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Inclusion Is
Acceptance
A
wise teacher of mine
once said when we
meet people for the
first time it is as if
we are opening up a book and
beginning to read at chapter three. We
don't know what has happened up
until this point, and we can't begin to
predict the end because we are missing
important facts from the beginning.
However, if we keep reading, the facts
start to fall into place and a clearer
understanding of the initial chapters or
years become evident.
Everyone's past has an effect on their
present. This is an idea that I ascribe to
and believe in whole heartedly.
It is with great honor that I accepted
the position of director of Detroit
Yachad, under the umbrella of the
National Jewish Council for Disabilities,
which is dedicated to enhancing the
life opportunities of individuals with
disabilities of all ages, ensuring their
participation in the full spectrum of
Jewish life. I am thrilled to be part of
such an esteemed organization that
shares the same vision
of inclusion as me. As I
begin this new journey
in my life, I think about
my previous chapters."
I am a graduate of
Wayne State University
with a master's
degree in art therapy
and a master's in art
education. I interned at
the Children's Center of
Wayne County for three
years, working with
children and adolescents with mental
illness.
I worked for five years at JARC,
a nonprofit agency in Farmington
Hills, with children as part of its
School Inclusion Program, and eight
years at Community Living Services,
providing respite and CLS support for
a gentleman with developmental and
intellectual disabilities.
However, the greatest influence, by
far, has been the experience of having
a little brother. Hershy, who has a
significant physical and intellectual
disability, has, without ever speaking a
word, taught me more than I could have
ever learned in a classroom or any book.
"
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54
September 17 • 2015
jri
Rachel Tinman, her brother, Hershy, and his dog, Maple
When Hershy was born, I was
thrilled to finally have a younger sibling.
As he grew, his skills did not. At 18
months, Hershy was diagnosed with
Canavan disease. The doctors told us he
wouldn't live to see his second birthday.
Suddenly, all my hopes and dreams of a
tag-along brother were shattered.
As each day passed, I was learning
the reality of what my little brother
could and couldn't do.
Finding things for us to do
together was becoming
increasingly more challenging
with each day.
With endless supplies and
an overactive imagination,
I was, within time, able to
come up with many ideas
of fun things for us to do
together. One of the first
projects was finger painting.
Through trial and error, I
found that my baby brother,
who had no motor control and was
not able to hold a paintbrush, loved
the feeling of the cold wet paint on his
fingers. My mom wasn't exactly thrilled
about the mess but beyond happy to
see Hershy having so much fun.
Over the years, I found ways to
include Hershy in as many opportunities
as possible. We continued exploring art,
cooking and baking together. We've
watched sports and gone to the theater.
I soon began to realize that Hershy
just needed an alternative way to
engage in activities. My thought
process soon began to change. Rather
than seeing what Hershy could not do,
I began to just think about how I can
make this doable for him.
One of my earliest recollections of
an inclusive activity was on a cold day
in December. There was a blizzard and
it had been snowing for hours, any
child's dream. My sister and I bundled
up in layers of pants and sweatshirts
and were excited to go out and play in
the newly fallen snow. I wished Hershy
could have joined us but I knew he
would not be able to. He could not
regulate his body temperature and his
wheelchair wouldn't let him.
I loved the feeling of playing in the
snow, and I wanted him to experience
the cold wet snow, too. It finally
occurred to me, if Hershy couldn't go
out into the snow, I would bring the
snow to him. I filled a large shallow
Rubbermaid bin with snow and put
mittens on his hands. We played with
the snow until it melted and Hershy
enjoyed every minute.
Inclusion is not at a specific place, at
a particular time. Inclusion is allowing
everyone to be a part of something,
at any time. Inclusion is acceptance,
tolerance and understanding. It is the
ability to change our thinking and think
outside the box.
Let's recognize our differences
and find our similarities so we can
appreciate what each individual person
has to offer. You never know whom you
will meet that may help write a defining
chapter in your book. ❑
Rachel Tinman, 29, lives in Southfield.
She was hired as director of Detroit
Yachad in August. For information on
Yachad, visit www.njcd.org/detroit.