A few years ago there was a movie with Roberto Benigni
called: La Vita E’ Bella, ‘Life Is Beautiful’. It is about the horrific world
of being a Jew in World War II Europe under Nazi rule. In that darkness was
light, a beautiful light that shone so brightly it took the ugliness and hid
it, in spite of it being all around.
In this world of today there is a light so bright, there are
no shadows, so strong that you clearly see what life should be for all of us.
In a place called the Westhampton Beach ‘Day Program’ that helps people with
disabilities both physical and mental. Some of the people come from out of the
shadows of Willowbrook, some have been born under the shadows. None of these
people had a choice: all were dealt a bad hand, which is played as best one
can.
The program had a fashion show and I was privileged to see
by invitation. I jumped at the chance to see God’s hand move. His hand is in
the form of Jean Kelly and her amazing crew of staff people. These are the
people that God chose to be his surrogate, to do his work, to let the world
know he exists, whether you believe or not. There were no real fashions: maybe
the theme was there in the guise of the 1970’s “Psychedelic” format and
decorations. But it wasn’t really the show that struck me: but the staff and
those they love so much, beginning with Jean Kelly.
I’ve know Jean since my daughter first joined the Day
program and have met her at least twice a year at my daughter Ellen’s
semi-annual and annual reviews for too many years to count. She is a woman with
a great uplifting spirit, and huge beautiful heart, and common sense and so
much love for those she works with.
An amazing transfiguration occurs in the domain they call
Westhampton Beach. People who you would ordinarily meet, sitting in wheel
chairs, maybe sitting by themselves suddenly become alive, as the incredible
staff under Jean begins to do their thing. Suddenly a whole building comes
alive with excitement, and positive motion, a place becomes a happy place. The
crowded room was packed with parents, siblings and friends who eagerly awaited
the show, and let me tell you, no one was disappointed, everyone left feeling
better. The participants in the show worked hard to put on their spectacular
presentation, they paraded down the runway in the fashion show, wiggling hips,
strutting, laughing, and mugging for the audience.
The theme was the 70’s and lo and behold who showed up! The
caste of Welcome Back Kotter, Movin’ On Up and Sonny and Cher, complete with
afros and joy.
It is a wonderful thing when we can stop for a moment and
see something so beautiful as a group of dedicated people like the staff of
Jean Kelly, beautiful dedicated people in their own light, shine so brilliantly
and hide the shadows.
As I sat a lady came over to me and stuck her hand out for
me to shake. She couldn’t speak clearly for me to understand everything she had
to say, but she said enough
“Hi-do you know Ellie?”
“No, I don’t, I’m sorry.”
“That’s OK, do you ride the bus?”
“No, but if I did, maybe I’d be lucky enough to know you.”
Maybe we all need to ‘ride the bus’ and visit this world to
put our crazy sad and horrific world in a better light and loose the shadows,
just like Jean Kelly and her wonderful staff does at Westhampton Beach.
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