NAfIM Blog

I Got God Today

nospam@example.com (Kitty Kruse) — 2007-12-24T19:41:09Z

Sean was 10 years old and having been in a religious education program for 4 years, had been prepared to receive his First Holy Communion. However there were family circumstances that made scheduling the event difficult. With Sean, it had to be a big celebration, as he wanted to share this important milestone with everyone he knew. We were faced with many questions: should it take place at the Sunday liturgy he regularly attended at Little Flower Parish? Inclusion was practically unheard of then, but we wondered, should Sean join the parish first communion day in May with the second graders, or should there be a separate Mass for him? Perhaps we should have a home Mass with one of his priest cousins presiding.

Each Sunday at Communion time, Sean would tug at my arm and say; "I get God today?" I would answer, "not today, and he would ask "When?" and I would reply "Soon". So Sean would stay in the pew, with his head bowed while his brothers and I went up the aisle to receive Eucharist.

Continue reading "I Got God Today"

Inclusive Education in Parochial Schools

nospam@example.com (Kitty Kruse) — 2007-09-04T07:33:03Z

It has been many years since advocates began to call for inclusive education in our parochial school systems, however at the present time, little has been accomplished in this area. Some Dioceses are doing a better job of it than others. The superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Toledo, Mr. Jack Altenburger, was asked the question "What are our diocesan parish schools doing toward inclusion of children with IDD or special needs in our schools? This was his gracious response:

"Our diocesan "Principals' Handbook" describes our overall efforts to assist families with special needs children. Our schools have always tried to be inclusive in that they try to teach all their students in a regular classroom setting. A few have had public school programs (LD and DD) in their schools. Examples are Central Catholic High School,and it's "Project 100" program, Rosary Cathedral, and Blessed Sacrament schools. A number of our schools employ (or use volunteer) part-time tutors. Mary Immaculate school would be a good source for more detailed information on their mission to help these students. But we are only "scratching the surface". Because of lack of facilities and funding, we are not able to assist students with serious cognitive and/or physical impairments. Change is slow, but hopefully we will continue to find more ways to include all children in our schools. We would like to do much more.

Jack"

Continue reading "Inclusive Education in Parochial Schools"

Inclusion in Churches in Fargo ND by Helaine Arnold NAfIM Board Member

nospam@example.com (Kitty Kruse) — 2007-08-08T09:48:03Z

In recent months I have become more aware that inclusion in churches in the Fargo, ND area is becoming more and more the norm. Many churches of all denominations have taken steps to make their churches physically accessible. Ramps, automatic door openers, pew cut-outs for wheelchair space throughout the church, handicapped accessible parking, ramps to the sanctuary, hearing devices , large print materials, sign language interpreters, etc. have become more and more commonplace. Although physical accessibility is very necessary, it is even more important that people within the congregation have an attitude of welcome, acceptance, and inclusion in the activities and events of the congregation. The following is one of the stories of inclusion that has more to do with attitudinal acceptance than physical accessibility.

Continue reading "Inclusion in Churches in Fargo ND by Helaine Arnold NAfIM Board Member"

You Are His Living Tabernacle by Ron O'Sullivan

nospam@example.com (Kitty Kruse) — 2007-03-24T04:24:46Z

      My Words will be regular feature of this blog. My Words will be where our peer representatives, people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), share their spirituality with us in their own words. We hope that you find the profound wisdom that they express in simplicity.
     Today we introduce you to Ron O’Sullivan. Ron is a 60 year old man with IDD. Ron has been a member of NAfIM for many years, having served as peer representative on our board of directors for 2 terms. He is a very spiritually oriented man who has a high skill level in music, singing, and playing guitar.
     Ron works at a Kroger store, and lives independently in an apartment with his 2 white doves, and a parakeet. Outside his window, he has planted a little garden where he grows tomatoes and a few herbs. He attends daily Mass and is a third order Franciscan.
Recently, Ron has been concerned that although we as a society put an emphasis on taking care of our physical health, we tend to under nourish our spiritual well being. This is an article he sent to me with the request that we put it in our blog. I have left Ron’s wording, spelling and punctuation just as he sent it:

Continue reading "You Are His Living Tabernacle by Ron O'Sullivan"

What's In a Name???

nospam@example.com (Kitty Kruse) — 2007-03-21T08:23:56Z

The National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry has had a few names since we were founded in 1968 as NAMR, the National Apostolate for the Mentally Retarded. which was the proper terminology of the decade. We are of course, a National organization, actually extending even beyond the boundaries of the United States. The word “Apostolate” defines our mission within the church and the name seemed appropriate for the time.

As years passed, society became more sensitive and inclusive, and it became imperative that we needed to use the word “Person” in our title. After all, we are striving for recognition of the personhood of all people. So our name was changed to “NAMRP”, The National Apostolate for Mentally Retarded Persons.

It didn’t take too long for us to see the error of our ways, and “People first” became the norm. So our name was changed to “NAPMR”, The National Apostolate for Persons with Mental Retardation.

Today, we are “NAfIM”, the National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry as we are about intent upon promoting inclusion... Perhaps at a later time, our name will change again, according to the wisdom of the times. That’s O.K. with us; we are after all a living ministry, and therefore experience growth and change. We welcome any input and suggestions that you may have in this area.

Continue reading "What's In a Name???"