Two men, two paths, two conclusions.

In case you missed the news today, I thought I’d point out a particular story that might have escape attention. Robert Latimer, the Saskatchewan farmer who in 1993 euthanized his daughter because she was severely disabled was denied parole. He placed her in a truck and pumped exhaust into the vehicle until she died. He has contented all along that he did this out of compassion and love for his daughter and didn’t want her to ‘suffer’ anymore. The board stated that Latimer showed a significant lack of remorse. “But what we saw was such a profound lack of remorse for his actions…” (CanWest News Service Dec 06). Latimer wanted to be paroled in the Ottawa area, where he could have continued his fight for ‘justice’.
This was an important decision. Even though Latimer was considered a low risk to the community, his sentence was upheld. Latimer’s first appeal got his sentence changed from a life sentence, reduced to 2 years of house arrest. Not satisfied, he appealed again to the Supreme Court which upheld the conviction, plus, returned the sentence to life. Latimer is spending his life and likely millions of taxpayers dollars defending the removal of life that he determined his daughter did not warrant.

I’ve just finished reading Jean Vanier’s book, Our Life Together, a memoir in letters. What a contrast. Here is a man that has spent his life and all his resources defending and ‘adopting’ the journeys of 1,000’s and 1,000’s of those with disabilities around the world. As I read Vanier’s book, I was struck – overwhelmed, by the self-sacrifice, convict and determine of the man. Ironically, he would vehemently deny saying that he had given nothing and needed to give so much more. I’d highly recommend this book to you. I was deeply challenged by the unremarkability of a remarkable man. I simply mean, it is not a story of super human, unattainable, ‘I could never do that’ stuff that we often read about and compare ourselves to. This is a man, who loves God, values life and just tries to lives out his convicts. By self admission, He has chosen not to pursue the pyramid life of materialism, selfishness and earthly successes, but to embrace body life of selflessness care and compassion. I could do that if I really wanted to – and so could you.

I was just struck as I read the article in today’s paper and felt I need to say something. Two men, taking to two different paths bringing two different ends to those with disabilities. One results in self-justification, death and waste, the other in justice, life and abundance. Chose your path well.

Anyway, I was just thinking.

Neil