The Shadow
Dear Editor,
March is National Intellectual Disabilities month.
For me this has a very special meaning as I have the awesome privilege of knowing many adults with this diagnosis, in one form or another.
I hope that by the time you read this, you will understand why I am so passionate about this subject.
An intellectual disability is characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills.
This disability originates before the age of 18.
While a diagnosis is important to give you a general reference point, it cannot and should not be taken as the sole indicator of what a person can/cannot do.
For me, it is very rewarding to be involved in the lives of many individuals with intellectual disabilities.
I have exposure to people who are born with challenges all the way through the life span, to those who are struggling with their transition from this life.
In one form or another, we all have challenges that we face in life: maybe you cannot read very well, maybe you are slow in formulating mathematical problems, or have a limp when you walk or it could be that you must wear eyeglasses in order to see this newsprint.
What is always important to keep in mind is that we all want and need to be seen with “normalcy,” to be treated with dignity, to have others be concerned with our health and safety, and to have our community accept us, just the way we are.
Those who have an intellectual disability are just as you or I when it comes to these matters, they may just need extra help in their daily lives.
You may see us in the community, whether in a local store, in the park, or at one of our many sites that we volunteer our time, hopefully, you will not see us as different because we have an intellectual disability.
Please, take the time to remember the God made each of us as an individual; a perfect human being, each very different from the other.
Some of us may be tall or short, have different abilities than others, and we all look different but the fact remains that no one wants to be judged or looked down upon.
All any of us want in this lifetime is to be acknowledged, wanted, and part of a bigger existence.
We all want to have our community to embrace us and accept each of us for our own unique differences.
As a community we always seem to be in a hurry and just want to go on with our lives in a busied mannered – we should stop and ask ourselves, what we can do to support one another?
We all have hopes and dreams as individuals, as a society, and as a nation.
When we choose to look at each as precious gifts rather than as flawed human beings, we can see the worth of all of God’s children.
Thank you for allowing me to share my personal thoughts.
I hope that I have said some things that will provide food for thought. See you in the community!
Sincerely,
Vicky Sorrels, RN
(Commonwealth Lifespan Services)
Grafton St , Clifton Forge
