The post-Confirmation teacher in Wilmington was quadriplegic, a polio victim since a week before Salk’s vaccine was accessible. To say she was amazing is an understatement, and those teens who were in her class and in her heart, probably have the most unbiased view of the disabled imaginable. She – her name was Carlyn – was also funny. But I’ll tell you about that at the end, in the joke-of-the-day department.
Well, we recently saw a Netflix documentary called “Crip Camp.” It’s about a camp for the disabled that opened in the Catskills in 1951 and because of financial difficulties closed a little over twenty-five years later. But in those years so many severely handicapped young people of varying ages didn’t feel different, were able to relate to others in similar circumstances, and learned that every one of them felt alone and ignored the rest of the year. To see how these people enjoyed camp as I did in the 13 years I attended camp, and as so many of you did as well, was inspirational. There was virtually nothing they couldn’t do, and no one allowed them to have an excuse not to try.
But the heart of the movie had to do with a woman named Judy Heumann who began the movement that ultimately resulted in the Americans with Disability Act. Through home movies taken in camp and then on the trail towards legislation, we saw the commitment that thousands of the disabled had to change the way things were in this country. We saw the folly of local, state and federal officials, elected and otherwise, particularly Joseph Califano, Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Carter. Despite the phenomenally strong pressure the lobby groups – schools, insurance companies, businesses, etc. – placed on Califano and others, there was no stopping Heumann and her minions.
*There were other very important considerations in this movie, and your children and grandchildren should see what now they might take for granted (See below). *
Ours is a tradition whose laws/mitzvot contain “You shall not put a stumbling block before the blind,” and other commandments legislating equality on so many levels, disability being one of them. The movie – which, by the way features many, many Jews – is clear that the struggle was one of civil rights. It is one you should not miss.
(Speaking of disabilities and of Carlyn, the following is 100% true and factual ((“Never let the facts interfere with the truth,” remember!)) When I came to town and was introduced to the faculty - as their Director of Education - she said to me in front of the group, “You know, Rabbi, we all look forward to Tu b’Sh’vat which is always the last day of religious school.” To my untrained ear – untrained in Carlyn’s humor – there was nothing unusual about that inasmuch as most schools ended then. But she continued, “Yes, we always have a picnic that day and play softball.” OK, no big deal. “And I play third base.” I looked at her in the wheelchair, fearing how she’d continue. “We all cooperate. They take me out of the chair and put me down. I play third base and often the kids slide into me.” That was Carlyn and indeed she inspired many, many kids and adults)
*One thing though…it’s not a “G”-rated documentary. It’s not that bad, but perhaps parents should preview it before viewing it as a family. That way you’ll also know the points you might have your offspring and spouse pay attention to so you can discuss them later. *