tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895440453335552117.post7668155476827192158..comments2024-03-23T15:17:15.865-04:00Comments on calvin's story: lithe and long, crooked and clawedChristy Shakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00106761191160700997noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5895440453335552117.post-48796542067471045072014-05-16T13:30:28.869-04:002014-05-16T13:30:28.869-04:00Having traveled through childhood and adolescence ...Having traveled through childhood and adolescence with an awkward, legally blind, hearing aid wearing, retarded sibling, I was always sensitive to what "normal" kids thought about our weirdness. It was especially distressing if a compassionate helper from one venue became a merciless critic in another. But then I realized that I was both too. There are times that I must run away from my sister to avoid cruelty. And even times (fewer now that I am a grown up) when I am simply cruel. So I conclude that we all have the very same struggle between loving kindness and distancing scorn. If some of the NYA kids mock the event afterwards, that doesn't mean that they didn't have a profoundly moving experience at the same time. And for others, it all may have seemed perfectly normal. A little schadenfreude perhaps, or "there but for the grace," but not much more than when they meet someone with more zits or less money. The fabulous thing about the Special Olympics is that it is a public celebration of difference. The joy it brings to everyone is palpable. Thank you, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. And thanks, Christy, for reminding me of some great times with my sister, Christianne Michelle. She has a closet full of Special Olympic medals and ribbons. Like you, she was a swimmer when she was younger.Madeleinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11512411219120014997noreply@blogger.com