Love, Honesty, And Truth

To the Editor:

In response to Timothy Shriver’s letter [to Special Olympics families] regarding the passing of his mother, Eunice, and her undying devotion to Special Olympics, I would like to underscore her many insights regarding the special people of the world.

As a mother of a special daughter whom we have been raising within our family since birth, now 12, and as a registered nurse employed by the State of Connecticut for a group home administering nursing care to adults with intellectual disabilities, I invite the public to read Mr Shriver’s comments about his mother’s acceptance of people regardless of their challenges.

Perhaps what is such a paradox with this population of people is their unconditional love, their ageless innocence, and their joy to be alive. Time and time again, each moment that I spend with my special child at home I am lifted by her laughter, her compassion, and her endless attempts to succeed at what others take for granted. Similarly, the intellectually challenged adults at the Department of Developmental Services may not be able to talk in full sentences, but the gleam in their eyes and their acknowledging smile teach the staff unconditional love.

Even though some children will always be dependent on their family for constant care and supervision, they are a refection of perfection; for human perfection is not proportionate to the number of chromosomes one has, nor is it measured in one’s ability, but it should be seen in those that bring out the best of us while we unconditionally serve those that cannot rely on themselves.

Moreover, Mr Shiver quotes the Trappist monk and social activist Thomas Merton who said… “the beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image lest we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.”

Next time you see a challenged child or adult, remember that they were made by God in His perfect plan, that being said, see them as I do — teachers for the rest of us about love, honesty, and truth.

Delia Ferrandino RN BS MA-ADNS

Bethel Health Care, RN DDS

Lower Fairfield Center/Norwalk CT

Norwalk                                                                           August 12, 2009