Mindful Compassion

Watty Piper took the symbol of a simple train chugging its way up a hill when he gave us The Little Engine That Could.  “I think I can, I think I can” tooted Piper’s little train while our childhood hearts believed, I can try, I can try, I can try, which was inevitably Piper’s message.

 

For the developmentally delayed however, additional supports are necessary for some to achieve their goals.  And it is within that effort to achieve goals where we find Disability Service Workers facilitating those accomplishments.

Seeing to the tasks fulfillment and if necessary be the eye’s that cannot see, the feet that cannot move or the hand that needs steadying is the goal of the role.

When done with mindful compassion, it defines the ethics of our own possibilities; reaping the rewards of being present in service while consciously aware we are facilitating a person’s inclusion into their own life.

 

Recently, I witnessed the mindful compassion of a Disability Service Worker as she fulfilled her role in service at the funeral of her client’s mother.

She facilitated his participation in the funeral as directed by the family.

She carried her position as a nearly visible support, stepping out of frame when necessary all while quietly facilitating inclusion with the intentional mindfulness of her service.

 

Disability Service Workers are the boots on the ground facilitators of inclusion for the developmentally delayed and this week we want to take the opportunity to thank those who fulfill these roles and to recognize their daily contribution to an inclusive society.

We also want to encourage others to enter the profession.  And I can think of no better time to mention that you can currently enroll in the Intellectual Disability Studies Program at St. Francis Xavier University http://sites.stfx.ca/continuingeducation/inds.

While the heart is a key component to service, training is essential for turning “I think I can, I think I can” into the successful pursuit of personal goals.

By: Shonna Kurkilahti

The forth point of our Mission Statement is to foster inclusion into the greater community.  Stop by regularly and help us spread the message of inclusion.