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Joy in Our Differences MAGDALENE KOH shares how her experiences at L’Arche Geneserat in Canberra, Australia, show that rejoicing in our differences can open our hearts to even greater joy.
Salt and pepper shakers from a private collection.
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any, if not all health, social services, charitable and voluntary organisations start out with a good idea. The good idea behind them is often to rescue unhappy and defenceless people from what seems like a chaotic and cruel society. Their own microscopic society would, by eliminating the discriminations of the larger one outside, “reform” the delinquent, “cure” the insane, and “industrialise” the poor. They would also serve as a “model” to emulate and so act as a force for social reform. Yet, almost every such venture runs the risk of ending up plodding through its daily grind and thereby experiencing a custodial weariness that limits and dehumanises, bringing anything but life to those trapped in it, be they carers or the cared-for. This scenario is no different, whether in Australia or Singapore, or even in the remotest village of Calcutta or Vanuatu. Similarly, L’Arche is subject to the same struggles to keep resolute to its founding principles. Yet today, L’Arche is 32 years old! Since 1974, more than 100 L’Arche communities have grown in over 30 countries, including L’Arche Genesaret in Canberra, which was the first to be founded before giving rise to communities in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Hobart. There are L’Arche communities, big and small, in rich and poor countries alike – Canada, Japan, Africa, Haiti, Latin America, Philippines, and India to name just a few. One cannot help but ask: “What makes an organisational model like L’Arche work?” It continues to evolve and grow amidst a challenging history of successes and failures, in different cultures, languages and religions, in poverty and
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plenty. Every L’Arche community has encountered men and women who are mentally and emotionally handicapped, chaotic and broken, and has witnessed their gradual transformation into people of peace, hopefulness and value. From its beginnings, two notions about L’Arche were clear. One was the aspect of living with people with mental handicaps, as opposed to the doing for attitude found in a group home environment. Living with implies entering into relationships and the humdrum rhythm of every day life – preparing meals, working and relaxing, and celebrating life’s events together.
“ L’Arche rejoices in the presence of those who are considered of little social value and for whom the climb up the ladder of hierarchical success is impossible.” L’Arche communities typically provide family-style homes and lifestyles, where Core Members – people with intellectual disabilities – share their lives with Assistants who choose to live or support them in an atmosphere of friendship, belonging and growth. Together, both learn to discover and accept each other’s gifts and differences. Walking towards the same goal in a spirit of cooperation and respect permits the intellectually handicapped person to begin to live and heal from his former rejection by society. The effect of such “therapy” results not only in the handicapped person assuming more respon-
sibility and decision making in his life, but also attaining self-confidence in his capacity to please, to serve and to be useful. The second notion of L’Arche is the embrace of a counter-cultural spirit and attitude. L’Arche has a specific “spirituality” that is rooted in the belief and vision that the mentally disabled open a new world of the heart – of true wisdom and of freedom and liberation. Not governed by social conventions, they radiate and greet visitors with genuine joy. They make no distinction between those considered important in the eyes of the world and those who are not. They are not interested in anyone’s profession or rank, but are perceptive of their hearts and authenticity. L’Arche rejoices in the presence of those who are considered of little social value and for whom the climb up the ladder of hierarchical success is impossible. I remember my encounter with Kerry, a L’Arche resident with mild cerebral palsy. Her grubby appearance and clumsy gestures were a sharp contrast to her smiling eyes and cheerful welcome. “I’ve got this pain here and it won’t come out”, Kerry said to me, pointing to her chest. “Are you feeling sad, Kerry?” I asked. “Yay, me old mate from Goulburn just died,” she answered. “Do you know this pain, Maggie?” “Sure do, Kerry,” I replied. “Then we’re the same,” Kerry nodded, with a look of sympathy at me. Yes, indeed, we are all the same. ✩ Formerly with NVPC, Magdalene Koh migrated to Canberra, Australia in April 2005. She now works in all three community houses in L’Arche Genesaret in Canberra.