Before I begin, I wanted to share a brief update on the future of the invaluable invalid blog. While I think the quality of my writing on here is adequate, everything else about the blog is pretty lame. There’s nothing about it that visually reflects my personal aesthetic, nothing other than my writing voice that mirrors my personality. But that’s about to change. I’m currently working on an all-new site design with rich visuals and a more eye-catching look. You can expect to see that right here by the end of March, if not sooner. Now onto today’s post…
Shortly after I began working at River West Church, I starting thinking about what a “disability ministry” might look like. As a kid, I never liked being lumped in with the other disabled people as if we weren’t fit to mix with the able-bodied crowd. So I didn’t want this group to be for people with obvious disabilities at the exclusion of those with “invisible” disabilities or no disability at all. This would be a group for people with disabilities and their family members, caregivers, significant others, friends, and neighbors. People with disabilities are just normal people facing incredible challenges. We have the same desires, fears, goals, and dreams as everyone else. To separate us from the general church population would be a grave mistake. People with all levels of physical and cognitive ability need to come together and support each other. This all sounds good on paper, but I wasn’t sure how to get things started or if anyone would come.
Then I met Lyla. Lyla Swafford is the director of the Portland chapter of Joni and Friends, a ministry founded by Joni Eareckson Tada. For those of you who don’t know, Joni Eareckson Tada is a well-known author and speaker who became a quadriplegic at the age of 17 in a diving accident. In the aftermath of her injury, God met Joni in a profound way and began the process of transformation in her life. Today, through speaking engagements, books, and ministry endeavors, Joni inspires many to follow Christ in the face of great hardship. Her ministry, Joni and Friends, equips churches to support people with disabilities in their congregations and neighborhoods. Joni and Friends also sends refurbished wheelchairs and other mobility devices, along with occupational therapists, to people with disabilities in need around the world. Now back to Lyla. She wanted to have Joni speak to a small group of potential volunteers and ministry partners about Joni and Friends. At River West we had already given her permission to hold the meeting, but she needed me to get the word out to some of my contacts at the church and elsewhere. Through the efforts of Lyla, myself, and several others, we had at least 30 people in attendance, many with disabilities, from all across the greater Portland/Vancouver area.
Based on attendance alone I would say the meeting was a smashing success, but those in the room would say the excitement was palpable. God is obviously moving in the realm of disability at our church and in our city. Just wait until you hear about my conversation with Joni Eareckson Tada…
Coming up on invaluableinvalid.com: I reveal my complete vision for bridging the gap to people with disabilities at River West and beyond. Also, did a brief conversation with Joni Eareckson Tada change everything? Tune in next time to find out!