When Al and I met to prepare for worship services he indicated that he would like to address neurodiversity on one of the Sundays. I must admit that I was not very familiar with this term and I very much appreciate the knowledge and wisdom he has shared with me. Neurodiversity is the concept that there is natural, healthy variation in how the human brains function and process information. During the 1990's the neurodiversity movement emerged. Neurological differences - such as autism, ADHD or dyslexia – are regarded as normal variations in human biodiversity to be accepted and accommodated. Until this time many people with autism for example did not suffer for this diagnosis but from the social stigma which caused social exclusion or inequity. From my reading, it seems to me that each of us has our own place on a continuum of brain function and activity and no two people are alike. Much like other organs such as the heart that vary according to the individual i.e. my heart rate and blood pressure may be very different from yours. I am grateful to Al for giving me a better understanding of, and appreciation for, the magnificent and varying ways our brain’s function differently for each of us.
A recurring theme for this month has been that we value, respect and love each individual as a unique person, a creation of God.
Catherine McVie
