I could not help but be struck by the similarities between the two articles which headlined the Tempo section recently: ”New life starts after elephant man`s disease” and ”Gospel according to Reverend Terry.” The key lies in our unbelievable fascination with facades.
How would Lisa H. respond to Rev. Terry Cole-Whittaker`s assertion that we ”hold the key” to having life always ”the way (we) want it”?
While Rev. Cole-Whittaker is ”Dressing to Win” and keeping ”her smile always on high beam,” Lisa H. is grateful to have ”a face the world will no longer ridicule, even if it does not look exactly like everyone else`s.”
Rev. Cole-Whittaker delights in her options: ”I might move totally out of a ministry structure and go live in a cave somewhere.” I suspect Lisa H. has often felt entombed by her ”ugly” face.
My heart goes out to Lisa H. and her family. Their courage has been an inspiration for all of us; but I reserve my pity for Rev. Cole-Whittaker, whose hideous insensitivity may be less obvious, but no less debilitating.
