I really enjoyed this article. I only wish I could call on my Mom now. It would be great to learn more about how people work together to create a strong bond. Since my mother's death I have felt so alone. Where do I begin. Within I guess. Thanks for the article Mr. Shriver.

Nice article. But you don't have to go to Canada or France to experience this kind of community. There are many communities right here in the US that follow a similar philosophy. My husband and I are trying the same approach in Florida. We've been caring for adults with developmental disabilities for a long time and they are the light of our lives. They are teachers and they set an example on how to face adversity for all of us. Some of them need 24 hour supervision; some need assistance with every single task. But what they give back is much more than they receive. They do not need help with thinking and feeling; they know how to show us that. Even though there are too many hurdles to face when dealing with bureaucracy and State Agencies, I cannot see myself living a better life or having better friends.

relgetc4trol

relgetc4trol

relgetc4trol

I consider myself a follower of Christ. When I read about the folks who 'work' at L'Arche I wince. If there is a hierarchy in Heaven, they will be at the top.

"That’s what Peter Frey says every time he speaks to anyone. He says it maybe 50 times a day." This does not correspond with, "Peter is among the world’s most gifted teachers of the art of relationship." What is described here is not an art, it is a pathology, and the claim that this weakness, or even sickness, can be treated with religion is disturbing. "Welcome the poor and the rejected," does not quite describe the beneficial treatment L’Arche may be providing. One thing is sure, if the staff in this facility do not understand the clinical needs of their charges, this treatment can quickly turn into mistreatment.

To Mr. Engelhart:

I don't think the article is saying that people with problems are being treated by religion as it points out that many come from mental hospitals. rather, I think the article depicts people who are providing full time care for folks that can't be helped or aren't getting help elsewhere.

Stories like these illustrate the good side of religion and how a belief in a higher good can create altruism when lack of such a belief would dictate a focus on one's own self-preservation (Darwinism speaks to each organisms own survival and perpetuation of one's own gene pool rather than caring for the whole species).

What baffles me is how Christians can also be so strongly anti-gay, pro-gun, pro-death penalty, pro-war, pro-rich and anti-social programs, and anti-environment. Anyone who doubts this, look at the core policies of our current Administration, its professed influence by Jesus, and its most ardent constituency (Christians). This is a party that started two wars, struck down health insurance for poor children (SCHIP), vetoed anti-global warming legislation, revoked the handgun ban in DC, supports torture of POWs and argues that they have no rights, and refuses to allow senior citizens to import American made drugs from Canada, even though they are cheaper to buy there than here, because doing so would cut drug companies' profits. How can Christians support a political party that runs counter to everything Jesus stood for?

Funny how Tim leaves out the part about L’Arche being a very Catholic organization:

http://www.takimag.com/sniperstower/article/why_we_fight/

Where exactly do you think this type of universal recognition of person hood originated?

Did it originate via liberalism?

I don't think so! If anything the eugenicists at "planned parenthood" would probably recommend the slaughter of these disabled members of L'Arche in the womb as is the fate of 80% of Downs children in this "liberal and rights oriented" country.

Give credit where credit is due.

Anonymous,

Do not lump all Christian together.

While the Evangelicals support the death penalty and war etc., Catholics do not.

As for the effectiveness of centralized governmental power and welfare, this can be debated all day long.

Most private and religious organizations provide much better support to the poor than the bureaucrats in D.C.

"Most private and religious organizations provide much better support to the poor than the bureaucrats in D.C."

That's simple nonsense. Even the best of them can't adequately serve those who fall through the *cracks* in government services, never mind being in a position to supplant them.

Pagan,

No one is saying to get rid of government support as they have and waste more money in a day than any non-profit has in a year; however, you are very wrong to assume that the government will (or should) provide all services needed by local communities.

Although you are not Catholic, look up subsidiarity and personalism for a reference.

Try not to worship the power of the state...as it is the most dangerous of all "religions."

Shriver says: "Everyone gives and everyone receives."

Nina says: "But what they give back is much more than they receive."

Really? If these statements were true, then anyone could work with people who have disabilities. If this were true, then taking care of these people would not be called work. Fact is that this is work for most of us mortals and the kind of work that most are ill suited to do. Those who find joy in this kind of work and are successful in their efforts are gifted people, unselfish people, and they deserve our admiration and our thanks. You may think you receive more than you give ... I doubt it.

Tim, how does one call a mother who doesn't care? The one who wants to tell you that her blood sugar level has gone up just a little bit when you begin to tell her you'd like to die because you feel so alone and feel engulfed in darkness? A mother
who doesn't call you even on Christmas day knowing
you were completely alone and yet chides you for not calling her when you do finally manage to swallow your pain and call after Christmas has passed?

Tell mothers to love their children unconditionally. Even adult children need to feel loved.

Tim- anyone CAN work with people with disabilities. Sure, we may not all be equipped to care for/tend to those who are afflicted with acute disabilities, but there are many kinds and severities of physical/mental/emotional disability out there that we can all help support. And there's a lot of ways to do so.

I think too many people think that helping the disabled is tantamount to taking them in, hand-feeding them, changing diapers, bathing them, etc, and therefore it's just too much. There's a lot more to disability than that, and a significant portion of it is within the average person's capacity to help with from time to time... people just gotta get over their inhibitions about it :)

There are L'Arche Communities in the US - see www.larcheusa.org

Also there are similar communities with and without a faith basis who work toward the same goals.

As Vanier says, "I would rather have assistants who don't believe in God but believe in people with disabilities - than have assistants who believe in God but do not believe in the disabled."

Vanier has taken a number of hits from the Pope and the Catholic hierarchy over the years. He is not a thoughtless Catholic. He's got a phd in philosophy.

L'Arche, in my experience, tries to blend community and faith with competent, informed care.

OK, I will get off my high horse now...

Tim,

Many people work with others who have disabilities. There are few like you who never see the disability, but instead, see the person. It is difficult to find - in society, in schools, in churches, in work settings - the kind of overarching understanding that you have for all people. You are my benchmark.

Dear Dr Shriver

Happy 4th of July!

Your article was beautiful and moving as always.

How's your mum? I trust she is well.

Soja John Thaikattil
Sydney, Australia