Board Member Nagase Osamu brought Sue Swenson into the conversation with GLIDE FUND – we are reminded that there are many people who willingly advocate and dedicate their lives to create positive change for people with disabilities.
We wanted to share this message from Sue following the tragedy that took place July 26, 2016. Published here with her permission:
Sue Swenson. Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, US Department of Education.［Memorial］
“Dear Friends,
Our hearts are heavy with pain and love as we think of your loss at Tsukui Yamayuri En, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture on 26 July 2016.
For Americans with disabilities and their families, July 26th is important. It is the anniversary of our Americans with Disabilities Act.
Please know that, like you, we continue to hope and work for dignity and brotherhood for all members of the human family, in every nation and every community. We must be especially devoted to those with the most severe disabilities and intellectual disabilities, for they are the most vulnerable.
My beloved son Charlie was profoundly disabled. I include a poem that was written for him by his caregiver, Nate Hajdu. I hope that it will bring you some comfort as it did for me when Nate read the poem at Charlie’s funeral in January of 2013.
We are in this life together. I humbly stand with you.
My Friend Charlie
He is my friend: I am his friend
I help him out: He helps me to learn
I help him to learn: He helps me to grow
I help him to grow: He teaches me to accept
His struggle: Is my struggle
His vulnerability: Leads to my respect
My respect: Leads him to trust
His trust: Leads to my devotion
His availability: Feeds my desire to be needed
I keep his secrets: He keeps mine
We have an arrangement
His lack of self-consciousness: Leads to my tolerance
His constant need for stimulation: Leads to my patience
His discomfort: Sharpens my sensitivity
His unhappiness: Is my challenge
His presence: Eases my isolation
His loyalty: Leads to my loyalty
Which leads to mutual appreciation
His brokenness: Makes me accept my own brokenness
Which leads to healing
His humanity: Leads to personal connection
His steadfastness: Centers me
His smile: Is my reward
His joy: Lifts my spirits
His happiness: Gives me a sense of purpose
His struggles: Expose my anxieties
Which tests me
Then strengthens me
And in turn bolsters my faith
In guiding: I am guided
In helping: I am helped
In teaching: I am taught
In his laughter: There is joy
In that joy: There is energy
In that energy: There is spirit
In that spirit: There is grace”