Thank you. I parent a child with disabilities. I frequently hear talk of ensuring that disabled youth can become “contributing members of society”, and the words that follow that idea are often narrowly focused on their future economic contributions. And I think — do you know what a good companion my child is? Do you know how reliable and steadfast he is? Much like Rich, my kid isn’t a quick mover or thinker. But he is adored by all who know him because he notices and talks to everyone — he helps people feel seen. There are so many ways to be valuable, as it sounds like Rich was in your community.
Thank you for remembering Rich in this way. I also miss him and I am sorry I didn't know about his cancer before he died. I recited Kaddish for him whenever I was at a minyan, during shloshim. He was a kind man and a mensch. His memory is a blessing.
Thank you. I parent a child with disabilities. I frequently hear talk of ensuring that disabled youth can become “contributing members of society”, and the words that follow that idea are often narrowly focused on their future economic contributions. And I think — do you know what a good companion my child is? Do you know how reliable and steadfast he is? Much like Rich, my kid isn’t a quick mover or thinker. But he is adored by all who know him because he notices and talks to everyone — he helps people feel seen. There are so many ways to be valuable, as it sounds like Rich was in your community.
Thank you for remembering Rich in this way. I also miss him and I am sorry I didn't know about his cancer before he died. I recited Kaddish for him whenever I was at a minyan, during shloshim. He was a kind man and a mensch. His memory is a blessing.