I was assigned to spend my time with a wonderful older woman named Linda. Linda did not speak nor did she make any sound during the two or so hours I spent with her. She was severely handicapped both mentally and physically. The woman who assigned me to sweet Linda (her name was Vicky if I remember correctly) told me a little bit about her condition and her personality, and told me that Linda was not a very touchy person. She liked having her space but also loved having company. As I wheeled her wheelchair from her room to the gymnasium in which we brought all of our friends to sing songs together, I talked her ear off about...well, just about everything you can think of. I knew she could hear me and I knew it was comforting to her to have someone with her.
In the gymnasium we all sang primary and patriotic songs that all of our friends loved so much. Some would jump around and others would sing (never on tune, but just as beautiful) at the top of their lungs the sweet words often about how much their Heavenly Father loved them. Linda did not speak but would move her body to the beat of whatever song we were singing. Oh how I loved singing with sweet Linda.
After a few minutes of sitting and singing with Linda, she put her hand out to me. Remembering what Vicky said about Linda liking her personal space, I was confused wondering if she wanted me to give her something. But I soon realized she wanted me to touch her hand. I put my hand on top of hers and she rubbed her thumb back and forth on my hand and then quickly let go. I teared up at her simple, yet tender gesture signifying to me of her pure love. She held her hand out to me multiple times before it was time for our goodbyes and each time she held on just a bit longer than the last. Seeing these people that loved so wholeheartedly the MINUTE I met each one of them was truly inspiring and humbling. I hope to be able to love as purely as each of them do.
SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD
In the hours since my time at Randolph House, I have been pondering more about the sweet people I met. Their innocence is beyond what any of us can hope to attain. The adults of Randolph House are all mentally retarded and struggle with their mental and physical disabilities. Being retarded means to be mentally challenged but has evolved into a derogatory slang word that is thrown around so loosely. I heard it around school countless times every day. I see it on twitter/facebook/instagram ALL the time. I was once talking to a highly respectable grown adult and was appalled when he described his malfunctioning television set as "retarded". I know that people know what "retarded" means but most people do not understand how horrible what they are saying really is. "Retarded" went from a clinical description to a word of derision. As a community, it is of paramount importance to spread the word to end the word. It is hate speech. Truly, it is. And if more people would see it that way, less people would say it. If you agree with me, practice what you preach! Log on to www.r-word.org and PLEDGE to never use "retarded" in a derogatory manner. Once you've done so, post about it on twitter or facebook and let your friends and family know of how you are helping the cause and, consequently, inspire them to do the same. Seem simple? IT IS. It takes all of two minutes to pledge AND post about it on social media.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world."--Mahatma Ghandi.
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