This is the testimony of a method and a human attitude dedicated to helping disabled children recover their physical and psychological health. It speaks to parents, to those working in psychomotor therapy, to students in educator training programs, and to everyone caring for children with psychological disorders.
Carlo D'Angelo, trained at the Institut Superieur de Reeducation Psychomotrice in Paris, draws on the clinical and pedagogical vision of Viktor E. Frankl. He shares and bears witness to Frankl's "unconditional faith in an unconditional meaning to life." His work begins there. It rests on a holistic approach to the person that embraces the physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions.
What are the emotional and behavioral qualities a therapist needs, beyond technical knowledge? D'Angelo identifies and explores several of these with us. Among them, his reflections on the quality of listening stand out—a quality that is also one of observation, attention, and openness to the other, free from judgment and prejudice. The personal formation of therapists, parents, and educators must be rooted in a deep faith in the child's capacity to grow and improve, and in his or her potential.
From this foundation, therapeutic action becomes a creative and original act that joins technique to creativity, knowledge of a history to intuition about what happens and emerges "here and now." Through monthly group meetings and biweekly individual sessions with parents, D'Angelo works closely alongside them. He has also established a training school for parents. This represents a rethinking of an itinerary aimed at developing autonomy, clarifying the nature of learning and roles, fostering education in diversity, hope, acceptance, hospitality, faith, life, and solidarity. We thank Carlo D'Angelo for sharing with us his experience, his enthusiasm, and that deep conviction that the fundamental goodness present in every human being can be helped to emerge and radiate its light to those around it.
N.L., 1996