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- Superman

Superman

When I was going to MCC for my Associate's degree back in 99-2000, I worked relief hours at Heritage Christian Homes. Jackie is a little old man who lives at the house I worked at. Jackie has Mild Mental Retardation and Down's Syndrome as well as Bilateral Cataracts (which means he don't see too well). Everybody who works at the house just loves this little guy. He likes to sit in the living room easy chair and listen to the classical music station while petting his stuffed dog named Tanner. Jackie has a whole library of little catch phrases that he says when the mood strikes him.

"Ooh! That's right!"

"Good job. Perfect!"

"Your face and nose."

"Leggo my Eggo?"

"Good morning, good afternoon and good evening."

Jackie has difficulty recognizing faces due to the cataracts over his eyes. He can't tell the difference between most of the staff who come and go at Heritage. A few lucky staff have had the privilege of recieving Jackie's special attention... Ken, a kind man of 55 years with a shock of white hair is "Dick Clark!" according to Jackie. Bai, a tall black man from Sierra Leon is "Tarzan!". Now remember, Jackie is mildy retarted and can't see too well. He doesn't call these men names to tease them. Jackie seriously thinks that Dick Clark and Tarzan come to work at his house and give him meds.

Back when I was in school Jackie never learned to recognize me. I was just another blurry faced staff to him, unlike his special friends Dick Clark and Tarzan. When I got back from Haiti and was hired to Heritage full time I was so excited to know that I'd be working with Jackie once again. My first day back on the job, I thought I would re-introduce myself to Jackie. I bent down in front of him in his easy chair and said "Hello Jackie."

"Hi dere!"

"Do you remember who this is?"

Jackie squinted carefuly at my face for a moment and then got extremly excited.

"Superman!" he exclaimed and then threw his arms around my neck.

I hugged him back, grinning ear to ear.

I often find myself feeling discouraged or visionless living here America. Sometimes I don't think that I have grown very much as a man. People see my outer self and think that I've got my life all wrapped up and under control while inside I know there is still so much that needs to change and heal. I know my inner struggles and sorrows. I'm painfuly aware of my weaknesses; the Kriptonite stones of my life that I am forever striving against. I am no Man of Steel. Even still, I take heart in knowing that despite my frequent mistakes and shortcomings there is at least one person in this world who truly believes that I am his 'Superman'.

Thanks for believing in me Jackie.