There’s No Place Like Home

In recent weeks I’ve shared stories of my school days, stories about my family, and stories from my hometown.  As I ponder the topic for this end of year message during this holiday season, my thoughts keep returning to how things are there, and how they are quite different here where I live now, in Florida.  There’s just something different about how people with developmental disabilities are regarded in the town I called home for over 20 years.  It’s hard to describe and explain.  Maybe I see it more being the sibling of one of those people.  Maybe my heart is touched in a different way simply because it’s a part of my life.  However, there is something unique about Cleveland, Tennessee.

I would like to think it has something to do with being called the “buckle” of the Bible belt, serving as the International headquarters for several church denominations and with over 200 churches for the 80,000 residents in the county.  Someone in Florida once told me that she thought if the church did its job caring for the “least of these,” then people with special needs shouldn’t need the state or federal governments at all.    While I don’t agree with the concept in principle, the heart of the message does make sense. 

I would like to think one of the differences between Tennessee and Florida is the higher education and training in special education.  Over a decade ago, a group from Florida traveled to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to learn about their program formerly known as UT-TIE (University of Tennessee Technology, Inclusion and Employment).  Back then they were on the cutting edge of studies in areas such as employment for the developmentally disabled and inclusion for special needs individuals.  To think that 30+ years ago they started implementing some of those plans and programs in the Tennessee schools, and Florida hasn’t even started.  Even in my hometown, the local liberal arts university has and excellent School of Education and special education program where they are training tomorrow’s teachers today.

But I think one of the main reasons my little hometown is so unique and different is because some 40-50 years ago some very prominent, wealthy people in town were affected by developmental disabilities when they had children born with the conditions.  Those people became a vocal minority, putting money where their mouths were and helping to create a culture of acceptance and inclusion.  From wonderful structured programs in the school systems to a great Special Olympics, from cutting edge medical support in their local services center for those with developmental disabilities to loving and caring for those who are just a bit different, there’s something unique about my hometown.

Does it make me want to move back there? Sometimes, because some of the concepts I’ve known my whole life are foreign to those living around me now.  However, it really makes me want to stay right where I am to start changing a mindset, a culture to truly advocate for special people. It takes just one pebble to ripple through an entire pond, so for now I’m going to stay right where I am but not stay silent.  There’s no place like home, but it’s time to start trying to make my new home like the place I know it can be….