March 6, 2020
Thoughts from the editorial office: the coronavirus is giving us a glimpse of what daily life feels like when the relationships that normally shape our world—at work, at school, among friends, in community spaces—become complicated and diminished. These are the complications that people with disabilities face, in varying degrees, every single day. Because disability itself is shaped by how well we can connect with the world around us. We should hold on to this moment and remember that in normal times, we have so much power to change our societies for the better—to make life less disabling, less starved of opportunity, for so many people. But what hardships does the virus bring to people with physical or mental disabilities, and to their families? Two perspectives reach us on this question. One comes from Flora Atlante (pictured above), who lives in one of the Italian regions where the alert level is very high. The other comes from Veronica De Felice, who reaches us from Rome with a clear and powerful message: the pain of not being able to greet each other as we always do—especially when it's someone's birthday.
Here in the office, reflection turned into debate as we faced a reality that is objectively and subjectively very complex. There is understandable worry, dangerous panic, and unusual choices all around us. For now, we turn to those who truly understand the science.
The choice of where to stand – Laura Coccia—born 1986, politician, historian, and Italian athlete with spastic tetraparesis—has written a rich reflection on adolescence, identity, and disability that was published in L'Osservatore Romano.
Exploring the journey of accepting oneself and one's body—a path that becomes steep for everyone in adolescence—Coccia considers many angles: sport, the gaze of others, difficult questions. She focuses especially on the either-or choice that faces young people with disabilities: whether to "stay tucked away in a corner, watching other people's lives, or live alongside everyone else. The choice is not simple, because that corner can seem like the easiest, most comfortable solution—a place from which to watch other people's lives without being seen, without taking risks, without running the risk of being asked curious questions by people who want to know more, to understand you, without prejudice."
Shock, sorrow, and solidarity with victims – On February 22, 2020, L'Arche International released a deeply painful statement in response to the results of a years-long investigation. The inquiry found that Jean Vanier bore grave responsibility for serious harm to six women without disabilities who were under his spiritual direction. The statement expresses profound solidarity with the victims and condemns these actions without reservation as "utterly at odds with the values Vanier proclaimed" and with "the foundational principles of our communities." Though shaken, grieving, and facing many difficult questions, both L'Arche and Faith and Light remain committed to building more humane and inclusive societies.
Benedetta's Blog
This Year Too, I Managed Not to Go to the Snow
I don't want to go on the snow. I don't like it. I've been skiing lots of times. It's really beautiful there. I go to Andalo, near my aunt's house and my cousins' place in Trentino. Keep reading...
Faith and Light News
Through March 15, all community activities are suspended by decision of the Association's Board of Directors, in keeping with the measures issued by the Council of Ministers to contain the coronavirus. We are deeply sad not to see one another. But we can still feel close to each other from a distance by sharing stories, drawings, thoughts, and videos. Use the hashtag #CloseFromAfar and post it on our social channels!
Liliana Ghiringhelli shared on the Faith and Light website the story of a journey to Galilee with Angela Grassi and Father Mauro Santoro. After two days of formation, the first Nazareth community is about to be born there.
On March 21 and 22 in Gazzada, near Varese, there will be an important training session for leaders and community teams from the whole province: A River of Peace.
Lent has officially begun: this is the blessing for a good spiritual journey that Angela Grassi, international vice-coordinator, sent to us.