I have been honoured to meet many people in my life. Many who have made significant contribution to the betterment of the lives of people with disabilities. Many who courageously lead.
Yesterday I met one such person, Leilani Muir.
I am going to spare you the inward journey I had when shaking her hand. My feelings were intensely private. I do want to say, however, that Ms Muir was a remarkable presence. Living the life she lead, she could be forgiven for walking with anger, for speaking with bitterness. But the woman I met moved with grace and lived with gratitude.
The human spirit, the human heart, has capacity to survive even when the human body has been violated.
Leilani Muir smiled at me as we spoke. It was my eyes that were full of tears in sympathy and apology for what had happened in her life.
I'd like to introduce you all to the woman I met. That's impossible, of course, so please visit the links contained here within.
11 comments:
What an honour to make her acquaintance, thank you. And thank you for the reminder of what we are working towards and the reason we do what we do!
Susan Ludwig Goharriz
I'm just sitting here shaking my head.
Leilani, whether or not you see this, you are a survivor and the resilience of your spirit shines through. Thank you for holding your tormentors accountable.
Dear Dave:
I have never met Leilani Muir - what an honour that would be - but I have told her story to my students and we watch the NFB film. She is one of my heroes. I second what Fridawrites said, "Thank you for holding your tormentors accountable."
BTW - have you seen The Freedom Tour? Speaking of holding tormentors accountable . . .
Colleen
Hi Dave. You need to go to whyrustalkingme.com, read her Tuesday posting, my response, and her response. THEN TAKE HER ON! You are so much better at it than I am.
Love the Freedom Tour!
You can get info about it here:
http://www.peoplefirstofcanada.ca/news_en.php#7
or
http://www.freeourpeople.ca/
I never hear about forced sterilisation without remembering that awful movie "After the Promise". Did you ever see it? I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but I'm fairly sure you would both love it and loathe it. It was a 1987 made-for-TV movie starring Mark Harmon...don't know whether it is available for rent or purchase. See if you can find it...but only if you're in the mood for a good blood-boil. (What am I saying! You're always in the mood for a good blood-boil!)
Dear Dave:
There is another movie with some content about forced sterilization. I believe it is called "Keys of our Own" in which a couple is living in their own apartment with their daughter. The Dad was forcibly sterilized in an institution. What they go through in order to have a child is heart breaking.
Colleen
Dave, what an absolute honour that must have been. Leilani's story and her activism is such an pivotal part of disability history. It must have been a very powerful exchange! Thanks for sharing it...
-Rhea
I think that the best encounter that I have had was when I meat an old Mayan person, he illuminated me in such a way that I hope I can see him again.
The post is very touching and all I can say is that Leilani is already a winner. We come across people in our lives who open our eyes to the harsh realities of life.
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