I have known many people - both secular and religious who have worked in this feild and described similar reasons - but used different language in doing so. Does experience precede language? If so can we be sharing experiences and not knowing it?
2007-11-17 06:17:55 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
may i first address michael p's comment - "They have an instinct for the spiritual realities which escape the crowded minds of "absent minded scientists"."
are you presuming all scientists have no spirituality then? i would have to disagree about that my friend :)
my work has mainly been involved with both children and adults in this area.
i find it immensely rewarding and very humbling.
i am meant to be teaching them, but i usually end up learning from them, about life and myself!
the smallest gesture can mean so much, from me or from them. the people i work with have so much appreciation for the world around them, and very few prejudices.
one of my most touching moments was when an autistic boy of 8, who had never spoken , said 'no' in class one day! a huge achievement.
i am just happy to be able to be part of that experience when it occurs.
experience does indeed precede language. and very often language is not necessary to communicate. a glance, a gesture, or just a sense of something shifting - when we are aware and do notice these moments, we are fully sharing that experience. and it is spiritual! the impact is tremendous.
thank you for a lovely question!
brightest blessings
2007-11-17 10:14:30 · answer #1 · answered by hedgewitch 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the "Friendship" programme for people with developmental disabilities is run by chuches where I live.
They have an instinct for the spiritual realities which escape the crowded minds of "absent minded scientists".
"Gateway Clubs" also help people with a learning disability take part in leisure, social and creative activities in 700 social clubs across Great Britain (see link).
2007-11-17 14:46:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I taught children with severe developmental disabilities for 30 years. It had a spiritual impact on me. It made me ask a lot of questions about God, life and our the American secular culture. It was one of the experiences that brought me to God and where I am now spiritually. So, if I understand your question correctly, my experience preceeded language about faith. I'm not clear on your last question. Could you please explain further? Who is sharing and what experiences and how are we not knowing it?
2007-11-17 14:26:09 · answer #3 · answered by Suen 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I worked for four years with children with autism. My main client was a 11 year old boy named Nicholas who was nonverbal. We couldn't communicate with words at all but we were very close. He is still to this day like my little brother. I love him so much. He is 17 years old now!! There is definitely a major spiritual connection there for me because a person with developmental disabilities relies on others a lot for things the rest of us take for granted. I love any situation where people are helping people. I helped him brush his teeth and tie his shoes, he helped me learn how to be a better person.
2007-11-17 14:25:58 · answer #4 · answered by Linz VT•AM 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I have worked with people that have had many different kinds of disabilities. it always makes me thankful that my children and I are healthy. each individual gets different things from experiences. no 2 people experience the same thing in the same way. we can share an experience and not receive the same benefits from it as any other person.
2007-11-17 14:26:28 · answer #5 · answered by wendy_da_goodlil_witch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
((VC))
As you know I have.
Yet I am having a hard time putting it to words.
I know I have learned as much if not more from the kids I work with.
My reason's are because I know above all "independence is valued more than anything"
Doing the laundry sucks but not having the ability to do it sucks even more.
When I see a kid achieve a new thing, a thing others said would never happen...seeing that realization in the kid's face is what makes it all worth it. And when it happens a spiritual connection is made...because I had faith in that kid and he/she had faith in me.
2007-11-17 14:38:51 · answer #6 · answered by queen of snarky-yack again 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have. I'm not sure what you are asking though. Why did I work with people with disabilities? Because they are people. It makes me feel good to help others. It makes me overjoyed when some small gain has been made. It makes me happy to make them happy. It is an extremely enriching experience to work with people, and when you can actually make a difference in their lives it is even more enriching.
2007-11-17 14:22:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, one of my lost causes is the answerer above me. Unfortunately, he's disabled his email, so the therapy has reached a standstill.
2007-11-17 14:21:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I worked voluntary in a special needs school....
I dont know what it is , but those children have something special ... they shouldn't be special needs , just special
my nephew also ... he has cerebral palsy and is partially sighted
and when I hold him .... he lights up my life ... literally
it is spiritual , special , just something ... I dont know
just something
2007-11-17 14:22:43 · answer #9 · answered by ☮ Pangel ☮ 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I work with atheist here on Q & A all the time.
2007-11-17 14:19:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 7⤋