Pastoral Relationship with People with Intellectual ... - Theses

226He seems contained by the nature of his intellectual disability, as well as by theinstitutional practices and routines to which he has been subjected over manyyears. For he has experienced an institutionalism that primarily regards him andrelates to him as a client, as one who is there to be served as a result of hisimpairment. He has experienced an institutionalisation that has severely restrictedhis interaction with the outside world and has limited his possibilities for adiversity of human relationships and nurturing experiences.But now it is another day and Malcolm, along with a number of others, isattending a concert being put on by a local concert band. From a distance, I seesilent Malcolm come and sit down in the middle of the institution’s hall, a large,fairly cavernous space with a few wall hangings, dirty carpet and minimalfurnishings.Despite the hustle and bustle of the assembling throng, Malcolm, in hisown gentle way, quietly observes the band assemble. The band members findtheir seats and start to warm up their instruments. The trumpeters start blowingsome random notes, the flautist plays a few scales, and the drummer bangs hisdrums. And Malcolm suddenly comes alive.Amidst these sets of discordant notes Malcolm has sprung to his feet andhe’s conducting the band like an impassioned maestro. Others around him arestill settling down, chattering away, but Malcolm is there with imaginary baton inhand enthusiastically orchestrating the sounds of the unaware band members. It’sas if he’s bringing Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” to its tumultuous conclusion.And I’m wondering what he’s going to be like when the real music getsunderway. But it seems that Malcolm has heard the real music long before therest of us. He’s hearing sounds that bring him to his feet, beg his rapturousgesticulations, inspire his passions.The concert commences and Malcolm spends much of it continuing toconduct observing the varying tempos of the different tunes. All tunes, whethercontemporary or classical, are embraced with fervour and joy.The band proceeds for 45 minutes through its set of tunes before theprogram is brought to a bright conclusion with a familiar number. The band isgreeted with applause as they have been for each number they’ve played. Andwith the conclusion of the last number, with the music over, Malcolm sits andresumes his silent posture whilst waiting to be escorted out of the hall and back to