Probably the most pitiful, heart-wrenching sight I have ever witnessed was a little girl about three who suffered from some type of aging syndrome. Her baby sister was a normal toddler going here and there. The parents were brave enough to carry both children to the zoo for the day and our family and they met often as we followed the different trails to see the animals.
Joseph Merrick suffered from “Proteus Syndrome” and was known as “The Elephant Man”.
‘Tis true, my form is something odd
but blaming me, is blaming God,
Could I create myself anew
I would not fail in pleasing you.
The above was a rhyme used in Merrick’s sideshow pamphlet, and which he was said to have often quoted, followed by the lines:
If I could reach from pole to pole
or grasp the ocean with a span,
I would be measured by the soul
The mind’s the standard of the Man.
(These lines are taken from “False Greatness” by Isaac Watts, first published in Horae Lyricae (1706) Bk. II)
If you read the link below and follow the sequence of ideas there, you will no doubt think of several scripture applications.
http://www.victorianweb.org/books/suicide/06b.html
Even though Elephant Man used the upbeat quote in his traveling show, he apparently was not an upbeat personality. With such an albatross to carry his whole life, who could blame him? Later his fortunes seemed to take a better turn. After his rescue from the abusers in the travelling show, he apparently became a happier person, and for a time tried to overcome his attitude of “I can’t bear it here.” However, he eventually committed suicide by letting his heavy head hang down on his chest to stop his own breath. For those who knew him later in his life, his new, better attitude was what made it such a shock that he took his own life.
One of the strongest scriptures for those who are depressed about their limitations or their circumstances would be what Paul said to the Philippians.
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phil 4:11-13).
There may be many passages to help normal people to deal with their own reactions to handicapped individuals, but of course “normal” people do not always do what they know they should. The handicapped may reflect on these verses and understand how they should be treated and pray for those who are either ignorant of the commands or unwilling to follow God’s directive.
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him (Acts 10:34-35).
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? 8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors (James 2:1-9).
The next time you see a handicapped person, don’t stare! Go up to them and speak to them as if they were a real person, because they are. They seek acceptance and friendships just like you and I do. Shame on all of us if we treat them differently.
WOMEN'S STUDIES 
Thank you, Beth. I enjoyed thinking about these difficult things so as to gain wisdom. It was good to be here with you and those who visited with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like seeing your little icon pop up. You are such an encouragement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Beth! Could you check your spam to see if an email asking for feedback on a draft post came to you?
LikeLike
So true. Each of us, disabled or not, has moments when we’re more vulnerable, less capable, less in control. (The older we get, the more of those moments we find ourselves experiencing! Prov 23:22) We might be wise to ponder those feelings deeply and remember them often. Generally, it’s not necessarily malice to discount a less-able person, whether they have a mental or physical disability; often it’s just thoughtless ignorance. Prov 11:12 If we’ve never keenly felt or thought about our own inadequacy (such as in early teen years when we all feel so completely capable and strong and intelligent) it’s simply hard to imagine the feelings of those who are weak. They might easily seem humorous or despicable to us. It’s hard to view an elderly, drooling wheelchair-bound man as someone who was once strong as ourselves, and who, inside, may be the same intelligent, FEELING man, only in a crippled shell. We may unconsciously pair physical disabilities with lower IQ; but if i broke my leg, would that automatically make me less intelligent? Do I need others to talk loudly to me, simply because I’m confined to bed from illness? What does God think of my thoughtlessness? Prov 14:21 He considers it a sin! Why? 1 Cor 4:7 Did I give my strength to myself? Did the handicapped man CHOOSE his disability? It would be good to discuss these things with our children. Perhaps the more we ponder these things, the wiser and more compassionate we’ll become. Thank you for your encouragement to think about these nobler things! 1Pet 2:17
LikeLike
Your input is so encouraging! Thanks for understanding where I was going with that post. There are so many disabled souls who need our compassion and compassion is one of the parts of God’s love. We would do well to try to gain that quality while there is time.
Bless you for taking time to read.
LikeLike
It is hard to know how not to react around someone who is not like other people. I don’t stare, but I want them to know I acknowledge them as a person and care about them. I usually smile. If I get a smile back, then I might continue the conversation. I also can only guess what the parents are going through.
I try to do unto others as I would have them do to me.
Martha
LikeLike
I managed a program that provided vocational training to adults with developmental disabilities. A huge challenge was to help the public understand these were people, no label required. They had varying levels of disability, but those conditions did not define them. They were people. Plain and simple. Just like the rest of us.
LikeLike
When I saw the little girl in her father’s arms, I could see the “scars” she already had from meeting the public. I wanted to take her and hold her close to me, but feared that too might be something the untrained would do. She would not look at anyone, only down to the bouncing figure of her baby sister.
LikeLike