There's a scene in one of my favorite movies, For Love Of The Game, (note that there is not in fact another "The" in the title) where our co-protagonist Jane is caught off-guard by Billy's forwardness on what amounts to a first date. So, she makes a semi-joking comment that people should wear signs about themselves. It would save everyone time, she says.
Well, mine would have more than one word, unlike in the movie. Of course, I got to thinking what I'd put on mine. Forgive me if this betrays some frustration, but mine would say, "I am neither same-sex attracted nor asexual, and I am most certainly not your brother."
On the other hand, it's true that I'm not exactly the same as you, ever so desirous I may be to feel as "normal" as possible. Living with a physical disability from the beginning makes you different. I couldn't really understand it until I listened to Stanley Hauerwas. I am vulnerable--even emotionally--in ways that you are not. I must trust others in ways you do not. I find it even amusing that I am a living rebuke to self-centeredness, because at any moment, I may have a need that requires the assistance of whomever is there. I almost crashed down a hillside last night, and two random guys felt the need to rush over to help out. They could have been murderers, for all we know. There is a child-like innocence about me that I both cherish and despise.
Every person wants to feel strong and in control. That could be pride, many times, but it's also part of our dignity as human beings in God's image. We have something to give, all of us. If you deny me that, you're denying God who made me. Yes, there is something dreadfully wrong. I know it as well as you. You think I failed to notice that I am not 9-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis?
I once joked in a somewhat off-color way that I would start a conversation with a group of women by flatly stating, "Everything works." I grant you as a Christian that this would be crude, but I'm a filthy liar if I tell you I haven't wondered if that wasn't exactly what someone wanted to know.
But I no longer live with the conceit that we are the same. And yet, there are still those profound human things that I still want and need. And things will go better if I know you understand that.
Well, mine would have more than one word, unlike in the movie. Of course, I got to thinking what I'd put on mine. Forgive me if this betrays some frustration, but mine would say, "I am neither same-sex attracted nor asexual, and I am most certainly not your brother."
On the other hand, it's true that I'm not exactly the same as you, ever so desirous I may be to feel as "normal" as possible. Living with a physical disability from the beginning makes you different. I couldn't really understand it until I listened to Stanley Hauerwas. I am vulnerable--even emotionally--in ways that you are not. I must trust others in ways you do not. I find it even amusing that I am a living rebuke to self-centeredness, because at any moment, I may have a need that requires the assistance of whomever is there. I almost crashed down a hillside last night, and two random guys felt the need to rush over to help out. They could have been murderers, for all we know. There is a child-like innocence about me that I both cherish and despise.
Every person wants to feel strong and in control. That could be pride, many times, but it's also part of our dignity as human beings in God's image. We have something to give, all of us. If you deny me that, you're denying God who made me. Yes, there is something dreadfully wrong. I know it as well as you. You think I failed to notice that I am not 9-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis?
I once joked in a somewhat off-color way that I would start a conversation with a group of women by flatly stating, "Everything works." I grant you as a Christian that this would be crude, but I'm a filthy liar if I tell you I haven't wondered if that wasn't exactly what someone wanted to know.
But I no longer live with the conceit that we are the same. And yet, there are still those profound human things that I still want and need. And things will go better if I know you understand that.
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