WINGS: AFAITHLETTERFORUNITEDMETHODISTSWITHDISABILITIESANDTHOSEWHOCAREABOUTTHEM

Summer 2011—Vol. 22 Issue 1 No. 85

…ThosewhowaitfortheLORDshallrenewtheirstrength, theyshallmountupwithwingslikeeagles.... Isaiah 40:31 (NRSV)

FROMWHEREISIT:

AWINGSENCORE—MS. DISABILITYETIQUETTE

ByJoD'Archangelis

(Reprintedbelowis “Ms. DisabilityEtiquette,” aFromWhereISitcolumnwhichoriginallyappearedintheFall 1997 issue. Duetonodemandwhatsoever, Ms. DEmaybefoundagaininthecurrentissueinthefirstofapossiblenewseriesofcolumnsintheareaofsocialproprietyanddisabilitytobefeaturedonasemi-regularbasis. — Editor)

Q.DearMs. DisabilityEtiquette,

WhatistheproperprocedureforshakinghandswithsomeonewithanobviousdisabilitywhomImeetinchurch? Howabouthugging? Idon’twanttohurtorembarrassanyone.

TemporarilyAble-BodiedButFriendlyinSanDiego

  1. DearFriendlyTABinSanDiego,

Yourdesiretolearn ‘theproperprocedure’ formakingsocially-acceptabletactilecontactwithPWDS (personswithdisabilities) iscommendable. ToooftenTABSwillshyawayfromevensaying ‘hello’ tous, leastofallplacingtheirhanduponourpersons.

Therearecertainpeculiaritiesandobstaclesinvolved, notforallsituations, ofcourse, butforsome. Forexample, Ms. DEglidesaroundinapowerchairand, becauseofmuscularweakness, isunabletoliftherhandfromthejoystick. Consequently, peoplehavesometimestakentoshakingherindexfingerwhichisalwayssomewhatextended, albeit, shehastenstoadd, inanon-obscenemanner.

Atothertimes, theyhavepressedtheirhandontopofhers, whichisalovelygesture, butitinadvertentlymovesthejoystickcausingMs. DEtosuddenlycareenpastthem (orintothem) leavingthemtowonderwhathergoldarnedproblemis.

Ms. DE’srule-of-thumbforhandshakingis, ifindoubt, i.e., ifthePWDseemsunwillingorunabletoextendher/hishand, thenask, “MayItakeyourhand?” Ifthereisaffirmation, takethehand (rightorleft, whicheveroneisindicated), gentlyshakeit, and—thisismostimportant—returnittowhereyoufoundit.

Ifhandshakingisoutofthequestion, asinthecaseofsomeamputees, thenonemightbrieflyplaceone’shandonthePWD’sshoulderorupperarm, butnotonthetopofthehead. Donotpat, aspattingsignifies “youpoorlittlethingyou,” anditisnevergoodmannerstosignifypityorcondescension.

Asforhugging, Ms. DEisgenerallyinfavorofit. Restassured, rarelydoesafriendlyhuginjureanunsuspectingPWD. Ontheotherhand, anoverlyenthusiasticembracemaydisruptdelicately-maintainedbalance, andonedoesn’twantone’shuggeetofallintoone’sarms, doesone? (Well, maybeonedoes, butthat’sadifferenttopic...)

Again, itisbesttosimplyask, “MayIgiveyouahug?” Andtheniftheansweris “hey, whynot?” orsomethingsimilar, bepreparedtoworkaroundbraces, crutches, unco-operativelimbs, footrests, joysticks, guidedogs, and/oreyeglasses (Ms. DE’sglassestendtowindupaskewwhensheishugged). Itis, however, wellworththeeffortforboththehuggerandthehuggee.

NowMs. DEpresentsevenmoreinterestingcomplicationstowould-behuggersforshehasseverescoliosis (orwhatwerefertoasa “sexy, sinuous, sensual, C-shapedcurve”) andsitslowinherchair. ThusonehastobendwaydowntoMs. DE’slevelwithoutaudiblycreaking (acommonproblemwith friendsof ‘acertainage’) andgetone’sarmaroundherspatially-compressedbodywithoutcausingeitherdislocationorembarrassment.

Ms. DEherselfprefersthatoneplaceanarmlightlyabouttheshouldersandgivealittlesqueeze. Anadditionalbutoptionalmove—dependingonthelevelofaffectionandagilityofthehugger—istoplaceone’scheeknexttothehuggee’s (thisiswhereMs. DE’sglassesoftenwindupaskew, butitisasmallpricetopay).

Finally, dearestTAB, ifshowingfriendlyrespectoraffectiontoaPWDappears, atfirst, tobefraughtwithfrustration, considerthefrustrationsomePWDSfeelinnotbeingabletoinitiatehandshakesorhugsortoreturntheminkind—atleastnotinthebrief, cursorywayinwhichmostsuchsocialcontactingtakeplace.

However, Ms. DEfindsthemosteffectiveactionanyPWDcantake, withorwithouthandshakesandhugs, is reallyquitesimple: afriendlysmileand/oraspoken “I’msohappytomeetyou—seeyou—knowyou.”

(WithsincereandprofoundapologiestoMissManners.)

ASKMS. DISABILITYETIQUETTE:

“OH, SAYCANYOUSEE…?”

Q. DearMs. DisabilityEtiquette,

Iamanable-bodiedcollegestudent. Inoneofmyclassesisastudentwithahearing-impairmentwhocan’ttalk. Sometimesweusewordsreferringtotalkingandhearinginclassdiscussionorgeneralconversation. Doesthisbothertheguywhoisdeaf?

WonderingInIndiana

  1. DearWonderingInIndiana,

Thebestwaytoascertainifanotherpersonisbotheredbyone’swordsis, ofcourse, toaskthatpersondirectly. Ms. DEsuspectsthatinthesituationyoudescribetheanswerwillmostlikelybe “no, notatall.”

WePWD’sarefullyawarethatwewilloftenbeparticipantsin, oraudienceto, conversationsanddiscussionsreferringtophysicalorsensoryactivitiesthatwecannolongerengagein (orneverhavebeenabletoengagein). Withtheexceptionofthosefewamongofuswhosufferfromterminalhypersensitivity, wewillnotnormallyfindsuchthingsbothersome.

Onemightalsonote, whileweareonthesubject, thenumberofcolloquialismsandslangtermsinourlanguagethatmetaphoricallyalludetophysicalandsensorycapabilities—forexample, a “realstand-upguy” whois “hiddeninplainsight.”

Andsimplyconsiderthefirstfewlinesofthenationalanthem. Whencalleduponto “say” ifwecan “see” whatwehavepreviously ”hailed” (thelatterreferringeithertoashoutedgreetingortoanarm-liftedsalute), dowePWD’stakejustifiableumbrageandrespondwithanemphatic “heckno”? Heckno.

Havingsaidthat, however, situationsdoariseinwhichtheuseofwordssignifyingphysicalorsensorycapabilitiesmayprovesomewhatannoyingtoPWD’s—whensomeonewill, forinstance, directapersonwhoishearing-impairedto “listentothat,” orapersonwhoisvisually-impairedto “lookthisover,” orapersonwhoismobility-impairedto “walkthisway.”

NowMs. DErealizesthatsomedisabilitiesarenotreadilyapparentandinthosecasesitisbesttorespondtothefauxpas (which, incidentally, isFrenchfor “false” or “wrongstep,” wouldn’tyouknow?) bypolitelyindicatinginsomefashionthatoneisunabletocarryouttheactionrequested.

Inthosecaseswherethedisabilityisfairlyobvious—perhapsthepresenceofthewheelchairorguidedogorsign-languageinterpretergivesitaway—andthespeakerexpressessomeembarrassmentathis/hermomentarylapseofattention, onemayperhapsaddabitofhumortoputthespeakeratease, asin “I’mafraidIcan’twalkthisway, butIcanrollthatway.”

If, however, thespeakerremainsinachronicstateofcluelessnessinregardtohis/herverbalblunderanddoesnotevenhavethegoodsensetobesubsequentlyembarrassedbyit, allonecandoissmilethroughgrittedteethand—uh—moveon.

Ifyouhaveaninquiryinregardtodisabilityandetiquette, pleasee-mailorwritetheeditor, JoD’Archangelis, atthee-mailaddressormailingaddressgivenbelow.

AFRIENDWHOCARES

ByHenriJ. M. Nouwen

Whenwehonestlyaskourselveswhichpersonsinourlivesmeanthemosttous, weoftenfindthatitisthosewho, insteadofgivingadvice, solutions, orcures, havechosenrathertoshareourpainandtouchourwoundswithawarmandtenderhand. Thefriendwhocanbesilentwithusinamomentofdespairorconfusion, whocanstaywithusinanhourofgriefandbereavement, whocantoleratenotknowing, notcuring, nothealingandfacewithustherealityofourpowerlessness, thatisafriendwhocares."

FromTheRoadtoDaybreak: ASpiritualJourney.

MYLITTLEWHITEBOARDANDME

ByRev. RickUhls

(UhlsispastoroftheFirstUnitedMethodistChurchinRedondoBeach, Calif. Aftersurgerytoremovebenigngrowthsfromhisvocalcords, hewasunabletotalkforseveralweeksandcommunicatedwithothersbywritingmessagesonasmallwhiteboardhecarriedaroundwithhim. Belowareacoupleofencountershehadwhilerunningsomeerrands. — Editor)

Firststopthatdaywasataservicestationtoexchangemyemptypropanetanksforsomefullones. Iwentinside, smiledattheattendantandwroteonmywhiteboard, "Ican'ttalk. AndIneedtoexchangemypropanetanks."

Theresponsefromtheattendantwas, "Oh, youcan'ttalk. Uh, okay, let'sseehere..." Shethenbegantospeakveryloudlytellingmyhowmuchitwouldbe.

Ismiled, noddedmyheadandpulledoutmycreditcard. Theattendantlookedsurprised, smiledattheotherattendantandnoddedherheadtowardsmeasiftosay, "Look, thisidiotknowshowtouseacreditcard!"

Afterthetransactionwascompleteshebeganspeakingevenlouderaskingmewheremycarwas, completewithawholestringofgesturestryingtodescribeacarandpretendingtouseasteeringwheel.

Iwasn'tsureifIshouldlaughorjusttryandusemyvoicetosay, "I'mnotdeaforstupid, Ijustcan'ttalk!" Idecidedneitherwasagoodoptionandjustpolitelysmiled, exchangedmypropanetanks, andwentonmyway.

Onanotherday, Ihadaverydifferentexperience. IhadtotakemynonfunctionalMacBooktotheApplestoreforrepairs (yes, Macscanbreakdowntoo—muchtomychagrin).

IgottothedoorandwasgreetedbyoneoftheApplecarefolkswhoaskedhowhecouldhelpme. Ishowedhimmywhiteboardwithmynote, "Ican'ttalk." Hesaid, "Oh, okay. Canyouhear?" Inoddedmyheadyesandhesaid, "Okay, let'sseehowIcanhelpyou." HesaiditinawaythatmademefeelasthoughIwerethe 10thpersonthathadshownupthatdaywith “Ican’ttalk” writtenonawhiteboard.

Notwantingtowastetime, Ibeganwritingfranticallyontheboard. Hesaid, "It'sokay. Takeyourtime. Youdon'tneedtorush." Ibreathedasighofreliefandexplainedtheproblemwithmycomputer.

WithinafewminuteshehadmesetuptoseethepersonIneededtosee. Withhardlyanyeffort, thisyoungmanhadmademefeellikeIwasjustanothercustomerinthestore. Itwasagoodfeeling. ItwasafeelingIhadn'texperiencedbeforeinmyoutingswithmywhiteboard.

UMCHURCHRESTROOMMAKEOVERPROVIDESDISABILITYACCESS

(ThefollowingconsistsofexcerptsfromthePacificBeach (Calif.) UnitedMethodistChurchnewsletter, “BeachBreeze,” detailingthetimelineofthechurch’srestroomremodelingprojectfrominceptiontosuccessfulcompletion. — Editor)

JUNE 2010—Goodnews: thebeamunderthemen'ssocialhallbathroomisevenmorerottennowthanitwassixmonthsago! Okay, thatmaynotsoundlikesuchgoodnews, butthinkofitthisway: wearenowblessedwiththeopportunitytoactswiftlytomakenecessaryrepairsandimprovements. AtitsMaymeeting, PB-UMC'strusteesagreedourgoalistoendupwithmen'sandwomen'sbathroomsthatmeetADAstandards, aresparklingclean, attractive, andsafe.

Weallwillenjoytheresultsofabathroommakeover. Wheneverthechurchisengagedinmissionandministry, thesearethebathroomsthatareopenandinuse. FromSundaymorningworshipandSundaySchool, toWednesdayNightMinistry, toFridayNA, toSaturdayPrayerShareorPrayersandSquares, toTuesdayeveningmeetings, we'veallhadoccasiontostopinthesocialhallrestrooms. Theywerelastremodeledinthe 1970's, whichgivesusperspectiveontheimportanceoftheinvestmentwewillsoonmake.…

[Churchmembers] havealreadysteppeduptooffercoordination, design, andgrant-writingservicesrespectively. Aswedidwiththechurchkitchen, weexpecttofundtheworkwithacombinationofcontributionsfromwithinthechurchandthecommunity.…

So, onceagain, (assoofteninthepast) wearelookingforwardtobeingamazedbyhowmuchGodcanaccomplishwhenGod'speoplearewillingtobecomeGod'spartnersinministry. InthehopefulandhappywordsofKenCallahan, "GodinvitesustothefutureGodhaspromisedandispreparingforus.”

JULY 2010—OurfutureisjoyfulbecauseourfaithinGodcallsusforwardtocontinueincompassionateservicetoourcommunityandinhospitalitytoourchurchfamily, friends, andneighbors. Sometimeswefaceobstacles: thesupportbeamsunderthebathroomarerotting; theeconomyisadverselyaffectingmembersofthechurch. YetweknowthatGodhasalwayshelpedGod'speopleinthepastwhentheystayfocusedonChrist'sministrywithgenerosityandhope. AsGalatians 6:9 affirms, weknow "wewillreapatharvesttime, ifwedonotgiveup!"

AsoftheendofJune, wehaveraisedourfirsttenthousanddollarstowardourgoaloffiftythousand. FivethousandreceivedfromchurchmembersandfriendshasbeenmatchedbyfivethousandfromthePrewittestate, andwearetwentypercentoftheway! That'sbecause "wheneverwehavetheopportunity" we "workforthegoodofall" (Galatians 6:10). Newandimprovedsocialhallbathroomswillbegoodforallofus—Sundayschoolfamiliesandchildren, Wednesdaynightguestsinneedofanutritiousmealandmedicalcare, meetingattendees, andthoseenjoyingreceptionsfollowingweddingsorfunerals. Thefactofthematteris, clean, accessibleandfunctionalbathroomsareessentialtoourministry!…

Wearegratefulforthegiftssentbyourextendedfamilyoffaith, spreadthroughoutthecountry.It'sgoodtoberemindedthattheyhavefaithinusandwhatwearedoingheretomakeahomeforChrist'sministryinSanDiego. MayGodblessusasweallstepforwardtodowhatwecantohelpbuildPB-UMC'sjoyfulfuture.

AUGUST 2010—…Creatingaccessisachallenge, sincethespaceavailableisoddlyshapedandnon-negotiable. Goodmindsareworkingonit, however, andmaterialsareunderconsideration. Meanwhile, 39 gifts (rangingfrom $5 to $1000) totaling $7885 havebeenreceived. WhenmatchedfromPrewittcontribution, wehave $15,770 toputtoward "OurJoyfulFuture."

SEPTEMBER 2010—Ourfundhasreached $8,605, which, whenmatchedbythePrewittestate, becomes $17,210. ThegrantapplicationhasbeensubmittedtotheCongregationalLoanCommitteeofthe [California-Pacific] AnnualConference [oftheUnitedMethodistChurch] andwillbereviewedonSeptember 11. Bidshaveconfirmedthattheprojectwillcostinthe 40- to 45-thousanddollarrange. Acontractorhasbeenidentified. Thankyouforyouron-goingprayerandsupport.

OCTOBER 2010—AllmembersofPB-UMCareinvitedandencouragedtobepresentonTuesday, October 5, beginningat 7:15 pmaswewelcomeour [SanDiego] DistrictSuperintendent, theRev. MyronWingfield, andsharehighlightsofourministry. Theregionalbodyofourdenomination, knownastheCalifornia-PacificAnnualConference, hasofferedtohelpuswithadonationof $14,000 towardourbathroomrenovationproject. Wewillvoteonacceptanceofthisgift….

OCTOBER 2010—Withthevisionbeforeusofsafe, new, clean, andmoreaccessiblesocialhallbathrooms, membersandfriendsofPBUMCcontributed $11,000. Then, onSeptember 11, acommitteeoftheCalifornia-PacificAnnualConferenceoftheUnitedMethodistChurchvotedtograntus $14,000. Thecontributionsandthegrantcombineforatotalof $25,000. MatchedbythegenerosityofthePrewittestate (fromtheportionofthefundsgiventobeusedasmostneeded), thetotalnowavailable ($50,000) shouldprovidesufficientresourcestocompletetheproject. Hallelujah! ThanksbetoGodandtoallkindandgenerousgivers.…

NOVEMBER 2010—Thanksto 53 generousgivers, thevisionandgraciousnessofthePrewittestate, thepartnershipofotherUnitedMethodistChurches (intheformofagrantfromtheAnnualConference), lotsofprayer, thededicationofprojectsupervisorRichard, theprobonodesignconsultingservicesofMegan, andthesteadfastloveofGod, thesocialhallbathroomrenovationprojectisnowunderway! Stageoneisdemolition. Lotsofrubblehasbeenhauledaway. Nextwillbetheinstallationofnew, solidsupportbeamsandsubflooring. Afterthat, thecreationofthenewbathroomscanbegin! Theprojectisexpectedtotakeaboutamonth….

JANUARY 2011—ThanksbetoGod, thebathroomsarefinishedandavailableforuse! Threecheersforallwhovisualized, designed, donated, andmanagedtheproject.

AFTERWORDS

(Inane-mailtotheeditor, Rev. AprilHerron, pastorofPacificBeachUnitedMethodistChurch, givesmoredetailsastohowtherestroomsweremadedisability-accessible.)

Wereducednumberofstallsinthewomen'sbathroomfromthreetotwosothatonestallcouldbehandicapaccessible. Inthemen'sroomwereducedthenumberofurinalsfromtwotoonesothatthestallcouldbehandicapaccessible. Wewentfromhavingcabinetsunderthesinkstojusthavingcounterssothereisnoobstacleforawheelchairorscootertoapproachthesinks.

Weinstalledanelectronicdooronthewomen'sbathroomentrancebecausetheentranceisattheendofanarrowhallsothiswayit'seasytogostraightin. Thereisplentyofturningradiusinsidethewomen'sbathroom. Previously, ouronlyhandicapaccessiblebathroomwasadjacenttothesanctuary. Nowwehavetheseinthesocialhallaswell.

Becausewewerereducing "capacity," whichwasaconcernforourWednesdayNightministrywhenwegatherabout 200 peopleforamealandoffermedicalclinicswhichareopenforfourorfivehours, wedecidedtomakeour "choirroom" bathroomsavailableonWednesdayNightsaswell.

Becauseoftheirlocation, thiswasasimplematterofinstallinganinteriorsecuritygatewhichcanbeclosedoropeneddependingontheneedsofthesituation.

BECOMINGFAMILY

ByPeterStorey

Fromhiscross, Jesuscreatedacommunitythatwastobecomefamilytothewidow, theorphan, theoutcast, andthestranger. OnlywhenwehavelearnedtoofferwelcometothemodernequivalentofpeoplesuchasthesedowecomeclosetoChrist’sintention. Itisnot “familychurches” but “churchfamilies” thattheworldneeds.

FromAliveNow (May/June 2011). ReprintedfromListeningatGolgatha: Jesus’ WordsfromtheCross. Copyright © 2004 bytheauthor. PublishedbyUpperRoomBooks.

LITTLETOGIVE

ByAngieScheerer

Yousayyouhavelittletogive,

Thatyourtalentsaremeager,

Thatyourshortcomingsdefineyou?

Aharshjudgment, myfriend.

Forwhoamongus

Hasgiftsinfullmeasure?

Whoamonguscanbecontent

Withhisownabilities?

Lifeisnotwhatweare

Butwhatwebecome.

Yousayyouhavelittletogive?

Whoamongushasmore?

Offerthelittleyouhave

Withagenerousheart.

Someonewillacceptit.

Perhapsmanywillacceptit,

Andtreasureit,

Andseeyourbeauty,

Andbaskinyourlight.

Offerthelittleyouhave.

Littleismorethanenough.

Forwhatisthemoon

Butapittedmass

Ofrockandclay?

Yet, howbeautifully

Shereflectsthelight

OfCreation --

Andoh, howconstantly

Weloveher!

FromAliveNow (January/February 2009).

Scheerer—wife, mother, grandmother—residesinHagerstown, Md. Herinterestsincludescience, art, andthespiritualdevelopmentofchildren.

INDIANAUMCHURCHESCELEBRATE

DISABILITYAWARENESSSUNDAY

TheIndianaConferenceoftheUnitedMethodistChurchhosteditsfirststatewideDisabilityAwarenessSundayMarch 20. Churchesacrossthestateobservedthedaywithspeciallitanies, music, drama, andsermontopics.

"DisabilityAwarenessSundayissimplyawaytoacknowledgethatourhearts, mindsanddoorsareopentoallpeoplewithdisabilities," saidBethDeHoff, wholeadstheIndianaConferenceDisabilityConcernsTeam.

WhyholdaDisabilityAwarenessSunday? Chancesaregoodthatyouhavechildrenandadultsinyourchurchwhohavedisabilities. Chancesaregreaterthatyouhavemanyotherswholiveinyourchurch'sneighborhoodwithoutachurchhome, asfewerthanhalfoffamilieswhohaveafamilymemberwithadisabilityattendchurch.…

AllofthemarechildrenofGod. Allofthemhaveuniquegiftsandpersonalitiesthattranscend—orperhapsilluminate—disability. ItisthislargebodyofindividualswithdisabilitiesanduniquegiftsthatwecelebrateonDisabilityAwarenessSunday.

ThatisallDisabilityAwarenessSundayneedstobe—acelebrationofallGod'speople. TheIndianaUnitedMethodistConference ( org), aswellastheUnitedMethodistChurch'snationalTaskForceonDisabilityMinistries ( ministries.org), providesresourcesforprayer, liturgy, presentations, andmusicforworship.…

AbridgedandadaptedfromVoice, thee-newsletteroftheUnitedMethodistDisabilityConnection (March 2011).

NEW “VOICE” SOUNDSFORUNITEDMETHODISTSWITHDISABILITIES

TheUnitedMethodistTaskForceonDisabilityMinistries (theformerUMTaskForceonDevelopmentalDisabilities) hasannouncedanewresourceavailabletohelpUnitedMethodistchurchesandagenciesbecomemoreinclusiveofandaccessibletopersonswithdisabilities. “TheVOICEoftheUnitedMethodistDisabilityConnection” isamonthlyelectronicnewsletterthatkeepsUnitedMethodistsabreastofcurrenteventsandprogramswithin churchesandconferences.

Accordingtoitseditor, LynnSwedberg, theVOICE “isameansfortheTaskForcetotellthedenominationaboutouractivities, suchastheGeneralConferencepetitionswearesubmitting.” Recenttopicshaveincludedinclusiveandspecializedcampingprograms, aconference-wideDisabilityAwarenessSundaycelebration[seearticleabove], andprogramsthatreachouttounemployedyoungadultswithdisabilities.

ThenewsletteralsolistsupcomingUMdisability-relatedconferencesandworkshops, andeveryissuecontainslinkstopracticalresourcestostrengthenministrywithpersonswithdisabilities.

“Theresponsetothenewsletterhasbeenverypositive,” saysSwedberg, whoalsoservesasTaskForcechairperson. “Peoplewhothoughttheyweretheonlyonesdoingthistypeofministryrealizetheyarenotaloneandbegintoconnectwithothersofferingsimilarprograms. Wepraythatthestorieswillmotivateotherchurchesandconferencestobeginnewintentionaloutreachesandcontinueaccessibilityefforts.“

ToseethefirstissuesoftheVOICEinthearchiveandtosubscribetothenewsletter, gototheTaskForcewebsite “GetInvolved” page. Tosubmitworkshop/conferencedatesorarticles, . (Itisadvisabletosubmitdatedmaterialwellinadvanceofevent.)

AdaptedfromaUnitedMethodistTaskForceOnDisabilityMinistriespressrelease, May 2011.

ITSAYSHEREINTHEUMCBOOKOFDISCIPLINE…

GeneralProvisionsRegardingChurchwideSpecialSundaysWithOfferings (Paragraph 265)

4. DisabilityAwarenessSunday—DisabilityAwarenessSundayshallbeobservedannuallyonadatetobedeterminedbytheannualconference. DisabilityAwarenessSundaycallstheChurchtocelebratethegiftsandgracesallofpersonswithdisabilitiesandcallstheChurchandsocietytoFullinclusionofpersonswithdisabilitiesinthecommunity. Iftheannualconferencesodirects, anofferingmaybereceivedandthefundsusedbytheannualconferencetopromotethecreationofarchitecturalandattitudinalaccessibilityinlocalchurches. TheobservanceofDisabilityAwarenessSundayshallbeunderthegeneralsupervisionoftheGeneralBoardOfGlobalMinistries.

Fromthe 2008 BookofDisciplineoftheUnitedMethodistChurch.

(Editor’sNote: Thisprovisionwassubmittedandapprovedbythe 1996 GeneralConferenceoftheUnitedMethodistChurch.)

WRESTLINGGODOVERPAIN:

ANINTERVIEWWITHJONIEARECKSONTADA (PART 1)

ByRobinRussell

JohnWesleyoncewrote, “ThereadiestwaytoescapefromoursufferingsistobewillingtheyshouldendureaslongasGodpleases.” JoniEarecksonTada, aquadriplegicsinceshebrokeherneckinadivingaccidentasateenager, livesthatoutdaily. Ms. TadaisthefounderofJoniandFriends, aCalifornia-basedministryforpersonswithdisabilities, andWheelsfortheWorld, whichdistributeswheelchairstothedisabledpoor. Sherecountshercurrentstruggleswithchronicpaininhernewbook, APlaceofHealing (DavidC. Cook, September 2010). Ms. Tadawasrecentlydiagnosedwithbreastcancer, butspokewith [UMReporter] managingeditorRobinRussellonJuly 30, 2010, the 43rdanniversaryofheraccident.

Whatpromptedyoutowriteaboutthisnewchronicpainthatyou’vebeenexperiencing?

PartofthereasonisIneededtotakeacloserlookatsomeofthoseScripturesthatweresohelpfultomewhenIwasfirstinjured. Havingthatpainattimeswassochallenging, soconsuming. IhadtolookbackatGod’swordandask, “NowLord, whatisitthatyoutaughtme? WhatdidIlearn? WillIhavetolivewiththischronicpain?”

LittledidIrealizethatIwasalsocarryingthiscancer. Iwasshockedandstunnedtogetthisnewdiagnosis. Themanuscriptwasbeingsentofftothepublisher, andIhadtomodifytheepilogue. Butthankfully, inthelastyear, IhadgonebackandlookedatthoseScripturesandstudiedthem. Sotherewasnodoubtorfear. IhadtheconfidenceofagoodyearofdifficultstudytorestonasIgotthisnewdiagnosis.

Youtalkaboutyourfearsofwearingoutyourfriendsandyourhusbandwiththephysicalassistanceyou’veneeded. Howhardhasitbeentoacceptthatincreasedhelp, andwhat’sbeentheirresponse?

Myhusband, Ken, hasbeensuchasupporttomethroughthistimeofpain, andofcourseinour 28 yearsofmarriagewithmyquadriplegia. Butinthelastmonthwiththiscancer, we’vegrownevencloser. Ithinkit’sagainanaffirmationthatitismoreblessedtogivethanreceive. Kenisgettingblessedfromhelpingme, serving, supporting, cheeringmeon, takingmetothesemedicalappointments—andnextweekitwillbechemotherapy.

IthinkGodispouringoutuponhimagrace, aspecialenduement, ablessingofcontentmentanddeepprofoundpeaceforhavingservedme. IthinkKen’sfocusisservingGod. ItjustsohappensthatGod’sgothimmarriedtome, andI’minawheelchairwithcancer. Ken’sgettingtheblessingforit.

That’sthewayItendtolookatmyfriendswhohelpme. Eachoneofthem, Iknow, willreceivethatgraciousenduementfromGod, thatsweetreplenishmentofpeaceandjoyinserving. AndsoI’mhappyforthat, thatthey’llbedrawnclosertoGodthroughthisaswell.

Youalsowonder: “HaveIreachedalimitinwhatIcanendure?” Wheredoyoufindencouragement?

Well, theGospelofJohntalksabouthowGodgivesgraceupongrace. Andthere’snograceavailablefornextweek’sworriesaboutchemotherapy. Ican’tbestewingthisweekaboutmyconcernsnextweekofnausea, losingmyhair, bonepainfromthechemodrugsthey’llbegiving. There’llbenograceforthatyet, onlygracefortoday. Thiswholethinghaschallengedmeandtaughtmetotakeonedayatatime. BecauseGodonlygivesgracefortoday, notgracefornextweek’sproblemsornextmonth’sheartachesornextyear’s. AndaslongasIkeepthatperspective, Ihavealotofpeaceaboutthiswholesituation.

You’veobviouslycometotermswiththefactthatyouhavenotbeenhealed, andevenwiththeincreasedpainandnowabattlewithbreastcancer. I’mcuriousabouthowyouhavelearnedcontentmentinwhatGodhasallowed?

That’sagoodquestion. Ithinkmycontentmentcomesfrom—well, it’ssomethingthatyoulearn, isn’tit? TheapostlePaulsaid, “IhavelearnedtobecontentinwhatsoeverstateI’min.” It’ssomethingyoulearn; it’snotnatural. I’mnothumanlyinclinedtobecontentlivingasaquadriplegicinawheelchairwithchronicpainandcancer. That’sacombinationthatjustmakesforlotofanxietyandworryandfrustration. ButIthinkwhatI’velearnedis 1 Peter 2:21: Tothisyouwerecalled—thatissuffering, alifeofhardship. Becauselifeiswiredtobedifficult; lifeissupposedtobedifficult. AndChristleftanexamplethatyoushouldfollowinhissteps. Andthosestepsleadmeinacloser, morewarm, vibrant, personalintimacywiththeLordJesus. Youcangothroughalmostanythingifyouknowthatyouarenotalone, ifyouknowthatGod’stherewithyou. AndthatiswhatI’vesensed, especiallyinthelastcoupleofweeks.

(PartIIwillappearintheFall 2011 issueofWings)

AdaptedfromtheUnitedMethodistPortalwebsite ( 12, 2010; originallypublishedAug. 20, 2010.

.

THEPOWEROFLOVE

ByJeralWilliams

Beloved, letusloveoneanother, becauseloveisfromGod; everyonewholovesisbornofGodandknowsGod. — 1 John 4:7 (NRSV)

OurmentallydisabledfriendHarrysitsbesideusinchurch. OneSunday, mywifeandIstoodtosingoneofthegreatoldhymnsofthechurch. Harrydidnotstandbecausehedidnotknowthewords. Whenheknowsthewords, hestandsandsingsloudly—andusuallyoff-key.

Inthepewbehindus, awomanbegantocryaswesangthehymn. Notwantingtoembarrassher, weworshipersaroundherpretendedthatwedidnotnoticehertears. Thatis, alltheworshipersexceptone. Harrygotup, wentbacktothewoman, andgaveherawarmhug. ItwasoneofthemosttouchingactsofcompassionIhaveeverwitnessed.

Harrymaybelimitedinsomeways, buthetaughtmesomethingaboutthepoweroflove. Loveactswhensomeoneisinpain.

FromTheUpperRoom (January/February 2003).

WHOSHOULDREADTHEBIBLE?

TheYoung - Tolearnhowtolive.

TheOld - Toknowhowtodie.

TheIgnorant - Forwisdom.

TheLearned - Forhumility.

TheRich - Forcompassion.

ThePoor - Forcomfort.

TheDreamer - Forenchantment.

ThePractical - Forcounsel.

TheWeak - Forstrength.

TheStrong - Fordirection.

TheHaughty - Forwarning.

TheHumble - Forexaltation.

TheTroubled - Forpeace.

TheWeary - Forrest.

TheDoubting - Forassurance.

TheSinner - Forsalvation.

TheChristian - Forguidance.

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WINGSHONORROLLOFAPPRECIATION

Wethankthefollowingpeopleororganizationswhosegiftsoftimeand/ormoneyhavemadepossiblethepublicationandmailingof

"Wings”:

PeteSciumbatoFamily (inmemoryofRuthSciumbato)

BillWilmaChain

JillHalley

GeraldCarne

Rev. Dr. KimballPamCoburn

CharlotteTarr

WINGS: Anon-official, non-profitquarterlynewsletterforUnitedMethodistswithdisablingconditionsandallothersinterestedintheissuesofdisability, accessibility, andthechurch

FOUNDER/EDITOR

COMPUTERLAYOUT/GRAPHICDESIGN: JoD'Archangelis

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Phone:

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