The weather has become quite pleasant. It rained sporadically, beating down the heat. I resumed my walks and, on the way, picked up fruits from Whole Foods––my favorite super market. The adjacent strip mall has many restaurants, pharmacies, banks and grocery stores.
"You know, it's becoming difficult for everyone." I was startled––looked around for the owner of the voice. It was a store employee (wore a store vest).
"What happened?" I asked.
"It's covid 19. People are falling sick," he expressed concern.
I looked at him, trying to understand . . . He was a white, young man. I understood he had (intellectual) disabilities. (UNICEF uses the term "children with disabilities," and US federal law uses "intellectual disability"). Many stores and agencies these days employ people, especially kids (legal age) with disabilities from their neighborhoods. It's so heartening.
"Don't worry. Covid is less dangerous now. But wear a mask in public places to be safe," I tried to explain.
"Yes, yes, you're right," he smiled, sounding assured.
I have worked with children with disabilities in every duty station. I personally know some of them––a friend has an autistic son, another one's son has downs syndrome. I have witnessed the pain, resilience, commitment and perseverance in the mothers of these kids . . . and their families. In Kiribati, the first Lady Madame Meme Tong told me the story of her own daughter with disabilities. Our hearts glued right away . . . She founded the first and only organization for children with disabilities in Tarawa. Possibly there are more by now.
. . . The Java café in Kathmandu had a young waiter who couldn't speak . . . I always placed my orders with him . . . with gestures. We shared some great smiles!!
"You know, it's becoming difficult for everyone." I was startled––looked around for the owner of the voice. It was a store employee (wore a store vest).
"What happened?" I asked.
"It's covid 19. People are falling sick," he expressed concern.
I looked at him, trying to understand . . . He was a white, young man. I understood he had (intellectual) disabilities. (UNICEF uses the term "children with disabilities," and US federal law uses "intellectual disability"). Many stores and agencies these days employ people, especially kids (legal age) with disabilities from their neighborhoods. It's so heartening.
"Don't worry. Covid is less dangerous now. But wear a mask in public places to be safe," I tried to explain.
"Yes, yes, you're right," he smiled, sounding assured.
I have worked with children with disabilities in every duty station. I personally know some of them––a friend has an autistic son, another one's son has downs syndrome. I have witnessed the pain, resilience, commitment and perseverance in the mothers of these kids . . . and their families. In Kiribati, the first Lady Madame Meme Tong told me the story of her own daughter with disabilities. Our hearts glued right away . . . She founded the first and only organization for children with disabilities in Tarawa. Possibly there are more by now.
. . . The Java café in Kathmandu had a young waiter who couldn't speak . . . I always placed my orders with him . . . with gestures. We shared some great smiles!!
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