God’s love comes into the life of a disabled Japanese woman with the help of communication by computer.
By Fr. Thomas Tehan

Columban Father Thomas Tehan laid hands on Yukie in preparation for her baptism.

Mrs. Maruyama, who was a devout Buddhist, was helped by the group to such an extent that she took a course in pastoral care so she in turn could minister to others in grief. This is how she began to visit Yukie Ohira at the Shonan Kibonosato Institution for disabled people.

Yukie is a 38-year-old, unmarried woman who was involved in an accident that left her paralyzed from her neck down. Fortunately doctors were able to create a system for Yukie in which she operates a movable knob attached to a computer. This enables her to, with difficulty, print on the computer screen what she wants to communicate.

Yukie spends about one week at a time at Shonan Kibonosato and then returns home to her parents, who find it difficult to care for her. Yukie can understand what people are saying, especially if they speak within her range of vision.

Seeking The Faith
Mrs. Maruyama had heard me speak about meditation and contemplation at one of the group’s meetings and had spoken to Yukie about it. Yukie showed great interest and wished to visit with me. She was overjoyed to see Mrs. Maruyama and me when we arrived at her parents’ home. Her mother greeted us, but looked so tired and fearful that I knew she was at her wit’s end trying to cope with the situation.

Mrs. Maruyama set up Yukie’s computer, and communication through the computer lasted about 90 minutes. We shared thoughts on meditation and contemplation, which opened up a new world for Yukie that she could engage in fully despite her disability. She was grateful and tapped out her thanks using the computer knob.

That Easter a Catholic nurse, Kiyomi Iwanaga, visited me at our church’s office. She told us that she knew Yukie from her school days and had been visiting her. Yukie told Kiyomi she wanted instruction in the Catholic faith. The nurse had been instructing her for several months, and Yukie had asked to be baptized.

On the night of Holy Thursday, Mrs. Maruyama and I arranged to meet Yukie at Shonan Kibonosato. Yukie was alert, and Mrs. Maruyama was extremely helpful as I spoke with Yukie about her prayer life. Yukie had been praying to Our Lady to help overcome her despair about her condition. I was satisfied that God was at work in her life and that with further instruction in the sacraments, Yukie would be ready for baptism.

Tears Of Joy
Kiyomi began preparing Yukie for baptism, confirmation and first Communion. We set the date of Yuki’s baptism with the desire that Yukie’s parents would attend. To my surprise, the baptism was arranged to be celebrated in Yukie’s home rather than Shonan Kibonosato. Kiyomi Iwanaga was to be Yukie’s godmother.

Mrs. Maruyama was thrilled to be invited, and Yukie’s father and mother attended the ceremony. Yukie herself was very excited. As the ceremony progressed, tears of joy flowed down Yukie’s beaming face, and her white veil contrasted with her red cheeks. It was a moment of grace for Yukie and all present.

I hope Yukie has discovered new dimensions of her own heart and a willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to guide her to the fullness of life. Yukie, too, can experience God’s love for each one of us and be a witness for her family and all whom she knows at the Shonan Kibonosato Institution.