In addition to National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month. How appropriate that they occur in the same month!

In the last few years, we have seen many adults with Down syndrome in the workplace. Billy is one of them; he has worked at Food City in Kingsport for over 10 years. He was originally hired by Ed Moore, who has been a manager at the grocery chain for over fifty years. His philosophy is one that might be adopted by all employers.

Click on the image to see the Grown Man Now Interview Series; “Current Employment” is the name of this interview with Mr. Moore.

Interview with Mr. Ed Moore, Food City Manager

We also see adults with other disabilities in a number of work situations. Employers have found that many people formerly considered unemployable can be valuable members of the work force if they are trained properly and given the opportunity. Our president emphasizes their value to our nation in declaring October  National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Utilizing the talents of all Americans is essential for our Nation to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the skills that people with disabilities bring to our workforce, and we rededicate ourselves to improving employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors for those living with disabilities…

— Barack Obama, President of the United States of America

Are you aware of the many adults with disabilities at work in your community?

There is a new film released entitled “My Idiot Brother.” Following the current, intense battle against the use of the word “retarded,” I wonder if the use of this pejorative term will attract the same attention as the R word. Is idiot different from retarded?

When I first began my studies in special education, I learned the terms historically used to identify persons who had intellectual disabilities. The terms used were imbecile, idiot, and moron. After years of usage, these words became offensive and were changed to severely retarded, moderately retarded, and mildly retarded. Initially they were useful in identifying levels of disability and in planning educational programs. They also became used as hurtful words, slung at people in anger or rejection, such as “You idiot!”

See the connection? Whatever the term, as long as we remain insensitive to people who are vulnerable, those who have disabilities, and those who are unable to fight back, we will use terms in inappropriate and unkind ways.

Rather than fighting the word, let us fight the deeper problem – attitude. I think the answer is another R word: respect. In our family, we have words that we do not use. In addition to the words referred to above, we add “stupid” and “dumb.”

Billy asks me why we don’t use those words. I reply, “Because those words make people feel bad.” If we can teach that idea, we won’t have to stage battles to obliterate each objectionable word that comes along. And they will come along if we continue to believe that the word is the problem.

I, for one, will not see “My Idiot Brother.”

On April 9  Billy, Mary and I spent a delightful afternoon with a group called The Pure in Heart,  at Longs Chapel United Methodist Church in Lake Junaluska N.C. This long standing church/community group is led by Jackie Spencer, a former student and dear friend of mine.

Billy Schulz, Jane Schulz, Fred Spencer, Jackie Spencer reunite for the Pure in Heart

Jackie describes Pure in Heart as  “a group of adults who share Acts 2:42 dinner together, followed by a variety of activities with emphasis on fun, fellowship, and service. We work around and from our challenges, knowing that God’s strength is evident in how He enables us and calls us to help one another.”

What a reception we received from the Pure in Heart! Thank you!

The Pure in Heart includes persons with disabilities, their parents, teachers, and friends. They welcomed us with open arms (literally), listened to our stories, and shared their concerns and victories. We had revised our presentation to reflect changes in Billy’s life and my awareness of what I have learned from him. We called it Lessons From Billy.

Chris, who spontaneously led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance, is a photography enthusiast.

A surprise feature was the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Chris, one of the younger members of the group. Following the presentation, we enjoyed delicious refreshments and energetic conversation.

The philosophy of The Pure in Heart was evident:  “Every person on earth has special needs. Some needs are more evident than others. Within our church, we all find love, acceptance, and a little  extra help when needed. Every person also has special gifts and our friends’ gifts are well worth discovering.”

A few days later we returned to North Carolina to speak with students and educators at Western Carolina University. Dr. David Westling has invited us to join his students for several years and we always enjoy being there. This time Dr. Valerie Mazzotti welcomed us into her class (SPED 413) for our presentation. Afterwards we were treated with a lovely meal and a conversation full of ideas for the future of education! It is such a privilege  for Billy and me to return to a place we worked and loved,  to see our old friends and to meet new ones.

WCU's Dr. David Westling, Dr. Valerie Mazzotti, Dr. Lisa Bloom, and Dr. Jane Schulz

Both of these events, with unique audiences, illustrated the positive contributions that many people are making to ensure that persons with disabilities have opportunities to develop into happy and productive adults. Thank you, Jackie and David, for your dedication and passion for what you do and for whom you serve, and for  your gracious hospitality.

Hi, everybody, happy Wednesday! Today I go to work, but first I like to tell you bout my trip. I did go to Charlotte with my sister, my brother -law, and my mom. Tom finished the labyrinth and had a big, big celebration.

My sister did order lots of cards, got beautiful pictures from my brother Tom on it. I did count out 12 envelopes, make a little stack. Count 12 more envelopes, put it on the stack, too. Now my sister put cards in boxes for me, all different ones. I hold out my hand. I count 1-2-3, then I go to the next box. I count 1-2-3, then I go to the next box. I count 1-2-3, then I go to the next box. I count 1-2-3, and then there’s no more boxes. I put the cards in the box. My sister opens up the little box, give that to my mom, and my mom takes the stack and puts it in the little box, and close it up. Now it looks all nice, and we take all the boxes to that labyrinth so people can buy them.

Billy and Jane count envelopes for the notecards decorated with Tom's labyrinth studies.

I like to help, and I’m good. I worked for a long, long time, then I try to watch All My Children, but I don’t know how to use Tom and Sheila’s TV, but that’s okay. I just had lunch, get me a little nap. After that, we have a nice dinner. My sister-law is a good, good cook, and she makes a little white thing with chocolate in it, and put a candle in it for me, cuz Tom and Sheila not make it to Kingsport on my birthday. I like that, got me another birthday again. And they did give me a present, too.

Tom brings Billy's birthday desserts to the table. Happy Birthday... again!

Saturday is so, so busy. Tom and my sister and my brother-law did go to the labyrinth early, got a lot of work to do, take all the little boxes. Sheila take me and my mom (but Olive is Sheila’s dog and she stays home) to the labyrinth. Whew, that’s a LOT of people!

We did get dressed up, and I got to sit next to my brother-law Jos. He let me wear his sunglasses cuz it’s so bright it hurts my eyes. My brother did talk and my mom did read little poem bout the labyrinth. My sister write that poem. My sister cord it all on that video. Miss Almetto was there and she loves me! She likes me and my family in my mom’s book Grown Man Now.  I talk to her and my mom long time, have me a Coke and a snack.

I’m proud of my brother. We had a great day. Then we drive back to Kingsport. And then me and my Mom are so tired. I like my vacation in Charlotte. I like that labyrinth.

You like to read bout it, it’s in the paper. Here’s the little link.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/03/11/2132089/her-gift-to-us-a-path-to-peace.html

Tom Schulz and Almetto Alexander, interviewed at the Dedication of the Labyrinth

My friend, Jonathan, came to visit. We had snow that day!

Jonathan brought Christmas presents for me and my mom. And I had a present for Jonathan and Danielle, too.

I had a good Christmas! My nephews Daniel and Warren were here. My brother Tom and sister in law Sheila were here for a week and we all had a good time. My mom got huge stockings for everybody. Mary put a picture on every one. They were pictures of when we were little. It was so funny!

Mom made my favorite breakfast. Ham biscuits and cheese grits and other stuff. It was so good. Then we all opened our stockings and laughed a lot. I love my family and I love Christmas.

The day after Christmas I had a great surprise. My friend Jonathan came to see me. You member him. We worked together at Food City. Now he lives in Alabama. He stayed all afternoon. We went down to my partment and talked and laughed a lot. Jonathan is my best friend. I miss him a lot. I was so glad to see him. I think he will come back for Easter. I hope so.

My nephew Paul and his wife Edna came for New Year’s. We had a good time with them too. When they left my mom and I went to church. When we came out we had a flat tire. Now the holiday is over.

I hope you had a good Christmas too. And Happy New Year!

Love, Billy

P.S. Now that Christmas is gone, it’s okay for me to talk about my birthday.