Well Dweller Moments: The 1st Rule In Disability Ministry Is…
“The 1st Rule In Disability Ministry Is… Don’t Talk About Disability Ministry.”
It’s a word play on a quote from Brad Pitt’s movie ‘Fight Club’.
Meant sarcastically and humorously. But it has some seriousness to it, too.
There is a culture or kind of unspoken rule within the Church that they would really rather let those with disabilities “naturally” find acceptance and relational development with the community rather than articulate and allow for a recognized disabilities ministry or build any kind of structured organization towards their specific involvements.
In an ideal and perfect world, I get it… But this isn’t an ideal world!
Ablism and social marginalizations use this unspoken rule to evade and silence the disabled community into obscurity and invisibility.
The effects:
· Whether intentionally or not, it creates a ignorance or lack of awareness to the disabled life.
· A loss of understanding the significant presence of disabled theology and community in the biblical story itself… particularly in the gospels.
· A lack of ability to fund, resource, structure, and communicate with and for the disabled in our communities.
· It forces the disabled community to rely entirely on a volunteer force for any and all activities which depletes the reasonable access to many resources such as building spaces to gather in, advocates who deserve financial imbursement for their time, and costs for hospitality in gatherings.
· Lack of charitable recognition for the greater community to be able to donate towards their disabled movements needs.
· Maybe some of my listeners can list some more in the comments.
What is the solution?
The Cocoon Visual
“Each struggle we face has purpose, and within each purpose are necessary steps we need to take if we want to figure out how to heal well. It’s a process. Healing isn’t about the destination. It’s about exploring the source of fear. It’s about peeling back all the layers, one after the other, and discovering freedom from fear.”
— Embrace Life, Embrace Hope: Cultivating Wholeness and Resilience through the Unexpected by Fern E.M. Buszowski
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