Teddy: A Particularly Special Person

Ted is a particularly special person. He can tell you anything you want to know about the Cincinnati Reds. He’s gracious. He’s loving. And it seems that he never has a bad day.

When his parents saw there was a chance for Teddy to get up close and personal with the team that he loved the most, his mom and dad did what any other loving parents would do: they bid. And they won.

And for a day, the 29 year-old Teddy was able to extend his love and personality to the Cincinnati Reds.

Reading stories and watching videos about the “Teddys” of society makes me recognize the blessing that Down Syndrome can bring. As an uncle of a beautiful baby girl with Down Syndrome my feelings have evolved as I’ve recognized the heroism and grace that can come with Down Syndrome. While initially betrayed by emotions, feelings of pity and sadness, it’s only through story that we are rescued. More today than ever, individuals with Down Syndrome are becoming equally capable members of society. Yet, it’s truly up to us to assure that these messages reach the masses. While printed in large newspapers and distributed online in video form, the onus is on you and me to assure that more “Teddys” become reality. We have the power to communicate and spread the stories that mean so much.

Therefore, it is my hope that you will read the linked article and watch the video. See Teddy overcome with excitement. Recognize that doctors foretold only doom and gloom for Teddy, and yet, Teddy overcame the odds and remains willing to give 100% each and every time. He’s a better man that I am. He’s a harder worker than I am.

Teddy is a particularly special person.

In hope,

Andrew S. Dungan, MA

Recognizing my Wife and Misogyny

My wife will finally graduate this year from College of St. Mary and then do a one year intensive to get her Masters in Occupational Therapy.

I remember that it wasn’t too long ago that I was an MA student and she was working three jobs and I was working part-time at Walmart. Now she is blooming into a professional and comes home excited and empowered to do great work. I am a very proud husband and I am sure that she will be a great Occupational Therapist.

If anyone has daughters that want to be surrounded by other young women, I would give a nod to College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska. While Creighton is great and both are Catholic, there has been something particularly empowering about an all-girl school.

To an altogether different topic.

The research of our colleagues in cohort one has been exciting to see and it’s sad that we still live in an incredibly misogynistic country and world. Seeing my wife become incredibly out-going and seeing the leadership skills that were always there come to life has giving me a breath of fresh air. That’s why we chose College of St. Mary in the first place. I don’t know why I am going down this rabbit trail. Maybe it’s partially because of it’s link to the research of my colleagues and the great work they are doing in this area.

On the other hand, I think that I am taking a moment to talk about this because it’s just on my heart.

I have found myself becoming more impassioned about the oppressed. I see great leaders under the tyranny of pseudo-leaders all the time. Whether it is because of gender or color or gender identity, all of it has become heart-breaking for me and I want to do something about it. At my job I continue to come in contact with more and more budding college leaders, many of which are from Creighton, who come longing to get involved in something meaningful. I listen to their stories and I find that it’s no longer okay just to “be,” but to “do.” The two (“to be” and “to do”) are connected for them. Without working out the “being” through “doing,” these new leaders disheveled and unhappy. Truth is, these students have been changed forever by the Jesuit charisms and because of their time in the Creighton community.

I am excited about the future and excited about leading some of these budding leaders. It’s fun to see!

A Hero’s Story Being Written

A Hero’s story is being written about all of us.

But I am no hero.

I have always been the type to trust, willing to give and receive the burn that could come because of my desire for intimacy. I have always been the variety that enjoys conversation and engaging in the deeper subjects of life. Although I enjoy topics such as sports, fishing, everyday things such as work and the family, I really delight in individuals coming together as equals and opening up. Maybe there are tears, maybe there is anger, maybe there are regrets. Whatever there may be, I am the type that likes the mutuality. Nevertheless, I am extremely willing to open up to others very quickly and tell facets of my story for two basic reasons: I understand the power of story and I hope that my story will help the other tell their story. However, I recognize that my paradigm of storytelling is counter-cultural.

As we tell our stories they may not always be comfortable to tell. In fact, telling our stories may be excruciating at first. You may be afraid to tell your story because you fear losing your job or you fear rejection from the one you are telling it to or you fear that the story you are telling may be told over again and be told incorrectly. You fear the perception of others.

Well, what can I say? Awful things can happen and probably will. This is the nature of the story. In many ways, we are all a hero’s story being written. I cannot tell you how many times I have listened to MY story told back to me incorrectly. It burns me up, really bad! The feelings of betrayal and rage are incredible! But we cannot allow this from continuing to take the risk of forming deep, lasting relationships with other people. Betrayal should never stop us from continuing onwards, onto the hero’s path.

We all have two choices: remain voiceless, holding tightly to our powerful story that can change and influence the world or take a chance that we could be betrayed, hurt and used and tell our story. I say take the risk.! Get burned!

Regardless of how people want to take my story and use it against me, so be it. That is their prerogative. Perceptions lie all sorts of places and rear their heads at odd times. Control what you can control and be the agent of change. The power that is held in your story and listening to the story of another can bridge the gap between people of extreme differences if we allow it to, if we will come to the place of great authenticity and transparency. But the question remains: Will we take the risk?

Will you allow the hero’s story to written about you? Beyond the deep hurt that you have endured, will you continue to embrace another through listening and telling your very important story? Will you come to that point in your life where you recognize that stories were meant to be lived and told? Will you recognize that no two stories are the same and no two people will come to the same conclusions regarding their stories?

I know, a lot of questions.

Nevertheless, when we start to answer them we will find the embrace from ourselves that we have always wanted and we will learn to love others as they should be, regardless of who they are.

Because a hero’s story is being written about each of us if we will allow it.