October 9, 2007 12:52 PM
Tribute to a son with cerebral palsy
Our family (Tripp, Ben, Zach, Sophia, Maddy and I) have been working our way through Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game series. While I'm really not a big fan of fantasy - other than the Rings Trilogy and C. S. Lewis's Space Trilogy - I do love intelligent philosophy-driven science fiction.
What is impressive about Card's work is his extensive knowledge of international history and his ability to weave possible outcomes from the interplay of today's nation-states. I was immediately intrigued by his starting premise that having more than two children might sometime be criminalized globally - leaving people of faith,- or even couples who just loved raising children - in a position of following their faith or bowing to the state.
But the series becomes so much more.
Anyway, I finished Shadow of the Hegemon last night and have to say that I enjoyed Card's 9-page Afterword almost as much as I enjoyed the whole book. Like a peek backstage or behind the wizard's curtain, Card detailed the underpinnings of his writing - how what he writes today was foreshadowed by his interests as a little boy, as well as esoteric works on countries like Thailand and India which helped him form his futuristic view of colliding cultures.
But the last paragraph of the Afterword was what really struck me - and I wanted to share it here:
"In particular, though, I write this book for my second son, Charlie Ben, who wordlessly has given great gifts to all who know him. Within the small community of his family, of school friends. . , and of church friends. . ., Charlie Ben has given and received much friendship and love without uttering a word, as he patiently endures his pain and limitations, gladly receives the the kindness of others, and generously shares his love and joy with all who care to receive it. Twisted by cerebral palsy, his body movements may look strange and disturbing to strangers, but to those willing to look more closely, a young man of beauty, humor, kindness, and joy can be found. May we all learn to see past such outward signs, and show our true selves through all barriers, however opaque they seem. And Charlie, who will never hold this book in his own hands or read it with his own eyes, will nevertheless hear it read to him by loving friends and family members. So to you, Charlie, I say: I am proud of all you do with your life, and glad to be your father; though you deserved a better one, you have been generous enough to love the one you have. [my emphasis]
Isn't that beautiful? To me, this is an example of how parents - and families - of differently-abled kids are forced to stretch beyond our human limitations to see things more from God's perspective. I'm sure God isn't limited by our narrow valuations of people based on appearance and intelligence - he sees into our souls, our souls with all their weaknesses and limitations. Isn't it true that those who look down on those with disabilities suffer limitations - disabilities - of their own?
I was so grateful to come across this passage and had to share it here, feeling so privileged to catch a glimpse into this author/father's life.
Posted in Books, Disabilities | Permalink
Comments
That's beautiful, Barbara.
I always like mentioning that in my mother's college yearbook, Orson Scott Card is pictured as a main role in the musical "Hello, Dolly". Too fun.
Posted by: Emily | October 9, 2007 11:13 PM
My brothers and dad and I love Orson Scott Card. I found Ender's Game to be WAY before its time in terms of the technology Card imagined! He really imagined the internet before there was an internet.
Card's Biblical fiction is good too. A few theological quibbles since he's Mormon, but his books about the wives of the patriarchs are excellent. I was surprised to find good Biblical/historical fiction from a science fiction author!
Posted by: Becky Miller | October 11, 2007 1:21 PM
That's right, Becky! It's been a while since I read Ender's Game, because I've been reading other books in between - but I was absolutely amazed at how he foresaw the Internet and laptop computers long before they were anywhere on the horizon. It was just so cool and why I love some science fiction. I remember in the 60s or 70s seeing the David Bowie movie, The Man Who Fell to Earth and they had pictured in the future small discs which held music - imagine that!
And yes, though Card is a Mormon, he has a lot of biblical references which provide some common ground. A really unique blend - and he is a very good writer as well!
Posted by: barbara | October 11, 2007 3:51 PM
