Jean Vanier Research Paper

829 Words2 Pages

Jean Vanier is the founder of two international community-organization. Since 1964, He dedicated his life to aiding individuals with intellectual disabilities. He recognized that despite many significant social changes have occurred in society, a group that is still discriminated is the intellectually disabled.. They are often disregarded, rejected, and misunderstood. In response to this, Jean Vanier wants society to recognize that those with intellectual disabilities deserve acceptance and inclusion. Jean Vanier is an agent of social change who was effective in his use of advocacy to create social change for individuals with intellectual disabilities through his two international organizations. Jean Vanier established L'Arche, and Light …show more content…

This movement uses the means of advocacy and direct action to bring awareness about those with disabilities. Each Light and Faith community holds monthly meetings for disabled individuals and their loved ones for support (Chéné, 2009). Light and Faith communities have also impacted society by providing a deeper understanding of how intellectually delayed individuals function to many communities. It also organizes trips such as camps and activities that require interacting with outside communities (Chéné, 2009). These organized trips demonstrate why outside communities should not exclude individuals with disabilities from society by proving that society's bad perception of those intellectually handicapped are a bother, or unable to do as other humans can is incorrect. Jean Vanier's establishment of L'Arche has significantly impacted individual lives, loved ones and anyone else who has witnessed his work. Although L'Arche focuses more on the lives of intellectually challenged, it does not fail to impact the many other lives that have had the opportunity to work with the organization. People such as Niko Thomas, an airline pilot, who reported developing intense relationships with the individuals at L'Arche, being left with a wider horizon, and more tolerance and patience for those intellectually disabled (L, 2013). L'Arche has also affected the lives of those with intellectually disabled and their families (L'Arche, 2013). This organization has allowed for the intellectually disabled to live their life with as much freedom and happiness (L'Arche, 2013). This is evident in Gaston and Nicole Perreault's daughter Marie who happily celebrated her 22nd birthday while living at L'Arche (L'Arche, 2013). Her parents, like many others, recognized the positive affect L'Arche has on individuals like their daughter. Jean Vanier's establishment of his

Open Document