Finding Advent at the Inn

Yesterday’s destination at the Quay is to attend a conference at the Inn.

It’s a conference that most people would shy away from attending since the main focus is people with (dis)abilities. People with vision impairment and hard of hearing, with walking sticks, children with special needs, mental injury and on wheels.

Surprisingly enough, I feel comfortable being with them since I for one live with mental disability and chronic back injury.

We did not ask for these disabilities and injuries but it happened. God said no to our dreams and aspirations. As a result we use our limitations, rise above it, found our gifts and become activists for people not welcomed at the Inn.

The Inn reminds me of when Joseph and Mary were refused hospitality for a place to give birth to baby Jesus.

Simon Paradis and Joe Stanton at International Day of Person with Disabilities

Yesterday at the Inn, we welcomed everyone able bodies or not.

Simon Paradis is a prime example of an injury he does not deserved and yet, he became a beacon of hope. He played the most beautiful song, God said No (click to listen.)

Also yesterday, I received a Kindness Advent Calendar. So I thought, let’s be kind to people with disabilities all year round.

PS: When we have conference at Greater Vancouver, we always acknowledge that we are at the a First Nation land, a sacred ground.

We wish to acknowledge that we are on the shared traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples and acknowledge the Musqueam,  Squamish, Sto:lo, and Tsleil-Wauthuth Nations… and for this we are thankful.