Giselle, thank you for that video!! I don't know if you remember my name, I was the comment a while ago that asked a question about disabilities :) back then, you promised a video and you delivered! As always, this is so informative and relevant, so thank you for that! I hope you know, how much of a bridge you build between my world (and the perception i had of hutterites) and your world. You really have helped to open my eyes and be less influenced by stereotypes :)
Ohh yess, i have been meaning to make it awhile and you gave me the boost i needed. Sometimes i'm unsure when it comes to making certin videos as i'm not sure if people will like it and I'm glad you liked it and hopefully i answered any questions that you may have had. :)
As a person with Cerebral palsy, I can attest to the fact each person is unique as G*d intented. People deserve to be treated with respect 🙏. We are to be productive members of society to the best of our abilities.
I’m pleased to hear your community cares so well for autistic people. My mother’s family, who raised me, thought it was best to shun autistic people like me because we are viewed as worthless. ❤🕊️🙏
I'm really stumped as to why people have asked most of these questions if I'm honest, why do people think because your hutterite you care for or deal with illness or disabilities any different than anyone else would. I honestly think hand on heart anyone with any illness or disability would receive better care and understanding than most! You have a truly wonderful community and with hearts as big as football's! Bless each and everyone of you.❤️
I agree with you! But also, to be fair, some religions/belief systems don't believe in psychiatric care, for instance - so I can see where some of the questions came from. But Giselle's answers were lovely and I'm glad to see that the Hutterites are accepting. :)
We all have struggles and mountains to climb in this world. I hope the acceptance and understanding of you and the Hutterite colonies spreads, the world needs more of this now. Thank you for demonstrating this quality. It is very much appreciated. God bless you.
According to the Wikipedia article on Hutterites :"Former members are shunned and are not to be spoken to". If that is true, I don't share their concept of love.
@@mailill I think it's safe to say that the article was written by someone that is not a Hutterite, I just now filmed a short and am replying to you before I upload it, but I think your best bet would be to question everything online that does not come from or was said by a Hutterite. I just want you to know that I'm NOT attacking you at all, I think that more people should know how important it is to get answers from a reliable source that is a Hutterite. ❤
@@gisellewaldner9406 Hi! Thank you for answering! I am actually delighted to get an answer from you, as I love your content and think there is a lot to learn from what I see of your lifestyle (though I don't think it is for all people to live like that) and maybe I am a bit shallow but I really admire the dresses you all wear, and I don't feel attacked at all.❤ I see the Wikipedia-article is wrong when it comes to your community's stance on higher education. Yet, I still wonder what the current policy is when it comes to exclusion of members and especially "shunning" of former members. Let's say, if you left for good, would your family and friends still have normal social contact with you? And did you have normal social contact with them the limited time you lived outside the colony?
@@mailill ok I had to google the word shunned, what you are talking about we call that excommunicated and it would have to be something really extreme for that to happen, it's not something that's common. former members that do choose to leave the Hutterite life for good, they do come back for visits on our colony it's for a week a few times a year although that is something that might be a little different from one colony to the next. I did see my family quite often when I lived closer to them, but when I resided in Calgary not that much, because of distance. if it's ok with you I think I'll scrap the short and just make a shot video reading and talking about our conversation here, I know more people are curious and most might miss the comments. ❤
I think the focus on everyone contributing somehow would be really helpful for a lot of people in the wider world. People that feel needed tend to be connected more.
This was informative and beautiful, thank you for making these Q and A videos Giselle!! I'm not surprised by the answers, I was still awesome to know more. I have autism and knowing if I lived on a Hutterite colony I wouldn't have been ostracized is awesome. God bless you and yours ❤️ God bless all who read this comment. You are loved beyond measure ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for that. As always, insightful and educational. I wish that others would see the joy of being in community and what community really is... to love the "invisible". I love working with my special needs friends and how they respond to people who they know care about them. (I love when my friends come and hug me with a huge smile on their face.)
This put a HUGE smile on my face. I have children with autism and who are deaf - everyone around me uses American Sign Language and I'm willing to bet that if you had community members who are deaf you would be using sign language as much as you do speech. I say that because of how your communities treat other disabilities rather than because of any knowledge of Hutterite Communities. It seems logical to me that your communities get whatever a disabled person needs to be part of the community then they would also learn sign language with some fluency to accommodate someone who is deaf.
on our colony we don't have deaf people but I do know that on other colonies there are people that are and they are a part of everything they have people signing for them at the the church services ect.
I am so glad that the Hutterites care so much about those who have disabilities. I have 3 Autistic children, but my church does not include them in activities or the parochial school. A lot of the other kids in the church treat them poorly. I stay because there are few churches in my faith and I am not willing to change my religion even if the kids might get better treatment elsewhere. Instead, I am going to try to fight for my kids rights within my own faith. Would that everyone lived in close community like the Hutterites. I truly believe that we should live together in that way as Christians.
Thank you so much for answering my question. I taught SPED for severely disabled children for many many years. This is a subject that I'm always interested in.
Thank you for sharing, Giselle. I wish I could belong to such a beautiful colony as you have. You truly care for and value each life and each member. I think we need more of this in our world. I hope you are having a good week 👍🏼🌴🐾🐾
I found this to be an amazing and beautiful vlog. There is one outstanding answer to all the questions regarding physical and mental disability/ disease. From cradle to end of life all members are loved, included and cared for. Everyone contributes according to their ability and has a place where they are wanted and needed. This is a family that provides the best and most cutting edge healthcare to every person. I find that it is the love in the Colony that sees everyone deserving of equal value and respect. It is a system fully following the Christian teaching. I wish we had more of this in the wider Society.
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. After starting to watch your videos, I have seen a few videos of people who have left their community. From my own personal observation, they appeared to have great emotional struggles. I believe that is part of the reason you received so many mental health questions. I know it contributed to my question. Also, the fact that I’ve picked up on your struggles that you’ve become more open about. I’m very sensitive to people who struggle emotionally because I struggle with it, and lost a family member to it. I really appreciate your openness.
you are most welcome. I want to be as real as I can and feel comfortable with because no matter which culture we come from we all struggle with things at times.
Giselle, thank you for this episode. I appreciate the way your colonies care for their own, “from the cradle to the grave”. I think that this is something that’s lost in much of our modern society. We could stand to take notice and learn from you. Thank you for sharing your life with us. 😊
A very interesting blog! Thank you. Also, I really love the burgundy material of the dress you were wearing at the end of the video. Your modest clothing is very nice.
What a wonderful video. I raised 14 children, with 2 adopted special needs boys ( who are now in their 40s!) And one of my beautiful grandchildren is an 11 year old with autism. These sweet soul have taught me more than I have taught them. ❤ God always has a plan.
Thank you so much, Giselle, for answering all of these questions! I particularly loved the answer for the person who thought they would feel guilty about not being able to contribute as much to the community as others - that is what it means to be part of a community. No one can do everything nor can everyone work all the time. When you are a member of a compassionate and loving community, the community is there to lean on as needed. We carry each others’ joys as well as burdens. ❤
❤Thanks so much for sharing your colony as well as others in your answers. Living in a Christian community does indeed have so many blessings! I’m a member of a plain (Mennonite) church and we also have a close church family. We fellowship as often as possible as we worship, learn & grow together! Our communities also care for our own, from cradle to grave, and that is the beauty of our faith! Sending love & prayers dear Giselle, my sweet sister in Christ! ❤ 🥰🙏🏻❤️❌⭕️🤗
Hi Giselle, I want to stand up and applaud you for handling all those questions so well. You did great. I did learn of sending people to university for special education. That’s neat. I’ve been a foster Mama to many special needs children. I’m not surprised in the least little bit the community serves everyone and there is a place for all. I enjoyed this. Thank you so much! Hi Priscilla 💕
The questions in the Q&A were very well addressed. Anyone who would think that members would not be helped is baffling. Thank you for your extra effort in answering the many questions sent to you. Blessings to all⚘️
Wow so many people interested in your health plans. I'd almost find that an insult. But that's just me. Love all your videos. They are refreshing to see & hear in today's world. Take care.
quite often, people have these questions since they would be considered 'different' and as such, the quality of life is poorer than what others may call 'normal' life.
Giselle, it is good see you again! Please don’t say “you talk too much” because you do no! I love listening to your calming voice! I also love how your community takes care of their own! The love you all show each other is unmeasurable!
@@gisellewaldner9406 Absolutely! Remember, everyone here is always excited to see another video and listen to what you have to say and share with us all!
Very interesting. I would have actually been shocked if you hadn't answered as you did. I expected that you truely do take care of everyone from cradle to grave in every sence of the term. Thank you for this.
Thank you Giselle for the questions and answers, the vlog so informative. I really learned allot about your colony and how you handle disability. I can see your colony is inclusive and takes care of people with disability. You are amazing for all the effect you made in answering the questions. You vlog helped me today as I was felling down. Your vlog cheered me up. Have an amazing week. 😊
Giselle I am so happy you're doing these Q&As. I wanted to ask you about being modest whilst working and cycling, I know you touched on cycling before but I have recently choosen to dress very modestly at all times. In the past I would just tie up my long dresses whilst cycling and not worry about my legs being on show but now I am wondering how to navigate this. Would you just wear leggings everytime you went out on the bike, even during the summer months? I would really appricate an indepth video on modesty (long dresses, head coverings ) and daily living. Thank you for sharing your life and your thoughts, Haven
I'm not Hutterite, but I dress modestly and I also love cycling :) I usually cycle in a skirt or dress. I think you need to figure out what your definition for modest is. If I'm wearing a long skirt, I usually don't wear anything extra, if I"m wearing a skirt/dress that is shorter but still below my knees, I will usually wear capri length bike shorts underneath it (the plain sort, not the kind that are padded in the back lol). Ankle length leggings are an option too, but I don't normally wear those in the summer because they're just too hot. A lot will also depend on the sort of bike you are riding. A "ladies" bike that is a step through will be a lot easier to get on and to pedal than a "mens" bike with the higher crossbar would be. There are some amazing Dutch style bikes that have chain guard (to keep your clothes clean) and a skirt guard that protects your clothes from getting caught up in the rear wheel. My bicycle has pannier bags that cover the rear wheel and give the same effect.
@@KellyS_77 hi, thanks for answering. The clothes you described are what I have worn in the past but when wearing a long skirt or dress I just tied them up so they didn't get caught in my wheels & had my legs showing. If I forgot to tie my skirt it would rip in my wheels. I had a step through bike and panniers but still got caught, now I have a trike. I'll have to look into a skirt guard, thanks for the reminder x
if they are in Canada, the answer would be 'no'. In the US, in order to be on SS or Medicare, they would have had to contribute through payroll deductions. So, if they worked outside the colony for long enough that would qualify, they would be entitled to those benefits. If they did not work outside the community, then the answer would be 'no'.
My sister worked with children at our city hospital. There are a few Hutterite colonies nearby and use this hospital. One little Hutterite boy was admitteď and was looking forward to what the other children were having for lunch, but his family came and brought all his meals. He was a bit disappointed.
I wonder if some of these questions are being posed by those used to a privatized healthcare situation? As these are Canadian citizens, they hare treated for physical/mental/behavioural issues at no cost, as healthcare is (in general) paid for via taxes. In the US, it might be that there would be concerns over who would pay for that treatment which might be complicated due to the communal lifestyle of Hutterites, and I would love to hear how things are done differently in the American Hutterite communities.
US citizens medical care is still payed for by the colony, even if the healthcare system works different in the US compared to Canada, the Hutterites and the way of communal living and taking care of everyone is the same.
Hi Giselle, Just a quick message to you and your family and Colony. Happy St Patrick's day to all of you. From Co Cork Ireland 🇮🇪☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
Your life style would be a lot better for autistics, from what I have seen. Life for the disabled in normal America is far from easy. Life in a Hutterite colony as a disabled person seems like it would be a lot better. I am glad your colonies are balanced about seeking professional medical help when needed.
Thank you, you answered all these questions very patiently! Some of them made me smile! Western civilisation was built on Christian values, that's is why we value and take care of sick and disabled people. It's not the same in every society. I had the impression that some people were expecting a harsh and inflexible or ignorant attitude. It's my experience that secular attitudes are more likely to view people as dispensable and as statistics rather than persons. You are right that community life already solves some of the problems experienced by individuals although it brings its challenges as well of course!. 😊
@@Volleyball_Chess_and_GeoguessrI don't think that not being bad is the definition of Christian because anyone can accept Christ but I also think there are some people who say they're Christian and aren't really.
@@rebeccanichol Anyone can accept Christ but part of that is a repentence from being bad. If the change isn't there, then that faith is dead, James wrote.
