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What have you been taught by mentally challenged persons?
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What have you been taught by mentally challenged persons? - 10/30/2009 8:09:15 PM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3188
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From: being knit together in my mother's womb
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So many have a tendency to write off those who were born with apparent mental challenges as well as those who develop such later. They are often not taken seriously, are treated with disdain, are ignored, etc.
I don't have a lot of such person in my life, but through the years, i have had some, and I have found each one I have spent any time with to be delightful. Yes, I recognise that may not always be the case, since it depends upon the individual, but this has been my experience.
In the last couple weeks, I had some interaction with someone who is apparently mentally challenged. What a delight! This person has a never-ending smile, always speaks positively, always desires to encourage others, always looks on the right side of life and hope to encourage others to do the same.
I would like to read the posts of others who have had similar experiences. Tell us about these people.
Thank you!
_____________________________
While in prayer or praise, I am only as devoted to G-d as I am in my most private moments.
Abiyah, if you had known them as G-d knows them, you would have answered them differently.
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RE: What have you been taught by mentally challenged pe... - 10/30/2009 8:50:22 PM
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daughteroftheking718
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I am one of them, as I was diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy which brings with it both physical and mental problems. As speaking as one who knows the challenges those who suffer with mental difficulties face I have also learned a ton from the. Some of my closest friends in high school were classified as mentally retarded and even though many were unable to fully articulate what they wanted they enjoyed life to the fullest, and allowed nothing to get in their way. They acted as "one of the gang", and they dreamed big and let nothing get in their way
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RE: What have you been taught by mentally challenged pe... - 10/30/2009 8:59:33 PM
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KaptZ
Posts: 177
Joined: 10/28/2009
From: The swamps of Jersey
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To lighten up!
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What have you been taught by mentally challenged persons? - 10/30/2009 10:09:16 PM
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PinkCarnations
Posts: 10817
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To enjoy the finer things in life......... like love, laughter, sunshine, flowers, friends, etc.
_____________________________
Thank you Veterans.
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RE: What have you been taught by mentally challenged pe... - 10/30/2009 10:10:35 PM
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prolifepj
Posts: 1112
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From: just over yonder
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Behind our house back in MS there was a home for the severely mentally challenged that I used to visit every few weeks to give haircuts. The attitudes were almost always positive, sweet and gentle.
When I was in college, the state hosted a massive special olympics event and I volunteered to help. It was humbling, and such a blast to see how they would cheer each other on and encourage one another to keep going and not give up. They were sweeter to strangers than I am to my own family at times!
I learned...and still am, to try and always be kind. Simple, but one of the things I've struggled with the most throughout my life - they had it figured out!
_____________________________
Sho nuff honey chile - Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to!
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RE: What have you been taught by mentally challenged pe... - 10/31/2009 12:19:09 AM
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LCannon
Posts: 1120
Joined: 2/22/2007
From: Lebanon, OR
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"People with disabilities are God's best visual aids to demonstrate who He really is. His power shows up best in weakness. And who by the world's standards is weaker than the mentally or physically disabled? As the world watches, these people persevere. They live, love, trust and obey Him. Eventually the world is forced to say, "How great their God must be to inspire this kind of loyalty." (Joni Eareckson Tada)
PS: The first I heard 'Physically challenged' was from the lips an 'able' person as though it was a badge of courage. I personally know no disabled people that label themselves 'challenged'. We have enough challenges without badges.
_____________________________
'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' (Joshua 1:5)
''Let the very worst thing come to pass[and]even there,
especially there; His hand will hold.' -Elisabeth Elliot-
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RE: What have you been taught by mentally challenged pe... - 10/31/2009 12:42:53 AM
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Bluethread
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I have worked in a public service job that puts me in contact with all kinds of people. I have seen several mentally challenged people and do not accept the concept of these people being devine by nature. Like the rest of society, mentally challenged people come with all kinds of presonality types. Yes, some are seemingly always cheerful, but some are depressives, easily agitated, or even down right mean. Their simplicity often causes people to engage in transferance, seeing what they wish to see in the absence of complexity. One thing that I do find refreshing though is the lack of guile. This requires the ability to anticipate the thoughts and actions of another and manipulate those thoughts and actions. This is beyond capabilities of most of them, so one need not fear such manipulation. When they are angry, they are honestly angry. When they are happy, they are honestly happy.
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"Show me wherein I have errored and I will hold my tongue." Iyov(Job)
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RE: What have you been taught by mentally challenged pe... - 10/31/2009 12:48:27 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3188
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From: being knit together in my mother's womb
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DaughteroftheKing, I once had a young neighbor who lived down the street and was kicked out of her house at age 15. She had cerebral palsy. She caught me as we were driving 1/2 way across the US for a vacation. We were backing down our driveway when she came running up. I went down, got her mother to sign her over to me, stopped and bought her some clothes, and she went with us. She lived with us just over a year, when the state came down on me because I was not a licensed foster parent. She had to go into a foster home.
She told me she was mentally challenged. I never believed that. I think they always told her she was, she grew up believing it, and she just accepted it. I still don't believe it. She was one smart cookie. I would challenge her when she didn't realize what I was doing, and she always came out on top. We have since lost contact. I wish we had not. I could push to find her, and maybe I could, but she has a life. I don't want to push into her business.
lighten up, love, laughter, etc. No kidding. Some of us search our whole lifetimes for what these people already have. We just don't look at things the right way.
Oh, Prolife Pajamas, you would be there, right in the middle of it all! I can just imagine. 
Cannon, I enjoyed reading Joni's words. I used to have this on my posts:quote:
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
And you are so right. We are often at a loss for words, and we respond badly at times.
Thank you, Blue. 
< Message edited by Covaan_Meshuga -- 10/31/2009 12:55:28 AM >
_____________________________
While in prayer or praise, I am only as devoted to G-d as I am in my most private moments.
Abiyah, if you had known them as G-d knows them, you would have answered them differently.
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RE: What have you been taught by mentally challenged pe... - 10/31/2009 4:44:18 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1826
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My experience comes via my husband. As a large animal veterinarian, he worked for many different people. One farm was a father and son operation and the son was 'retarded'. I use that word deliberately because that is what it was called and also how it was viewed (negative connotation and all).
That 'retarded' son was a believer. He and my husband would get into spiritual conversations as my husband worked on the cows. Sometimes my husband would be struggling and this 'retarded' man would be his spiritual encourager. One time, after my husband had been at their farm, he wrote a letter to my husband. The letter was printed in large size letters and was page upon page. But the content was so beautiful. And the heart behind the content even more beautiful.
My husband was humbled. He was humbled that this 'retarded' man would take the time to minister to him so and expend the energy this letter obviously cost him. My husband's arrogance (this is 'his' perspective, not mine) was being dealt with by the Lord through this 'retarded' man.
The lesson? We both saw the beauty of this man and how wrong our attitudes and labels often are. We allowed the Lord's slap upside the head to change us.
We have one regret. We didn't save the letter. But we have a beautiful testimony of the Lord's wonderful ways through this man with mighty challenges. . . the biggest of which (to us) were our own attitudes.
_____________________________
Liveloved
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Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
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RE: What have you been taught by mentally challenged pe... - 11/1/2009 12:42:36 AM
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IwillseekHim
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Joined: 5/17/2009
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I have a neighbor who has a daughter, age 30, who is mentally challenged. She was not born this way, but developed a fever at the age of 2 and went into a siezure due to lack of oxygen. Let me tell you now, this woman touches my heart like no one else ever has. She has a mentality of a 5 year old. Her faith in God is a beautiful thing. When I was experiencing those migraines a few months back I spent alot of time over there at her house. Husband wasn't home and I was scared to be alone. This sweet soul would see the amount of pain I was in and would lay hands on my forehead and pray! It was an awesome thing to witness her faith in our Lord. She also loves to sing. She has a microphone and will serede me everyday with the most beautiful voice singing Amazing Grace and Come Morning. I can't even begin to describe how humbling that is to hear her. She has no worries, no complaints. She loves the Lord and her love is infectious. I thank God she is my neighbor.
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RE: What have you been taught by mentally challenged pe... - 11/1/2009 1:33:17 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3188
Joined: 6/8/2005
From: being knit together in my mother's womb
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Wow.
Thank you.
_____________________________
While in prayer or praise, I am only as devoted to G-d as I am in my most private moments.
Abiyah, if you had known them as G-d knows them, you would have answered them differently.
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RE: What have you been taught by mentally challenged pe... - 11/8/2009 1:42:00 AM
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Lea_3
Posts: 300
Joined: 3/7/2006
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I've worked with people who have mental and developmental disabilities for years. They've taught me quite a few things:
1. Appreciation for what you can do. There was one particular client who had a degenerative muscular disease that over the years, prohibited her movement. You could tell from her behaviors (negative and positive) that she had a desire to be active and take part in what was going on in her surroundings, but sadly her mind and her body would no longer allow it. Being able to think abstractly, to think quickly, to be able to foresee consequences, to think on your feet-- these are things we all take for granted.
2. Patience. As people who are typically- thinking, sometimes we rush in trying to get things done and we don't realize that the people we serve or come into contact aren't able to do the same. They ask us to be patient and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I often find myself liking the "slowness" to be able to take a step back and realize that there's no reason to rush sometimes.
3. Mentally challenged children have taught me to enjoy simplicity. Some of the things that have come out of their mouths over the years-- oh, I could throw my head back and laugh! It's so hilarious. They seem to be able to appreciate everything and I've never come across an UNHAPPY mentally challenged child. One girl I worked with was always happy-- she would sing, smile, clap her hands, and ask for (and give out) hugs. It was never a dull moment.
4. Mentally challenged individuals have also reminded me of my own frailty. Oftentimes, we'd like to think that we're invincible and as long as we pray and do our duties as Christians, we're set for long healthy lives. But anything can happen in the blink of an eye which could cause our lives to parallel individuals with mental handicaps. Traumatic brain injury, surgery complications, strokes, artery ruptures, etc...anything can change.
In a way, we're not all that different from these individuals...we were all created in the image of God, but in different ways. I honestly believe God places people with disabilities--physical, mental, and developmental--on this earth to remind us to be thankful and appreciative and to honor the sacredness of life.
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RE: What have you been taught by mentally challenged pe... - 11/8/2009 1:43:27 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3188
Joined: 6/8/2005
From: being knit together in my mother's womb
Status: offline
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Amein!!
_____________________________
While in prayer or praise, I am only as devoted to G-d as I am in my most private moments.
Abiyah, if you had known them as G-d knows them, you would have answered them differently.
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RE: What have you been taught by mentally challenged pe... - 11/8/2009 10:09:31 PM
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makarizo
Posts: 2524
Joined: 4/13/2005
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Long ago, I taught a 7th grade sunday school class, and one of the member of that class was a 56 year old mentally challenged individual, he supposedly had the mentality of a 7th grader and that was why they stuck him in my class......He and I became friends instantly, and I grabbed the attendance book and set it in front of him and told him that his job was to keep attendance every morning..... I wanted to give him a responsibility, something to make him feel like he was a part.
the superintendent was a little upset with me when he found this out because the attendance was pretty important, until he (and me) found out that quinten had been keeping attendance records accurate, and that he knew the names of all 26 kids.
LOL he was doing better than I would have.
never sell them short.
_____________________________
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