This is a book about love, bravery, strength of spirit, and the discrimination faced by the disabled on a daily basis. It is my family’s story, but it is a story surely shared by the disabled and their families throughout the world.
This book is dedicated to my son, Joseph, and, also, to all disabled people and their families throughout the world. My hope is that, by reading this book, by getting to know one family’s experience in navigating the world of the disabled, that the world will finally recognize the attributes of the disabled and the value of their existence in this world. The disabled display an incredible amount of bravery on a daily basis and, for the most part, display no malice towards others. They are, therefore, a segment of the population that should be emulated and not discriminated against. The world could be a much better place if people became able to see and understand these attributes and treat them with the dignity and respect that they earn every day of their lives just by being themselves.
This is the story of Joseph’s, as well as his family’s, journey in the world
of the disabled, a world plagued by discrimination, suffering, isolation,
and cruelty. It is also a story of the love, determination, bravery, and
kindness extended to Joseph by the people who were willing to see
beyond his disabilities and allowed themselves to be entranced by
his beautiful smile, his contagious laugh, his physical beauty, and his
amazing strength of spirit. He was a valiant warrior who exceeded the
low expectations set for him, constantly encouraged by parents who
loved him without conditions and believed in his ability to soar above
those expectations given him by a world that failed to consider his
amazing strength of spirit.
In the process, he taught his parents many things that they never
imagined would be a part of their journey in this life. He taught them to
be brave. He taught them to be strong. He taught them that the strength
of the human spirit is something that should never be underestimated.
He taught them by example.
Sometimes the disabled achieve things considered to be great by the
world’s standards, and sometimes they achieve things that are still great,
just not on the world stage. The journey of my son, Joseph, was the latter.
He fought the smaller battles that might eventually lead to winning the
war. His was that proverbial “one voice singing in the darkness.” My
husband and I listened to his “voice.” He made us better people by
having known and “listened” to him. It is now up to us to continue to
spread his message until the whole world has heard it.
The disabled, just by being themselves, have the ability when given the
opportunity to enable people to see their bravery, their strength of spirit,
and the amazing grace with which they face their disabilities to effect a
change in the hearts and minds of people, ultimately making the world
a better place one person at a time. Ultimately, isn’t that the reason that
we all come to this earth, to become better people and leave the world a
better place than we found it?
Copyright © 2019 Dear Joseph, Love Mom - All Rights Reserved.