One of our primary duties at Mephibosheth Ministry...
is to teach believers and non-believers alike how to interact with people who have disabilities. On this page, you will find general information about people who have disabilities and how to best serve to, and with, them. Generally, there are three causes of disabilities. They are developmental, illness, and accident.
- Developmental disabilities occur at birth or shortly there afterwards including cerebral palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Spina Bifida, and some forms of deafness and blindness just to name a few. Some disabilities are/may be caused by family history such as Down Syndrome, Rhetts Syndrome, and Sickle Cell Anemia. Developmental disabilities happen before or during the birth process. Life-long disability is the result. There is help, such as therapy, but there is no cure.
- Illness disabilities happen as a cause or a result of a sickness. Some are Polio, River Blindness, and Leprosy. Malaria and measles can also leave a person disabled.
- Accident disabilities can be caused by self-infliction, deliberate, or unintentional situations. Some are short term while others affect the rest of a person’s life. One example would be , the founder of Joni and Friends.
Interacting with someone who has a disability is very important. Please remember to be yourself. Talk in your normal voice as if you were talking to anybody else. If you’re talking to someone in a wheelchair, be sure to get on his/her eye level with out performing gymnastics. Don’t talk over them. It’s okay to shake their hand, and they will “make it work” if they aren’t able to. Remember, a smile goes a long way!
Many people with disabilities are self-efficient. While it may look like they are struggling and need help, many times that is just how they do things. They are used to it, so don’t think they need help. Always ask first. Usually someone who needs a lot of assistance will provide his/her own helper.
Is it okay to ask someone about his/her disability? While it is never okay to say, “Hey, what’s wrong with you?” many people with disabilities are not only willing but also eager to share their lives with you. The more you know about someone, the more you are able to understand and offer help.
Some pastors have asked us, “I hardly ever see a disabled person. Is there really that many to worry about? They never come to my church.”
Have you ever thought they are not there because they may not feel welcomed?
People with disabilities are the largest unreached people group in the world. It is also the only people group in which anyone could become a member during his/her lifetime. Ten-percent of the world’s population has a disability, and 90% of that group do not go to church or have a relationship with Christ. If our mandate is to share the gospel with everyone, shouldn’t that include people who have disabilities?
Many people who have disabilities and their families are often overwhelmed with life circumstances and do not have time to worry about having a normal life. Doctor and therapy appointments, learning how to use special equipment, not to mention feeding and grooming time can make it difficult to do much else. Many times people may be mad at God for causing their disability and therefore do not choose to attend church.
Remember, people who have disabilities are God’s children, too. He loves them. Our Lord does not look at the outside package but into our hearts (see 1 Samuel 16:7). We encourage you to start looking past people’s disability and realize they need the Savior just as much as anyone. Tait has written an article on what it’s like to live with his disability. To access it, please visit: Tait Berge, Living with a Disability
Five myths about disability ministry
1.You need a lot of money. Not true! You may need a little for basic supplies, but you likely own everything you need already.
2.You need a lot of space. Good news! You don’t have to find new classrooms. Just make sure the ones you have are accessible.
3.You can’t get volunteers. Once you explain that anyone can help people with disabilities in simple, practical ways, and that you don’t need a degree in Special Education, just a willing heart to serve, you’ll get more volunteers than you need!
4.You need a whole new curriculum and teachers. Nope! You can adapt just about any Sunday school curriculum or Bible lessons to people with disabilities. It’s all in how you teach it.
5.People with disabilities will be a burden on your church and will not add any value. Wrong! You will experience new life, gifts, and growth from a whole new community! Your church will be blessed!
-Joni and Friends