Those Who Work With Us
Since those two black eyes entered my life, I can no longer pretend nothing has changed. I feel called to something far greater than my own small advancement; yes, I know there is something selfish in these desires, but now I also sense that the moment has come to walk side by side—my professional aspirations and my calling as a daughter of Love. Forgive me for seeking to enrich myself, to deepen my learning as I pursue my degree, so that in the future I can dedicate myself to teaching children, young people, those with disabilities.
I finally decided to write to you because, reading your recent issues, I had the impression that you were paying particular attention to those of us called "workers" and to those of us (the "healthy" or "normal" ones) who are the real disabled, the truly incapable, in the face of this experience of life.
You cannot know how grateful we are for making us feel "included" and not left on the margins. Please keep helping us!
I do not believe that to truly participate one must feel the problem (but do we?) only because it touches a relative or friend; and this especially if we believe in the universal vision of all of us as one great family of God.
Help me give deeper meaning to my life, and thank you for helping us to love.
P.S. I would be grateful if you could expand your book recommendations section and offer helpful guidance to those of us who want to be inside and no longer outside.
Maria Federica
Thank you for your encouraging words. It matters to know that we serve someone. We will continue to help as you ask, so that we all feel more and more truly included.
If you wish, you can stop by our office to borrow books that will help your professional formation and your journey as a friend won by a pair of black eyes—eyes we remember as vividly as you do, and that help us move forward.
Warmest greetings to all our friends in Pescasseroli.
Working for Ombre e Luci
I am a young woman who works with Mariangela at the Ombre e Luci office and also on the newsletter, and I have learned so many beautiful things.
I go to the office twice a week, and my greatest joy is helping to put together the newsletter. On Tuesdays I do the big cleaning and prepare tea and coffee, and on Fridays I help in the office with mailing, putting the newsletter in envelopes, and stamping and printing. On the envelopes with Nicole. I am really happy doing these small things and working with Mariangela Bertolini. I also answer the phone and do knitting with needles—anyway I really like being with everyone else who works with me in the Ombre e Luci office, and then we work on the newsletter too, which is very interesting.
Mirella
On Behalf of AITO
On behalf of A.I.T.O. (the Italian Association of Occupational Therapy), I want to compliment you on the content of the fine journal Ombre e Luci, which I read with genuine pleasure. I share articles of particular interest with my colleagues in our association, and I do so because your way of approaching the problems of disabled people often reflects the same empathy and problem-solving spirit that defines our profession as occupational therapists.
Overall, this publication is made with the heart. It helps us reflect more deeply on the suffering we encounter in our work, so that we can meet it with the understanding it deserves. I hope our exchange with A.I.T.O. News continues regularly, and I offer my warm thanks.
Bice Comparini OTR
From Valtellina
On behalf of everyone, I thank you sincerely for sending your fine journal, and I hope someone has already arranged a subscription—which I will do myself very soon.
I am sending you a copy of the report that our secretary, Dario Giacomelli, presented when our fellowship was formally established, along with the purposes for which we came together. We are approaching our fourth year, and while at the beginning we felt awkward and hesitant in approaching institutions and officials, now we feel somewhat strengthened and confident because of the support of our 130 members, of whom 94 have disabled children.
The small seed we planted has grown, and we are beginning to gather some fruit; we do not perform miracles or demand too much, but we are certain that if we remain united we can accomplish something concrete. We must overcome certain prejudices that still exist and persist in some families, but with time we hope to bring them all together, if we are to prepare a better future for our children and the peace of mind to close our eyes when our time comes. We harbor no illusions; the road will not be without obstacles. But we refuse to betray what we promised our young people at the start. Looking forward to reading you again, I send warmest greetings and best wishes to all.
Carlo Helbing
(President, Valtellina Disabled Families Coordination)
What a Tournament!
We received photographs from the awards ceremony of the futsal tournament among eight Faith and Light communities in Rome. Here is the triumphant display of the trophies awarded. The photos appear in the section "Life in Faith and Light".