"Now F. is content: he has a schedule, a reason to leave the house, he feels useful, and he meets people. I can tell you that F. is very good at being useful: the mild spasticity and mild mental handicap he has don't prevent it, and his extremely gentle nature makes him a delightful colleague."
Things Have Changed
I'm Marcello, Consuelo's father. I'm writing to share some news (you can read my earlier letters here and here).
Last Sunday we went to Marzocca. The Faith and Light group invited us—Stefania is their leader. We spent an unforgettable afternoon.
We felt relieved, at peace, as if we'd been reborn. We saw suffering lived with serenity. Everyone sang together, bound by a friendship that was offered to us so freely. We felt like friends immediately, as though we'd known each other for years.
One day in August, a letter arrived: "Hi, I'm Stefania, I lead the Faith and Light group in Marzocca. We read your letter. We want to offer you our friendship—why don't we meet?" In September, some of the group came to visit us here at home. You can't imagine our joy, our happiness. What struck us most about these young people was their simplicity, their desire to give joy and peace to those who suffer.
I want to add something else: since I wrote that first letter, things have changed. Our relationships with others are more open now. The way we see things is simpler. Perhaps we've grown a bit too. Both positive and negative experiences help us understand others better.
Consuelo is doing well and growing strong.
In a way, there's more light in us now. We feel like we've stepped out of the shadow we lived in before.
When the people from Marzocca asked us—and the priest too—"But how did you discover Shadows and Light?" my brother explained that they were in the Dolomites and a family from Milan had given them the magazine to read, and then everything else followed. We all laughed because Shadows and Light had traveled so far to reach us in Macerata, when there was a group right there in Marzocca. The priest said, "The paths of Light are infinite."
Today the September issue of Shadows and Light arrived.
I read Signora Antonia Masin's letter carefully. What she says is true. At our last meeting at CE.PI.M. in Genoa, we spoke with several parents of Down syndrome children, and each one shared their experiences. I noticed that parents of older Down syndrome children have faced more difficulties than we have with younger children. But it's also true that every child is different. Signora Antonia did well to tell her story because it can be a great help to new families facing the same problems we do.
- M.D.V.
To Keep It Going
Your letter reached me very late because I was away for several weeks. I'm sorry I didn't answer sooner, but I'm pleased to do so now and send you some addresses. There aren't many yet, but I'd like to get you more. I also spoke about it at the parish two evenings ago, asking the priest for help in spreading awareness of the magazine.
He found the idea interesting; I left him some copies that he promised to share with the young people at the July camp. I think we should get some more subscribers. To be honest, it never occurred to me to help spread the magazine, though perhaps it should have, and I thank you for pushing me to do it.
- E.B.
We encourage all our readers to become distributors of Shadows and Light in environments where there is interest and goodwill. We repeat this, even at the risk of tiring you: our magazine needs many supporters to continue publishing.
Volunteering . . . Why Not?
I'm writing to tell you about a phone call with Signora C.
We run into each other on the phone every so often. We share news, and especially we talk about F., her son, whom I've known for years.
I know she's been desolate for months because she can't find anything suitable for her grown son. At twenty-one, he wanders around the house, sad because he has neither work nor friends.
"You won't believe it," she said to me, "but now he's doing volunteer work!"
"Really? What does he do?"
"He helps at the soup kitchen, and he's very happy about it."
So now F. is content: he has a schedule, a reason to leave the house, he feels useful, and he meets people. I can tell you that F. is very good at being useful. The mild spasticity and mild mental handicap he has don't prevent it, and his extremely gentle nature makes him a delightful colleague.
I thought this was a wonderful idea, and I realized that perhaps other parents had never thought of this solution. It can truly give purpose to a child with mild handicap—as a temporary bridge, and why not, perhaps permanently.
N.S.
We'll Help You
...His article was read and reread and discussed in my family... we are very troubled because... Our efforts over these painful and exhausting years have been many, made with great commitment, good intentions, and love, but they've come to nothing. Our mistakes, countless... we are two desperate parents who want to do everything possible for our son.
(signed letter)
This is only an excerpt from one of the letters that we cannot publish for reasons of privacy. We share it so that anyone in a situation of serious hardship and loneliness will not hesitate to reach out. We will do our best, within our means, to help, to provide information, or to connect you with people who can assist. We take this opportunity to remind everyone to think of and pray for those who silently bear such trials, at the edge of despair.
A Ray of Hope
Thank you for letting me be part of such a beautiful initiative. Love and generosity for those who face exclusion and serious handicap. I believe that being treated with genuine love, as you do through your magazine, and being helped to raise a young child with mental handicap—that itself is a wealth that few can offer. For a mother to find useful suggestions, tailored to her situation, is a great comfort and a ray of hope for her child's future. That is no small thing.
May the Lord accompany you with His Spirit: in His name, miracles can happen.
- A.V.