Does your church have a handicapped ministry?

[irishman]

There are many "fields" of service for us today, but in our area, the handicapped seem to be a forgotten people; they can be a trying bunch, but they are sweet and seem to be happy in their state (for the most part). I have learned a lot from the ministry we had where we picked up wheelchairs on the bus (Handicapped bus--made for strapping in wheelchairs). Does your church reach the "feeble minded" and the maimed?

[HappyChristian]

Our church has a Shepherd's ministry for the developmentally disabled. We divide them into two classes, by age. They are a great lot of fun. My hubby used to work with the older Shepherd's every week. Now he subs often in there and he really enjoys it.

As far as those in wheelchairs - we do have a number of people who are chairbound or use walkers. We don't have a special bus, but many of our members pick them up in cars or vans. The majority of those are in our Jolly 60's, but there are some younger.

We don't have a deaf ministry at this point, but want to in the future.

[Psalms18_28]

First rule of thumb, never consider them handicapped. Make it possible for them to be independent. And always remember they are adults, so don't be making decisions for them as if they are a child. I work in a nursing home for quite some times, It wasn't just for elderlys either, there were all sort of people.

Oh deaf people don't see themselves as disabled because they are not disable from each other. They are only disabled from the hearing people who don't know sign language and don't provide accomdation. You call them disabled, they will be offended.

Edited April 9, 2010 by Psalms18_28

[Psalms18_28]

Just a reminder: you really need to put yourself at their level Just like Christ did for us. Walking, talking, hearing, good memory, etc. doesn't make you more advanced than them. Sometimes we put them in that position of feeling handicapped. Think about it, we have stairs for us to accomdate ourselves, but no ramp for them. They can't move around that way.

Edited April 9, 2010 by Psalms18_28

[John81]

We are a small rural church and other than a couple of learning disabled children and older folks we don't have anyone here with "handicaps".

Some years back an elevator was installed for those who can't take the stairs. The LD children are placed in the "regular" Sunday school classes and youth groups where they are expected to do as best they can and then provided aid or assistance beyond that. In other words, they are treated like all others but given extra help where needed; which anyone who needs extra help gets it regardless of "handicap".

[Psalms18_28]

we really should ask the person what they prefer condition to be called because every person is different and it is not one size fit all. Instead of calling them handicap, they rather for people to know what it is. Like me, I am not hearing impaired nor I want to be called hearing impaired. Hearing impaired put me in a box of one size fit all, plus it shows people have very little interests in knowing who I am. I am deaf who grew up in a mainstreamed public school with hearing aids and speechreading as my form of communication. I don't know ASL, and I have cochlear implant. But when you refer to me, don't call me "that deaf girl" Call me by my name, and let me be the one to let people know that I am deaf. If they think I'm rude because I didn't hear them, then that's their prOBlem.

Edited April 10, 2010 by Psalms18_28

[irishman]

It has been my experience that that the handicapped feel awkward with us, as we often do with them. My class had not deaf (I know very little sign language) but they had visible, and OBvious handicaps--the kind teens stare at, and young children are afraid of. So...it has been my desire to see a (First time as far as I know) completely handicapped church all their own where they feel comfortable with their environment. It calls for a lot of special people who have a heart for such things; they would need to at least be willing to learn CPR and have some knowledge of the medicines each take. I was not involved in their "camp", but my friend was. They have a handicapped camp where everyone is equally treated. They can be a fun people, and very tenderhearted. So far I have not seen that church here, but hope to one day.