| My younger brother was disabled. He was born with | | | | and destitute children." He readily admits that his task is |
| learning disabilities so severe that he appeared to be | | | | uphill, but his vocabulary does not include the words ' |
| blind at first. Adorable to look at and blessed with a | | | | hopeless' or 'despair'. |
| great sense of humor, he could be great company. He | | | | My experience with my brother did not lead me to a |
| was intelligent and ambitious and his life was often a | | | | career working with the disabled. I was frequently |
| frustrating, maddening experience for the whole family. | | | | upset by the challenge of simple tasks. My brother |
| A lifelong science fiction fan, he dreamed of a future | | | | often did not or could not clean up after himself. I was |
| world where he could succeed. Despite the roadblocks | | | | often the one designated to do the cleaning. |
| and occasional temper tantrums, he did finish high | | | | Sometimes I was understanding, but occasionally I was |
| school, complete college and marry. | | | | resentful, tired and short-tempered. I was deeply |
| I know how difficult working with disabled children can | | | | disturbed when my brother died in his forties having |
| be, so I was curious about the story of a social worker | | | | spent his last last years on disability. I grieved and |
| in India who made these children his life's work. George | | | | despaired. |
| Joseph is modest in describing himself as a 'social | | | | George Joseph doesn't have my negativity towards |
| worker'. He has spent most of his adult life working | | | | the disabled children in his care. And I'm sure that he |
| with children, youth and women in distress. Many of us | | | | has fewer resources than my family had, given the |
| dream of success, travel and financial rewards. | | | | poverty in his region. I am convinced that he is one of |
| George says, "I grew up dreaming of being of service | | | | those people with God-given skills for working with the |
| to the poorest and the needy. I am happy that I got an | | | | disabled. They not only have patience and optimism, |
| opportunity to convert my dream into a reality at a | | | | they have a vision for these young people. That vision |
| very young age." He has been living his dream since | | | | includes a normal life for them, a job, a family and a |
| 1993 has been living his dream with his wife by his side. | | | | sense of pride in their accomplishments. Hearing |
| George runs a school for disabled children and | | | | George Joseph's story made me revisit my own |
| organizes women's groups in 52 tribal hamlets outside | | | | experience, to remember my brother's jokes, his |
| of Bangalore. He plans to expand his vocational training | | | | intellect and his passion for science fiction. |
| and rehabilitation programs. George talks about his | | | | Grief must come to an end and action on behalf of |
| plans with passion fueled by years of experience. He | | | | other disabled children should come next. My family's |
| is a visionary able to imagine massive undertakings, | | | | motto will come in handy, "Don't Stew. Do!" My thanks |
| "We have a long-cherished dream of starting an | | | | to George Joseph for reminding me to cherish what is |
| integrated school for children with disabilities, orphans | | | | given, however imperfect it may be. |