lin and Ralph. There is a documentary on about them soon, which is described here;
Real Life: Lin and Ralph - A Love Story
Documentary about 54-year-old wheelchair user Lin Berwick, who has been blind since the age of 15 and had cerebral palsy since birth, and her husband Ralph, now aged 70, who has recently been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. Film-maker Marilyn Gaunt follows the couple through a particularly difficult period of their lives as they struggle to keep their charitable organisation afloat, try to figure out a way to keep living independently as their health deteriorates and take up a legal battle against an airline whose manhandling allegedly worsened Lin's condition.
They may look different, but one things gets them through everything. Love. It's that simple. They have so many problems, health issues, disabilities. Yet their love for each other gets them through it. It makes them that bit more determined. They laugh together, talk to each other, they make each other happy. Soon they won't be able to play off each others strengths, soon someone will have to come and help them. I think it's beautiful, how they've almost become one person, just by supporting each other. Love gets you through anything huh. They go through everyday things anyone else do, they just have added challenges. We all may look different, but the fundamental things are the same. It took me a while to learn that, but I'm glad I did
