Friday, January 18, 2013

STANDING UP

NOTE: On some calendars this Sunday, January 20, is referred to as "Sanctity of Human Life Sunday," and on other calendars it is called "Human Relations Day." This coming Monday, January 21, in addition to being Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and the US Presidential Inauguration, it  is also the birthday of our son, Dustin. As I was thinking about all of that, I recalled something I had shared here before that I felt worth repeating at this time.

 
STANDING UP

As a few of you know, our son, Dustin, in whose memory this SOUND BITES Ministry™ was founded in 1999, had many disabilities, both physical and cognitive. He could not walk on his own, he could not feed himself, and he could not talk. But he made a difference in the lives of many, many people before his death in 1998. And he continues to do so today in a variety of ways, including SOUND BITES.

A number of years ago one of our nephews was part of the audience at his high school in a classroom debate on abortion. A panelist stated, "If you knew your child was never going to be able to walk or speak, and would only live 15 or 16 years, you'd want to have an abortion." Someone else on the panel replied with a generic rebuttal and then my nephew politely raised his hand.

In relating the story to me, he wrote, "I told him that he had perfectly described my cousin. I told him my cousin, Dustin, had never walked, never spoken, and died when he was 16. I told him I was very insulted that he had argued that my cousin, and the world, would have been better off if my aunt had killed him before he was born… People just assume that no one really knows a person like Dustin, they treat them like figments of our imagination, and they argue that they are worthless. But as soon as someone comes along who knew someone like, or is like Dustin, they seem to have nothing to say."

Thanks to my nephew for standing up for his cousin, who couldn't stand on his own. As my sister-in-law wrote afterward, "And the ripples from Dustin's life go on and on..." 

-- Rev. David T. Wilkinson


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10 comments:

  1. Thank you for your wonderful story about Dustin and your nephew! It shares such a powerful witness of gratitude for God's precious gift of life and the importance of our courageous proclamation of love for one another. I continue to appreciate your faithful messages and for the ongoing difference Dustin's life continues to provide.

    R. Retherford

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  2. Our deepest gratitude for sharing that one with us again!

    ~E. Nohr.

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  3. Bless you and your family for the blessing that was Dustin that continues rather like the Grace of God to inspire all of you with your strong witness for the Kingdom of God.

    Mike Murphy, retired chaplain

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  4. Blessings and peace, Dave! Thank you for this thoughtful piece. It's one of my "keepers!"

    Nancy L.

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  5. Dave, many of us have special dates stored in our memory banks and one of yours is Jan. 21, Dustin's birth date. By creating Sound Bites in memory of Dustin you have, also, given us a great gift. I thank you.

    Marge B., Green Bay

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  6. I totally agree with you. As you may remember, i lived and worked in a L'Arche community for ten years. It's beyond me how anyone can think that a person with a disability, no matter what it is, has a life not valued.
    Thanks for all you do.

    Kathy Berken


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  7. Wow! That is powerful. Thank you for this ministry. It has meant so much to me for many years. Dustin's life certainly has touched many people while he was alive and after.

    D. Gibbons

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  8. Thinking of and praying for you and Donna, Dave. Your Sound Bites ministry is impacting SO many lives in a profound way. Dustin is certainly smiling upon you and that courageous nephew of yours. :-)


    God bless you and your family.


    Jane S.

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  9. Thank you for this wonderful message. I pray that everyone would share the wisdom your young nephew has: wouldn't this be a better world.

    I love Sound Bites!

    Lynn Zemlicka

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  10. I remember Dustin as a very happy boy. He smiled and shared his joy with those of us who were attentive while you were living in Cleveland Hts. I applaud your nephew and think often about those people who haven't received joy like Dustin's. Peace and Blessings to you all.

    > C. Freer, Ohio

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