Angels on Earth

Over the years I have heard several people refer to people with intellectual disabilities as angels on earth. I've even seen that glazed, upward, tears-in-the-eyes look when some people have said this.  The other day, I heard it again. In this case, a trainer teaching about autism said she believes people with autism are 'special' and 'angels on earth'. Before I go on, let  me assure you, my daughter is not an angel.

So, what's wrong with glorifying people with varying degrees of cognitive or neurological impairment as angels or guardians or special?

There is always an underlying message or belief with the words we use. I guess if we think they are angels, we could think they are better than the rest of us. That's not as bad as thinking they are less than the rest of us, which is more common, but it is still not equal. It sets them apart and that is not what they probably want. I've only ever seen them want to belong, not be set apart. What some people might be doing is trying to soothe their own feelings of pity or guilt by thinking of people with disabilities as angels. Considering them to be glorified beings gives us a palatable answer as to why some people have disabilities. Well, then we can think they have a special mission on earth. A mission to watch over us, help us be better humans, help us to become enlightened, and so on.

There's a danger to thinking that they are angels. If you have never heard of the "Pillow Angel" case, also known as "Ashley Treatment" be sure to do a quick online search. "Pillow Angel" is what some parents call their severely-disabled children because they stay on the pillow they were placed. It is meant to be an affectionate term yet they also call them "permanently unabled." These parents and some professionals erroneously believe that their children will mentally remain infants forever.  Back in 2007, the parents of a young girl born with brain damage decided to have her undergo some treatments and operations to keep her small and unable to grow into puberty. It's called growth attenuation and involved removing her breast buds, performing a hysterectomy, and hormone therapy so she can't physically grow bigger. They reasoned that since she will always be an infant in mind, best to keep her an infant in body so that her caregivers will have an easier time caring for her and will have a better relationship with her because of it. They also reasoned that Ashley wouldn't have to experience the discomfort of menses, possible breast cancer, and bed sores in the future if she received this treatment.

When I think of this case, I think of the many people I support each day to live a full life. Some of them, like Ashley, can't really move a lot. But we don't keep them on a pillow all day or in bed - we transfer them easily by using a mechanical lift and help them into a wheelchair. Then we have them accompany us and talk with them about what we are doing so that they can be involved as much as possible. They go out and do volunteer work. Some of them can't move their hands in a controlled manner, so we ask them if we can help them and then we push the elevator button by putting our hand over theirs and guiding them. There tons of ways to help someone with the most severe disabilities to be involved in this awesome life. They don't have to stay on the pillow. And we don't have to condemn them to a life as an angel.


Angels in mythology and religion have had certain roles in our lives such as messengers or guardians. One important aspect of angels, though, is that they want to be human. And that's all that the individuals with intellectual disabilities want. They just want to be like everyone else.

One more point...sometimes people think that we staffers are angels on earth and special. Stop thinking that way right now. We are paid to do a job. We love our jobs and don't want another job. We get much satisfaction out of our work. Thinking of us as special is degrading to the people with disabilities whom we support, as if they are so challenging that only special people can do it.