The first opportunity I had to get to know persons with intellectual disabilities was with the L'Arche community in France in the 1990s. L’Arche is an international network of communities of people with and without intellectual disabilities. At that time, I was on summer break from a business studies degree, with plans to become an accountant, but was taken aback at the welcome, kindness, and faith in God I witnessed in this L'Arche community. This experience prompted me to move to the caring professions and train as a registered nurse specializing in intellectual disability (ID) nursing.
I have found great wisdom and comfort in the writings of Henri Nouwen (1932-1996; Catholic priest, educator, author) over the past three decades as a nursing student, practicing nurse, and nurse educator in the field of intellectual disability. Although there’s immense pressure to demonstrate an impressive career, such as climbing the ladder of success in nursing management or academia, Nouwen's books have helped me keep in view the perspective of Teresa of Calcutta: Being faithful as a Christian is more important than being successful.
The priority is faithfulness to my understanding of God's will and what God asks of me on a daily basis. The simpler and less prestigious path will bring us closer to God, as Nouwen describes. It is through our encounters with those who are marginalized that we can meet God, as Jesus taught us.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. ... Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:35-36, 40b, ESV).
Liz Hartnett, PhD, MSc, BBS, RNID, RGN, is an assistant professor in the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health, Dublin City University, Ireland.
This post is taken from Harnett’s article in the Journal of Christian Nursing.
