Pastoral Relationship with People with Intellectual ... - Theses

225oppression they experience, how should I best show identification with theinstitutionally oppressed?Amidst her anonymity and groans, how could I assist Sally to best beknown as a human being of equal regard to all?6.2.6 Narrative #6: OrchestrationWhen I visit this institution’s craft area I regularly find myself sitting nextto Malcolm. I would estimate him to be in his late 40s although he looks olderbecause of the ageing effects of Down Syndrome. He is living with the earlyeffects of dementia, a familiar characteristic for someone living with hissyndrome and of his age.Malcolm dresses neatly in comfortable clothing. He carries himself in agentle, dignified manner. He has a calm facial appearance and any physicalmovements are performed at a measured relaxed pace.Although he works in close physical proximity to various other craftworkers, and although those others seem quite comfortable with his company,Malcolm keeps largely to himself. He just seems happy being in his own spacenot far from others. I can’t say how he feels about those around him but at thevery least he appears comfortable with the overall environment.He gets on with his weaving whilst those around him keep up a steadybanter of chat. He can’t communicate verbally. He may occasionally offer a smallnon-verbal acknowledgement of something you say, such as a brief smile.However, for the most part, he seems comfortable with his own silence andcompany.He just gets on with his weaving at a slow steady pace operating on thebasis of what seems to be a clearly-proscribed and regular internalised rhythm.And each time I visit the craft area I see silent Malcolm weaving away accordingto that sense of pace.When I sit next to him he seems happy for me to be there. I ask him if hecould slowly demonstrate his weaving technique so that I might learn how to dowhat he is doing. He is happy to oblige allowing me a chance to practise on hisloom. He seems to trust me, or is just not cognisant or caring of my foibles.I leave him, thankful that through his quiet gentle manner he hasreminded me of the beauty of taking life at a calmer, slower pace. But I alsobriefly reflect on the sense in which Malcolm seems to live such a contained life.