“Our once great western Christian civilization is dying. If this matters to followers of Jesus Christ, then we must set aside our denominational differences and work together to strengthen the things that remain and reclaim what has been lost. Evangelicals and Catholics must stand together to re-establish that former Christian culture and moral consensus. We have the numbers and the organization but the question is this: Do we have the will to win this present spiritual battle for Jesus Christ against secularism? Will we prayerfully and cooperatively work toward a new Christian spiritual revival ― or will we choose to hunker down in our churches and denominationalisms and watch everything sink into the spiritual and moral abyss of a New Dark Age?” - Mark Davis Pickup

Thursday, November 1, 2012

HEARTS TO INCLUDE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES


http://www.airdriecityview.com/article/20121101/ACV0302/311019970/0/ACV

Me with granddaughter Grace
Above is a link to another article about my granddaughter, Grace, winning the title of Little Miss Calgary 2013. It is in this week's local newspaper City View for the city of Airdrie (a bedroom community of the Canadian city, Calgary, Alberta).* The article appears under the title "Airdrie girl awarded title of Little Miss Calgary 2013."

As you will read, Grace has a heart for people with disabilities. It comes natural. We have often talked about the natural human dignity of every human life. She has grown up riding on the back of my electric wheelchair or scooter -- as have her siblings. My grandchildren are not poorer because of my disability, they are richer because of it. You will detect from the article at the link above that even at the tender age of eight years, Grace has the heart of an advocate. She's not alone in this attribute.


Grandson Graham and "W"
Grace's little brother Graham (6) is friends with a blind classmate. I will call him W.** They are "buds".  W is one of Graham's circle of friends and is included as a normal part of his days. Graham leads W around the classroom activity centers and the playground and W makes Graham laugh. W is a funny guy!

Mark
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* Calgary (population 1,100,000) is the corporate hub of Canada's massive oil and gas industry which are second only to Saudi Arabia.  Calgary hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics Games -- officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games. The city is home of the world famous Calgary Stampede.
** I do not have clearance from W's parents to use his name.

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