From Nancy Thompson

I am so sorry to hear of Jay's death. Jay was almost the same age as my son, Larry (age 41 on Oct. 13, 2008) who has multiple disabilities. I never had the pleasure of meeting Jay but his parents, Rud and Ann, were on the national speaking circuit with the parent training and information centers when I was involved at the IEP Center in Iowa as the training coordinator in about 1987-89. They told amazing and oh so real stories of their life as Jay's parents and one I will never forget was told by Rud about his challenge to keep Jay's toenails cut. He talked about how he was sure that Jay's toenails grew twice as fast as everyone elses and that he prayed that after he was gone, someone would love Jay enough to cut his toenails before they got too long. As the primary toenail cutter in Larry's life, I immediately took up that prayer for my son, as well. It might sound silly, but that is a huge concern, and I really related to that intimate need as another parent very deeply.

I never actually met Jay but his life had an impact on mine and thus on Larry's. Though it wasn’t Jay himself, it was the stories of Jay as shared by his parents, that helped form who I became as Larry's advocate and parent. Imagining how Rud and Ann are affected at their loss makes me weep with sorrow for them.

As a person of faith, I have kept the Beach Center, Jay, Ann and Rud in my prayers all these years, and will continue to do so.

With sadness and in hope,
Dr. Nancy Thompson
Director of Programs and Diocesan Relations
National Catholic Partnership on Disability