People First
February 10, 2016
James 2:8-9 “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”
A few months ago, we shared the story about the sweet birth announcement from friends regarding the birth of their son, Walt, who was born with Down’s Syndrome. A friend recently asked Liz, “What can our family do to be the best with Walt?” Liz first cried, thankful that there would be people in their lives who would make every effort to learn how to love Walt well. Later, Liz asked her friend to use People First Language with Walt. Liz had learned about People First Language while working at a children’s summer camp. People First Language teaches a person how to talk about and talk to Walt and other children and adults with special needs. It puts the person first then their diagnosis. For example, Walt is a child with Down syndrome. NOT Walt is a Down syndrome child. People First puts Walt as a child first then his diagnosis. This way of talking allows for the person to be valued as a person, not as his diagnosis. God wants us to put all people first. And God wants Christians to ask Him, “What can I do to love this person well?” and God would tell us, “Use People First Language.” See them first as a unique person – made in My image – see them first as people – before you see their skin color, their clothes, their tattoos, or their income. Value them because I made them.”
– Virginia Thompson
A few months ago, we shared the story about the sweet birth announcement from friends regarding the birth of their son, Walt, who was born with Down’s Syndrome. A friend recently asked Liz, “What can our family do to be the best with Walt?” Liz first cried, thankful that there would be people in their lives who would make every effort to learn how to love Walt well. Later, Liz asked her friend to use People First Language with Walt. Liz had learned about People First Language while working at a children’s summer camp. People First Language teaches a person how to talk about and talk to Walt and other children and adults with special needs. It puts the person first then their diagnosis. For example, Walt is a child with Down syndrome. NOT Walt is a Down syndrome child. People First puts Walt as a child first then his diagnosis. This way of talking allows for the person to be valued as a person, not as his diagnosis. God wants us to put all people first. And God wants Christians to ask Him, “What can I do to love this person well?” and God would tell us, “Use People First Language.” See them first as a unique person – made in My image – see them first as people – before you see their skin color, their clothes, their tattoos, or their income. Value them because I made them.”
– Virginia Thompson