what a person with Down Syndrome taught me about sin of grasping

Parents of children with disabilities get used to the parade of specialists who become a routine feature of family life.  Some years ago, when SJ was probably about 2, we had a visit from an occupational therapist.  It was a fascinating event.  Apparently the natural position of the hand is clenched, closed.  Opening the hand is actually a learned behavior.  We make the mistake of thinking that it "comes naturally", but that is because for most of us, we do not realize how we are taught to do it.

With SJ, the process was intentional and long, and yes, difficult.  This learning to "ungrasp", this letting go of things to which we cling so fiercely, is not merely a physical difficulty. 

Sometimes people can be parables.

The rest of the talk: "Thanksgiving After Childbirth:  Choosing Sarah in an Age of Options", will be given on Saturday, May 9 at 2pm (St Tim's church, 8420- 145 St, Edmonton).  It's part of the program of the Canadian National Prayer Book Society AGM.  The talk is open to the public, and in the spirit of common prayer, it's about how one person taught me (and still does teach) many things about the Risen Christ.  I'll post it here sometime afterward.

Comments

[Tim]

Nice one, Joe.

[joseph]

Thanks Tim.