“As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has–or ever will have–something inside that is unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression.”
Mr. Rogers
I lent the camera to Justine. This is what she saw.
“Part of the problem with the word disabilities is that it immediately suggests an inability to see or hear or walk or do other things that many of us take for granted. But what of people who can’t feel? Or talk about their feelings? Or manage their feelings in constructive ways? What of people who aren’t able to form close and strong relationships? And people who cannot find fulfillment in their lives, or those who have lost hope, who live in disappointment and bitterness and find in life no joy, no love? These, it seems to me, are the real disabilities.”
Mr. Rogers
What can I say about these pictures to express how full my heart is right now? One of my greatest goals for my child is that she would grow up to not be afraid of the world. A world filled with so many different kinds of people with such a variety of weaknesses, strengths, and backgrounds. I want her to be cautious and safe from all harm, of course. But I want her to not be afraid of people just because they are different. I want her to have a great love and curiously for humanity. It’s the way I was raised by my own parents and one of the greatest gifts they gave me. I would never have asked that the kids experience this usually-hidden world their father is in…but since they didn’t have a choice, now that they are learning about that world, I am so moved and inspired by how boldly they are embracing it. To walk forward in LOVE is truly the most excellent way.
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WOW! The term “being on my knees” comes to mind. Usually that implies prayer, but perhaps it also means a new perspective…an open, fresh, nonjudgmental childlike way of seeing. Thank you again, Justine, for continually enriching our lives.
Thanks, Mom. I like that idea. Being on one’s knees. Its definitely a ‘lower’ point of view…I didn’t show the straight on pictures of my behind, for example. hahaha!
I see JESUS through her eyes…I see JESUS in your heart….Living life loud…LOVE is a choice not a feeling…Thank you to the little ones who teach us this daily…Thank you Justine…You are all so Beautiful!!
So, my take on the photos little beauty took? I see her as a future therapist, who exudes COMPASSION>Here is where it is hard to be a human. Let’s not underestimate how hard it is to be compassionate. Compassion is hard because it REQUIRES our inner disposition to go with others to the place where they are weak, vulnerable, lonely and broken. This is not our spontaneous response to suffering. We desire to run away from it! Or find a quick cure for it. Justine is learning the greatest gift…to ENTER into solidarity with those who suffer.
tears to that, Karen. xoxo what a great compliment for her…that she may not understand yet. But I do!
I think children aren’t normally afraid of people that are different…its taught. Just my perspective. Here is a beautiful statement that was written by Thomas Merton that Joe loves. “The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.”
Great photos! Justine showed us a whole perspective we never see from you, Allison. But she’s obviously learning a lot about photography from you.
Wonderful photographs Justine ,thankyou for sharing them, you are learning so much from mummy, love the photos of your mum and dad together and some of the staff and others on their wheel chairs… fab shot of daddys shoes, is that the first time he has had some shoes on?? talking of shoes .. see you are wearing the cat shoes we got from the clothes store in Brea, they make me smile!!Also Justine, Lewis and i have now watched Frozen on dvd, driving uncle Paul and Aaron mad with our singing!!(we are not as good at singing the songs, as you are)
Allison i think it is wonderful that Justine has had a chance to show you what she sees through the camera…and also experience other peoples lives ..you are right disability discrimination comes from “grownups”, children except others for what they are .. we have experienced that ourselves many times.
hope Justine will share some more photos another day , and maybe Maki could share his view through the camera when he returns…who knows maybe Vern could do the same soon???
xx love and hugs to you all xx
honestly, this whole post takes my breath away…as do you and your family…you always have. xoxoxo.