"We must not allow neglect, abandonment, and loneliness to consign anyone to a life not worth living." So writes the president of the Ass. Ital. Scler. Lat. Amiotr. in his introduction to this book—a complex and demanding text, yet essential reading for anyone serious about the ethical, educational, and organizational questions at the heart of our shared life.
Disability forces us to confront questions of profound moral weight: What value do we place on the lives of people, whatever their health status or social circumstances? What response can we offer to ensure that every person's life path unfolds in its fullness?
The title points us toward adulthood—that season when what we have learned in youth can guide us toward personal fulfillment, emotional connection, meaningful work, and a genuine place in society.
How can this happen for every person? How do we build communities and institutions that recognize the dignity of each person—no matter their condition—and seek out "the best way to complete that person's life journey"?
Drawing on a coherent set of values, the authors propose pedagogical and educational models to make this journey possible. They do not shy away from dialogue with practitioners—those who walk this path every day, searching for answers.
C.T., 2011