Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. ~William James

So, I'm pretty sure when the bus stopped and a guy bumped into me, he said, "my bad!". English!! I was surprised and wanted to ask him where he was from, but I was too sleepy - it was 7:50 am. I know, that was random. But that's ok, that's what I am - random =)



More important, when I was writing my industry paper for my internship, I came upon this website
http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=18. It gives some statistics about our disabled population in the world. I didn't realize that about 10% of the world's population is disabled -making them the world's largest minority. Many of us have disabilities. Not having perfect vision is a disability. Not being able to speak the language of a country you're inhabiting is a disability. However, when it comes to encountering people with more severe disabilities - those that prevent one from living a normal lifestyle - we tend to feel a little more uncomfortable. Why? Because we don't encounter people with severe disabilities daily. You know, I was scared at first - but I've been so fortunate to have wonderful friends and family that have encouraged me so much!

I think my dear friend, Lisa Khan, has been an angel on helping me with encouragement:
"I want to tell you something about the kids that scare you sometimes. I was thinking about it, and you should always remember that they never mean to scare you. They have the best intents in their heart and to express a single thought may be hard for them. The way they express their thoughts or personality may be different from yours, but you must work on being empathetic. It's so easy for us to let people know how we feel or what they think, but it's so hard for disabled children to do so. Imagine how difficult it must be to not properly display that you're happy or something scares you. Empathy is different from sympathy. You must be actively trying to understand and conquer your fears in order to be empathetic and truly understand. You're a brave girl, and I know your heart is big. Keep working on it! Part of their comfort is knowing that you're trying as hard as they are instead of standing and watching. =)"

She's absolutely right. For the past week, I have been trying to put myself in their shoes. Trying to understand how they feel. Trying to imagine how it may frustrate them that I don't always understand what they want or how they feel. I really have to pay attention to their actions and sounds.

About me...I don't mind messy, but dirty has really never appealed to me. Every morning the kids are given baths. Someone brushes their teeth and combs their hair. (Like I mentioned earlier, they are really taken care of). Almost gourmet food is prepared every day. None of that frozen stuff. The food is also very healthy. The other day, I watched Maria prepare hand-squeezed orange juice! However, while being fed/trying to feed themselves and throughout the day, the kids dirty themselves. They put their hands in their mouths; they can't blow their nose, but we try to clean them up as much as possible. Nevertheless, no matter how dirty the kids get, none of this bothers anyone who works with them. The kids are showered with hugs and kisses. I, on the other hand, have kept a little bit of distance.

Anyway, yesterday, I helped out Marcela with group 2. We played handmade instruments =) Well, there is this one boy, Nicholas, who would not stop crying! He was all wet with tears and saliva. But even so, Marcela took him in her arms. She was just like a mother - soft but strict. I thought - I would feel so uncomfortable. I'd probably be worried about getting dirty... Then I thought of Lisa's words and "WWJD" -and as he cried, I comforted him, putting aside my fears of getting wet/having mucus on my clothes, and just held him. And I felt an instant peace. This is what God wanted me to do, and what He wanted to teach me.

Yesterday, I helped Genaro, a little boy of 12 years, walk to the kitchen. I felt him really leaning on me, and I was touched. That's what we do in this world - we lean on each other. Friends help friends, and we are there for each other in times of happiness and sadness.