(written in 2003)
Have you been to Nami Island? Surrounded by the lake-like river, it has beautiful walking tracks where we can either take a walk, cycle, or camp together. Children, youth, and adults alike all enjoy this huge recreation ground.
Those who come here will be refreshed in many ways. The fresh air, tall trees, ostriches, exhibition center, and cozy atmosphere soothe the strains of our hectic lives. It's a place where we can share our love and friendship with one another. Like this refreshing place, I would like to share with you a very refreshing and rewarding story of a boy.
"Inspiring, groundbreaking, and visionary. It is the science of love, compassion, and insight which will transform the world." It is one of the comments in the work "Son-Rise: The Miracle Continues" written by Barry Neil Kaufman.
This lovely book was recently translated into Korean and published by Yeollin. It is dedicated to all the special children who are often cast aside but finally find wonders, individuality, and magnificence in themselves.
Being a classic best-seller, this touching story was once broadcast on NBC in America. It sold over 200 million copies, and about 280 universities are making use of this book as their text. It describes the family trauma after the son Raun was diagnosed as hopelessly autistic and mentally handicapped.
When he was a year old, he tried to withdraw himself from human contact. He appeared deaf and blind, staring silently for hours and rocking endlessly. The experts said there was no hope at all.
Instead of making use of permanent institutionalization, his parents, the Kaufmans designed a program of their own to provide intensive therapy for their dear son. They developed this new way to deal with their son for two and a half years. As a result, they created their own method of therapy based on unconditional love and willing acceptance.
All their attitudes changed not only towards their son but all of their lives. From the age of four, his autism began to disappear due to their unconditional love and open-minded acceptance. His IQ was 30, but his grades at high school were all A's. It is truly amazing to see Raun overcome his obstacles and push his limits. 'The Options Institute and Fellowship' is now helping other families with similar problems to autism.
Parents whose children suffer from such problems endlessly look for a way to heal their children. Often parents struggle to cope with the stress of dealing with their children, sometimes taking their frustrations out through violence.
However, some parents are so attentive and patient that they become the same as their children. Raun's parents are one good example. They even took part in all the same activities as their son to always be with him. Understanding his strange behavior, they became united with their child. With the hope for healing, they showed respect and openness to find the best answer to meet the challenge.
Finally, he expanded his relationship with others. It's a story of human victory over a seemingly impossible situation. They proved it is only a matter of changing our way of thinking. No matter how painful the situation is, we have to wait and be patient with hopeful and lasting prayer.
There is no need to give up our hope, for all of us have potential. We have to look for inner power to change. Unconditional love changes our lives. Our tragedies can be opportunities for growth and happiness. We can't deny the strength of love and hope. Facing crisis or tragedy, what we need is openness, acceptance, and loving understanding.
Once we have embraced the challenge as a gift with respect and happiness, we can look at reality from a different point of view. We don't know what's around the corner. We are not sure what kind of unexpected challenges and difficulties tomorrow will bring to our lives. But we can go beyond as much as we are openhearted and remain in unconditional love.
The author's other books such as "Happiness Is a Choice", "To Love Is to Be Happy With", "Giant Steps", and "A Miracle to Believe In" all uncover mysterious potentials hidden among us. We don't have to be disappointed and give up. Why don't we dare to look at the sun above the clouds?
The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ Oct. 8, 2003
No comments:
Post a Comment