Bars

Today I practiced my mantra:

"Breathe in negativity, and breathe out compassion."

The people of Bahrain are amazing, loving, kind, generous people. You are welcomed with such grace. I have been bestowed with flowers and chocolates. Upon arrival to any location, I am greeted with Arabic coffee (watered coffee that has been spiced with saffron and cardamon), a warm smile, and peace.

It has been clearly conveyed that my presence (and that of my fellow delegates) is appreciated. But, nothing prepared me for what I saw today.

Bars.
Bars over windows.
Bars around baby cribs.
Pink bars.
Yellow bars.
Even padded bars-- so a person with autism couldn't "hurt themselves."

However, I also saw:
Love.
Kindness.
A hunger to change.
Happiness.
Walls covered in colorful paper flowers.
Staff and patients creating their own family.

But, the bars.


I struggled at times to maintain composure. Three fellow delegates would squeeze my hand signifying that they, too, were feeling similar emotions. The bars were a clear reminder of our purpose here. Tomorrow, we will all be presenting to the High Committee, a group of politicians selected by the Prime Minister to better improve conditions for people with disabilities in Bahrain. I hope tomorrow will be the first step to reshaping the policies of Bahrain, to reshaping the futures of the faces I saw today.

If we could just take down those bars...

As-sakaamu alaikum!
(Peace is upon you.)



Off to do more power-pointing and breathing.