"Daddy are you proud of me?" My daughter asks me that question once in a while. As a person who has struggled with low self-esteem, feeling that I have nothing to offer, this statement from my daughter gave me a profound sense of the value of my existence. My daughter needs me! She needs me not just to provide for her needs or even her wants, she needs me to feel valued. 

     Western culture celebrates equality and openness, accessibility, and everything that bring honor to every individual. In that sense, it is in line with the biblical mandate to honor everyone, including the disabled. The Old testament talks about God's abhorrence for people putting stumbling bloks in front of the blind and cursing the deaf behind their backs. However, western culture usually tolerates practices that actually bring dishonor to people- sexual promiscuity and exploitation of the work force for the enrichment of a few. 

     How do we fully bring honor to others? I believe it is by setting up conditions where people feel profoundly needed. Not just needed to do a job for example, or to be a sexual object, but needed as a whole person. There is value in the existence of the person beyond what they can do and beyond the pleasure they can provide. There is value in the existence of the person with cerebral palsy who on the surface looks to be someone who just consumes our services. To find that value, we must be open to his thoughts and abilities, we must be open to seeing how they can enrich our lives. We must be humble enough to recognize how we need others, not just what they can do or give, but their presence- their character and attitude.

     Some people may not want to be needed. They may honestly prefer handouts to contributing to society. They need to be constantly reminded that the world needs them to give of themselves- their work, their attitude, their character. I would like to end with a note to my daughter "Baby girl, you have profoundly changed my life and I am forever grateful:)"