The Elms Resident Shares His Perspective About Diversity

More than 70 elementary school students from the Pine Point School were treated to a reading and discussion of the book, “What Really Matters,” by author and The Elms Resident Ralph A. Redding, M.D. yesterday. Focusing on the issues of diversity and moral character, Redding’s book piggyback’s on The Pine Point School’s year-long, student-wide cultural education project.

Dr. Redding’s book is the culmination of many life experiences. He has lived in three countries (Canada, England and the United States). He is a cancer survivor and an amputee. He has taught at an Ivy League University (Brown) and has worked with the indigent at a free clinic that he founded with his wife in New Bern, North Carolina. He is a father and a grandfather.

Published in 2013, “What Really Matters,” discusses a serious theme in a lighthearted, illustrative way. The story begins in the African Sahara as Zeke the Zebra begins to wonder whether he is a black zebra with white stripes or a white zebra with black stripes. In his search for answers, his animal friends’ opinions leave him feeling confused and inferior until he seeks the counsel of his wise friend Matilda the elephant. With Matilda’s sensible words, Zeke discovers that color and physical appearances are inconsequential in comparison to the condition of his character.

“Dr. Redding has lived in many communities and had many experiences in his rich life,” said The Elms Founder and Owner Guy Maiorano. “In this book he encapsulates the wisdom he has earned and distills it in a matter of fact, whimsical manner that makes sense to his audience. It’s wonderfully written (and illustrated by his granddaughter). The children of The Pine Point School enjoyed his reading and the message that the book imparted.”

The reading of “What Really Matters” is one educational installment in Pine Point’s “Culture Jam” theme for the 2017-18 academic year. The mission of “Culture Jam” is to expose students to various cultures through events and experiences by exploring what connects us all and to realizing that by knowing and understanding, we will no longer fear what was once foreign. The school’s objective is to help teachers, students and administration understand the impact we each have on each other and the world in which we live. Pine Point’s “Culture Jam” includes exploration through literature, poetry, games from around the world, food, music, dance, art, and pen pals as well as guest speakers and enrichment assemblies like today’s presentation by Dr. Redding.

“It’s an honor and a pleasure to help open the eyes of a future generation about something that life has taught me,” said Dr. Redding. “The Pine Point Students are inquisitive and eager to learn. They are the leaders and great thinkers of tomorrow. It was a pleasure meeting with them and sharing ideas today.”

The Elms is a privately owned, month-to-month rental community for 120 senior residents. Located in the coastal community of Westerly, The Elms is close to scenic, cultural and recreational sites right off of Interstate 95, the northeast corridor. In 1985 Guy Maiorano founded The Elms in an elegant Victorian mansion in historic Westerly. Since then, owner Maiorano has evolved and expanded the physical structure and services The Elms offers in order to meet the diverse aging needs of the community it serves. The Elms now offers independent living, assisted living, and the first dedicated memory care buildings of its kind in Rhode Island.