Progo35
09-08-2007, 11:32 PM
Today I was at the beach and saw this 10 or 11 year old girl having a tantrum. She was with a guy and I couldn't tell what was going on, so I went over to make sure that she was okay. To make a long story short, the girl was autistic and this was a teacher from her day school. So, I and a couple of other people helped him walk her off the beach. We weren't sure what was wrong, but we thought that maybe she was too hot or thirsty, so I gave her some water. I also prayed for her and sang to her, which I think helped because she calmed down soon after that. In addition to being a kind thing to do, it was a wonderful opportunity to share my Christian faith in that way. I was a little concerned because you never can tell these days-the child could be screaming because they're upset about something or because the adult with them is abducting them. I asked nicely if I could verify his idenity and he said sure, and gave me the phone number for her parents and himself, and even said that he wouldn't mind if I called the police because it was good for me to be concerned. I decided that that wasn't necessary as other people came to help and his story seemed more and more credible as we went along.
So, today made me think about a couple of things
-When I get angry about disability issues on here or about people like Peter Singer infiltrating academia, it is for such people that I am angry. This child is a beautiful little girl that was made in God's image and who just couldn't communicate what she wanted, which is why she had a tantrum. But, we helped her and were able to sooth her. According to Peter Singer, her parents should be able to take her to the doctor and have her euthanized because she falls outside the pall of morality as a "non person"-somoene who does not meet his specificied criterion of mental and cognitive awareness and interaction with others. Singer says that this is a "compassionate" thing to do. But, it is not compassion. It is oppressing a human being that God made, unique, and who we, as indiviudals and as a society, have a responsibility to protect and nurture.
-Being kind to others is rewarding because it makes one know oneself more. And, it is a wonderful way for Christians and all caring people to show their love, faith, and compassion.
On a more slapstick note, there was a really hilarious moment when I was helping the two of them. Obviously, it was not funny that this poor child was in such distress-but she reached out and grabbed my bathing suit around the neckline, which wasn't low per se, but not high, either-and was yanking it forward, so I was trying to carefully unhinge her fingers, and her teacher was saying, "Oh, I'm so sorry...." So after a few seconds of awkwardness, he said, "I've done this before, so, please excuse me," and reached over to get the girl's fingers off my collar. It worked, and the guy was very respectful, but definitly a Jim Carrey-esque situation.
So, today made me think about a couple of things
-When I get angry about disability issues on here or about people like Peter Singer infiltrating academia, it is for such people that I am angry. This child is a beautiful little girl that was made in God's image and who just couldn't communicate what she wanted, which is why she had a tantrum. But, we helped her and were able to sooth her. According to Peter Singer, her parents should be able to take her to the doctor and have her euthanized because she falls outside the pall of morality as a "non person"-somoene who does not meet his specificied criterion of mental and cognitive awareness and interaction with others. Singer says that this is a "compassionate" thing to do. But, it is not compassion. It is oppressing a human being that God made, unique, and who we, as indiviudals and as a society, have a responsibility to protect and nurture.
-Being kind to others is rewarding because it makes one know oneself more. And, it is a wonderful way for Christians and all caring people to show their love, faith, and compassion.
On a more slapstick note, there was a really hilarious moment when I was helping the two of them. Obviously, it was not funny that this poor child was in such distress-but she reached out and grabbed my bathing suit around the neckline, which wasn't low per se, but not high, either-and was yanking it forward, so I was trying to carefully unhinge her fingers, and her teacher was saying, "Oh, I'm so sorry...." So after a few seconds of awkwardness, he said, "I've done this before, so, please excuse me," and reached over to get the girl's fingers off my collar. It worked, and the guy was very respectful, but definitly a Jim Carrey-esque situation.