Norm Kunc
Every day people challenge me:
Why do I believe what I believe?
The news is focused on controversy about DEI: Diversity, Equality, Inclusion.
What’s wrong with the Medical Model?
What’s wrong with the Charity Model?
What’s the big deal about “normalization” and “inclusion”?
Why is “special” not special?
For those of us who care about people with disabilities and people on the fringe of society, the conversations are stressful–the whole paradigm shift “thingy”. Most people don’t want to take the time to understand or learn a whole new way of looking at the world. They think their view of the world is just fine, thank you very much.
As parents, we have been learning about differences for 30-40 years, our child’s entire lifetime. Our child demands we still learn every day.
For the next couple of days, I’m going share some of the people who shaped my beliefs.
I hope they can deliver the message of “normalization” far better than I ever could.
Norm Kunc changes lives.
I would spend the whole year teaching university students and teachers about the need for inclusion, normalization, self-advocacy, and people first… and they would nod their heads (or scratch their heads at the crazy lady), pass their tests, and go on with the way they always did things.
Norm Kunc came to campus, spoke to these same students, and in fifteen minutes–he rocked their world.
That quick–his message is that powerful.
Here is Norm’s Credo of Support. It is not the same as hearing him in person, but the video message shows the power of words and the talents of self-advocates. When Norm introduces the video he says the words just poured out of his heart.
Here’s hoping it touches your heart too.
Keep Climbing: Onward and Upward
All my best,
Mary