In this difficult time where the nation is being reminded of the violence and discrimination that the Black community faces on a daily basis, I want to take the time to celebrate diversity.
As someone who needs daily cares, I have caregivers four to six times a day. As such, this need has to be met by multiple caregivers. This has given me a nice opportunity to meet many people from many backgrounds: Black, White, Latin-American, … . People from around the US, people from around the world. People of multiple faiths, people of multiple sexual or gender identities. In fact, one of the best caregivers I’ve worked with, was from Tibet, and had a prosthetic arm. I never mustered the courage to see if he was willing to share his stories (which is ironic that I encourage others to embrace our disability and share our stories so that others may see that we are truly the same, just “differently-abled”).
I will admit, that my knowledge of the world has been limited. However, it has been my pleasure to learn humility and grow from the diversity around me. To open my eyes, ears and mind to what others have to share. It has been my pleasure working with the wide and diverse set of staff I have been fortunate to have, and to learn what I can from them.
In this time of frustration at the tragedies that have occurred and have been occurring for decades, I wish to share my respect and my support, and to thank all of those facing these challenges for being a part of our community and our family. I hope that together as a community and as a family we can come together and overcome these trials and tribulations.
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