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Profiles of Courage
BERNARD CARABELLO
I will always remember the time Bernard Carabello celebrated his 50th birthday. On a cold, snowy night in January, 200 of his closest friends gathered together to laugh and cry as one person after another spoke of the acts of kindness, inspiration, and irritation Bernard has bestowed on them by being a true friend.
Bernard is a craftsman in the art of relationship building. He repeatedly brings people together to join in a purpose that is bigger than his own. He respects and recognizes the contributions of each person whether they provide him with personal support or benefit the civil rights of all people. He is genuinely compassionate and irreverently intolerant of disrespect. He is generous beyond measure with his time, resources, and concern for others.
I find it hard to believe that he spent most of his childhood isolated and abandoned to a hostile and haunting institution. During the 20 years he spent at Willowbrook State School he spent all of every Sunday sitting by the window hoping that someone would come to visit him, which rarely happened. As he was freed from isolation he gave and received from others without ceasing. He lives with an insider's view of the healing power of relationships and the way that interdependence and cooperation can change the world.
(Story by Dr. Beth Mount)
My Hero: The Story of Bernard Carabello is Inspiring
by Malachy McCourt
There are people on earth who have not met Bernard Carabello and I pity them. The millions, if not billions, of people who have lived their lives and died and those who are now heading towards the grave, as we all are, and have never set eyes on this magnificent man, or been in his presence, must feel some loss in their lives.
He spent twenty years of his life at Willowbrook State School, being treated as if he couldn't understand life, love and human affection. He was abused in many ways, and punished for infractions of stupid rules, but he never lost his sense of hope that one day it would all change. And change it did.
He doesn't walk too well, he needs help with his food and sometimes his words are not too clear, but there is no nobler man walking this earth. His message and his passion are clear- there is no rest for him and he will not let us rest as long as there is one suffering disabled citizen left in any institution here or anywhere else.
Bernard Carabello is considered to be "The Father of the Self-Advocacy Movement." He is a compelling key-note speaker and consultant who challenges us all to build new options so that no person has to experience the devastating consequences of living in a Willowbrook type environment.
Contact Bernard Carabello at: 212-787-0161
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