People with labels‹mentally retarded, deaf, physically handicapped,
blind‹suffer far more from isolation than from their disabilities.
This book suggests how we can break down some of the barriers to community,
barriers created by fear or misunderstanding of those who are different.
From the experiences of committed people who have broken down social walls
come the success stories of people with disabilities: a woman who started
a national community life movement; a man who captivated a nightclub
audience with his spontaneous singing; a young woman whose affinity
for children gives her a special role in a daycare center; a tiny nonverbal
woman who found community in a local diner where friends discovered that
she loves washing dishes... The key to community is making connections,
through family, friends, small businesses, churches, associations, libraries,
or clubs with a strong measure of vision, commitment, and willingness to
take risks. These "bridgebuilders" look for ways labeled people
can fit into society as they are, rather than "fixing"
them to fit. There are no perfect solutions, and certainly problems, but
author O'Connell says the rewards are manifold: "Community...is no
different for people with disabilities than for any of the rest of us. It
is the free space where people think for themselves, dream their dreams,
and come together to create and celebrate their common humanity."