You Tube: Cystic fibrosis activist dies aged 21

Charlotte Riggle: 14 picture books with disabled characters

Charlotte Riggle writes,

How many picture books have disabled characters?The Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin – Madison analyzes the children’s books that publishers send them every year. Last year, they received 698 picture books. Just two of them – TWO out of 698 – had main characters who had disabilities.

To access the post:

14 picture books with disabled characters

If children would find disabled people in their books, when they meet disabled people in person, they won’t find them strange; they will not hesitate to approach and talk to them. And play with them.

Charlotte Riggle, in her post, reviews 14 such books.

Resources for books including disabled children: A Mighty Girl: People with Disabilities

& 

Disability in Kid Lit

aTo access:

Honor Roll

s

 

‘Death with dignity’ Collapses under Scrutiny

John Kelly’s letter to the editor of the Berkshire Eagle, written in response to an editorial in support of, and the advocacy of certain senators in the Massachusetts legislature, which was published in that publication: Case for ‘death with dignity’ Collapses under Scrutiny

John Kelly is the director of Second Thoughts: Massachusetts: Disability Rights Activists Against Assisted Suicide

But supporters of assisted suicide continue to push for Massachusetts to pass a law legalizing it.

MA Resurrects Assisted Suicide Bill

See also:

Foes of Massachusetts assisted-suicide bill warn of ramifications

BioEdge: American Medical Association sticks to a policy of opposing assisted suicide

Disability Rights Toolkit for Advocacy Against Legalization of Assisted Suicide

You Tube – Mental Illness

Erik Carter | Belonging – The Church & Disabilities

Arise, Take up Thy Bed and Walk: Our Ministry to Those with Special Needs

Our Ministry to Those with Special Needs by his Grace Bishop THOMAS (Joseph), Peter Schweitzer and Subdeacon David Hyatt

To access a brief introduction the article: 

Arise, Take up Thy Bed and Walk: Our Ministry to Those with Special Needs

This is a brief introduction to to the Diocese of Oakland, Charleston and the Mid-Atlantic, led by His Grace Bishop Thomas. This is a diocese of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. In light of the facts that 54 Americans have physical, sensory, or mental disabilities, and 15% of the world’s people special needs because of their disabilities, we as the Body of Christ have a calling to make our parishes accessible to those of the faithful who have special needs, that they too may pray, learn and serve within our parishes. And in this way we will be prepared for those with special needs who come and see, and desire to enter the Church, the ark of salvation.

The presence of affliction, disability, and suffering in our midst is a providential reminder to all concerning our need for salvation and a deep, intimate relationship with the triune God Who is always ready to come to our aid. It is precisely in this state that we encounter our salvation.

The full article is 16 pages.

Read and download the full article.

PDF document 

article_-_arise_take_up_thy_bed_and_walk_1

Friendship Circle: 20 Things Every Parent of a Child with Special Needs Can Be Thankful For

Giving thanks isn’t for just the holiday of Thanksgiving.  Terri Mauro injects some humor into the challenging lives of special needs parents: 

To access:

20 Things Every Parent of a Child with Special Needs Can Be Thankful For

Think about it, though; giving thanks in these 20 situations is a great illustration of these words of St. Paul the Apostle:

¹⁶ Rejoice always, 

¹⁷ pray without ceasing, 

¹⁸ in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version® (NKJV) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.