disability ministry weekly round-up {3-12-12}
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A Disabled Adult Child, and an Always Uncertain Future "Reality has hit hard now that our older child has moved out of the nest but our youngest one never will. There is meaning in all of this when I let myself see it, but that can be hard when I’m changing a diaper or giving my 22-year-old daughter a shower. I struggle, nearly every day." {If this mother was in your congregation, how would you encourage her?}
Our Church Needs Brody "It is beautiful when you see children look past disability. There is something touching when you realize that they are not affected by the prejudice of our society. Brody is just Brody, and they too, were proud of him." {Does your church realize that Brody, who has cerebral palsy, is needed in your community?}
Darla, Cade, and the Boy at the Aquarium "We characterize people with Down syndrome by their challenges—much like we portray people in poverty by their problems. I’m so glad I’m not identified by what ails me. Chris? He’s the guy that is overly concerned by what other people think of him. Or, Chris? Oh, he’s a “considers-his-own-needs-above-all-others type of guy. Thankfully, I’m just Chris." {Do you talk about people with disabilities at your church by using their diagnosis or by using their name?}
20 Years Old Living with Russell-Silver Syndrome "I made it, but my father didn’t. I was in my mom’s womb trying to grow when the doctors saw that I was having trouble. “Failure to thrive” was written on my chart and there was concern. Ultimately, I was born a month and a half early at 2 pounds, 6 ounces, but my father was long gone by then. He didn’t want to have anything to do with a deformed kid." {Another dad, John Knight, has been transparent on his blog about the tough time he had when his son was born blind. Is your church a safe place for a dad to battle through the emotions - even the ugly ones - they might face when his child is diagnosed with a disability?}
Forgiveness for Moms who Fail "In my twenty-five years of pastoral ministry, I don’t think I have met a mom, including a preschool mom, who feels like she has done a good enough job." {While not special-needs specific, this article highlights a battle for moms, myself included. Is your church an affirming and encouraging place for moms struggling with these feelings?}
Ending the R-Word: Ban it or understand it? "Every time Ellen Seidman hears the word "retarded," she worries for her 9-year-old son, Max, who has cerebral palsy. She wonders if people will ever respect him, or see him as an equal, if they associate that word with people like him, who have intellectual disabilities. {I know we don't want youth and college students - from whom I hear the r-word more than other groups - to see Christianity all about rules, but are you willing to point out the de-valuing of God's creation every time someone who knows Christ throws around the word "retard" like it's nothing? I mean, you wouldn't be okay with other taboo words - you know, the ones we replace with #*&!$.}
Church helps with religious rites for special needs children "Most religious institutions today provide assistance for families with special needs children to be included in their services. The best thing for a family is to talk to their pastor about their own needs." {How will your church respond when parents whose children have disabilities talk to the pastor or another church leader about their needs?}
The Most Unlikely of Heroes "Emma forces each one us to see life through a different lens. She reminds us daily of what is truly important in life. It has been an incredible time for each one of us to learn to trust in God’s wisdom and sovereignty, especially during the times of suffering Emma has gone through." {This family adopted a daughter with Down syndrome. What does your church do to support families who adopt, keeping in mind that children who are adopted have higher rates of special needs?}
Autism - Don't Look Now, I'm Trying to Think "Children with autism look away from faces when thinking, especially about challenging material, according to new research from Northumbria University." {Do you usually gauge student attentiveness by eye contact? Should you reconsider that for kids with autism or with autistic traits?}
Very special worship "'Nathan's general view of the world is that it is unpredictable, challenging, and scary,' says his father, Seth Horwitz, 'and this provides a really comforting, secure moment.'" {This dad is talking about a Jewish service for kids with disabilities. What can your church do to create a comforting, secure environment for kids whose disabilities might make life unpredictable, challenging, and scary?}
Ministry brings families 'back to church' "'For a lot of families with special-needs children, they just stop coming to church because it gets too hard,' Morgan said, 'and this ministry is kind of something that helps bring people back to the church … and creating a place kids can share the gospel.'" {Where is that place in your church? If you don't have one yet, what would be the first step to creating one?}
Portland-area couple sues Legacy Health for $3 million for 'wrongful birth' after child is born with Down syndrome "The Levys filed suit against Legacy Health, claiming that Deborah Levy would have aborted her pregnancy had she known her daughter had the chromosomal abnormality." {How are you standing up for the lives God created?}
Our Church Needs Brody "It is beautiful when you see children look past disability. There is something touching when you realize that they are not affected by the prejudice of our society. Brody is just Brody, and they too, were proud of him." {Does your church realize that Brody, who has cerebral palsy, is needed in your community?}
Darla, Cade, and the Boy at the Aquarium "We characterize people with Down syndrome by their challenges—much like we portray people in poverty by their problems. I’m so glad I’m not identified by what ails me. Chris? He’s the guy that is overly concerned by what other people think of him. Or, Chris? Oh, he’s a “considers-his-own-needs-above-all-others type of guy. Thankfully, I’m just Chris." {Do you talk about people with disabilities at your church by using their diagnosis or by using their name?}
20 Years Old Living with Russell-Silver Syndrome "I made it, but my father didn’t. I was in my mom’s womb trying to grow when the doctors saw that I was having trouble. “Failure to thrive” was written on my chart and there was concern. Ultimately, I was born a month and a half early at 2 pounds, 6 ounces, but my father was long gone by then. He didn’t want to have anything to do with a deformed kid." {Another dad, John Knight, has been transparent on his blog about the tough time he had when his son was born blind. Is your church a safe place for a dad to battle through the emotions - even the ugly ones - they might face when his child is diagnosed with a disability?}
Forgiveness for Moms who Fail "In my twenty-five years of pastoral ministry, I don’t think I have met a mom, including a preschool mom, who feels like she has done a good enough job." {While not special-needs specific, this article highlights a battle for moms, myself included. Is your church an affirming and encouraging place for moms struggling with these feelings?}
Ending the R-Word: Ban it or understand it? "Every time Ellen Seidman hears the word "retarded," she worries for her 9-year-old son, Max, who has cerebral palsy. She wonders if people will ever respect him, or see him as an equal, if they associate that word with people like him, who have intellectual disabilities. {I know we don't want youth and college students - from whom I hear the r-word more than other groups - to see Christianity all about rules, but are you willing to point out the de-valuing of God's creation every time someone who knows Christ throws around the word "retard" like it's nothing? I mean, you wouldn't be okay with other taboo words - you know, the ones we replace with #*&!$.}
Church helps with religious rites for special needs children "Most religious institutions today provide assistance for families with special needs children to be included in their services. The best thing for a family is to talk to their pastor about their own needs." {How will your church respond when parents whose children have disabilities talk to the pastor or another church leader about their needs?}
The Most Unlikely of Heroes "Emma forces each one us to see life through a different lens. She reminds us daily of what is truly important in life. It has been an incredible time for each one of us to learn to trust in God’s wisdom and sovereignty, especially during the times of suffering Emma has gone through." {This family adopted a daughter with Down syndrome. What does your church do to support families who adopt, keeping in mind that children who are adopted have higher rates of special needs?}
Autism - Don't Look Now, I'm Trying to Think "Children with autism look away from faces when thinking, especially about challenging material, according to new research from Northumbria University." {Do you usually gauge student attentiveness by eye contact? Should you reconsider that for kids with autism or with autistic traits?}
Very special worship "'Nathan's general view of the world is that it is unpredictable, challenging, and scary,' says his father, Seth Horwitz, 'and this provides a really comforting, secure moment.'" {This dad is talking about a Jewish service for kids with disabilities. What can your church do to create a comforting, secure environment for kids whose disabilities might make life unpredictable, challenging, and scary?}
Ministry brings families 'back to church' "'For a lot of families with special-needs children, they just stop coming to church because it gets too hard,' Morgan said, 'and this ministry is kind of something that helps bring people back to the church … and creating a place kids can share the gospel.'" {Where is that place in your church? If you don't have one yet, what would be the first step to creating one?}
Portland-area couple sues Legacy Health for $3 million for 'wrongful birth' after child is born with Down syndrome "The Levys filed suit against Legacy Health, claiming that Deborah Levy would have aborted her pregnancy had she known her daughter had the chromosomal abnormality." {How are you standing up for the lives God created?}