The Nate and Melissa test
My kids have a test that they use to determine whether a relationship, particularly a potentially romantic one, is worth pursuing. They bring the person to our house and see how they respond to Nate and Melissa. Nathan is 21 and has a dual diagnosis of Down Syndrome and autism. Melissa is 17 and has Down Syndrome. Melissa is your typical person with Down Syndrome, loves to hug, loves to laugh. She is quite articulate and, once she gets over her initial shyness, will plop down next to you and start up a conversation. Nate, on the other hand, is much more reserved. He will probably say hello, but is not much of a hugger. He has his quirky 'autistic' tics and his speech is hard to understand if you aren't used to it. Some people just don't feel comfortable being this close to people with disabilities but,as far as the rest of their siblings feel, if someone can't accept Nate and Melissa, that's it.
Sadly, my denomination (PCUSA), as well as many others, flunk the Nate and Melissa test. Oh, they say they are inclusive and have staff people who focus on disability rights, but they also say that their disability could makes it "morally justifiable" to take their life before they are born. I am sorry, but you can have all the Accessibility Sunday's you want, but if you feel that an unborn child with my kids' disability makes it possible for someone to decide that it would be better off if they weren't born, that's not much of a welcome.
My kids have a test that they use to determine whether a relationship, particularly a potentially romantic one, is worth pursuing. They bring the person to our house and see how they respond to Nate and Melissa. Nathan is 21 and has a dual diagnosis of Down Syndrome and autism. Melissa is 17 and has Down Syndrome. Melissa is your typical person with Down Syndrome, loves to hug, loves to laugh. She is quite articulate and, once she gets over her initial shyness, will plop down next to you and start up a conversation. Nate, on the other hand, is much more reserved. He will probably say hello, but is not much of a hugger. He has his quirky 'autistic' tics and his speech is hard to understand if you aren't used to it. Some people just don't feel comfortable being this close to people with disabilities but,as far as the rest of their siblings feel, if someone can't accept Nate and Melissa, that's it.
Sadly, my denomination (PCUSA), as well as many others, flunk the Nate and Melissa test. Oh, they say they are inclusive and have staff people who focus on disability rights, but they also say that their disability could makes it "morally justifiable" to take their life before they are born. I am sorry, but you can have all the Accessibility Sunday's you want, but if you feel that an unborn child with my kids' disability makes it possible for someone to decide that it would be better off if they weren't born, that's not much of a welcome.
posted by Pastorjeff | 12:18 PM
3 Comments:
Right On! Thanks for this courageous post. The Imago Dei that every human being bears is not sullied by any kind of disability.
Russell
Thanks, Russell. I don't know how courageous it is, but it's sad that, in the Body of Christ, these thngs have to be said.
It really is sad. I knew the PCUSA was into some strange stuff, but had no idea they were all about the abortions.
On a side note, I'm glad to have passed the Nate and Melissa test, because it is truly an honor to be counted among the Carter tribe.
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