Charles Durrett was inspired by a community for people with intellectual disabilities in Iceland. It is called Solheimar and it was founded in the 1930’a by Sesselja Hreindís Sigmundsdóttir. When Charles visited in October 2019, he decided to start a book about this astonishing place. Now, the goal is to have the book completed by July 2020, so it can be presented on Solheimar’s 90th Anniversary.

Here’s a clip from the introduction:
“…For so many reasons, this place is a haven. Everyone refers to each other as a friend. It may seem like a small detail, but yes, in this case I do believe that the semantics make a difference. Starting with the forty-five ‘clients’ (for far lack of a better term) who, with their families, are motivated to see people have a better, more fulfilled life. I’ve never seen people, in this case social workers, invoke love and appreciation for others so readily and predictably as here. They have clearly embraced the notion that these are friends, and we are all equal. The workshops that Solheimar residents participate in include candle making, gardening, tree planting, weaving, ceramics, photography, visual arts, wood working, and drama…

In telling this story, I want to be honest and clear because there is a lot to be proud of in Iceland, from the local government to the people who work and live here. My hope is that this project will become a model and an inspiration for similar projects in the U.S., Canada, and the rest of the world. Too often there is too much humanity left on the table for those with neurological challenges, and as a result, people in need are literally wasting away. This place can teach us so much about the future...”

The name of the book is One Life – Live it, and for those who know the neurologically challenged and the lifestyle choices they can face, hopefully you’ll appreciate the title. It is the opposite of “Let’s leave lives potential behind – Let’s give up.”