SBSK: “Normalizing the Diversity of the Human Condition.”

 *SBSK* More and more, I’m discovering that stories hit home, while mere information is often just deposited in the head. This website is not a Church site, but the stories that are told show forth how all people are made in the image of God. As descriptive words go, the word “special” has used up it’s shelf life in regard to people with disabilities; what is desired is not to be seen as special, but as a person like everyone else. While the title of this organization does begin the focus on the special, the home page reveals that the actual goal is to see everyone as normal (normalization)! For Orthodox Christians, to acknowledge that despite the great variety of peoples in the world, all are made in the image of God.

And while Orthodox Christians cannot affirm that all lifestyles are normal as the folks at SBSK are willing to do, we are committed to refraining from passing judgement on any person, as that is for the all-wise Lord to do at the proper time which He will choose. We are all in process. 

And these short video stories illustrate the value of people of disabilities who are also in process.

To access:

Special Books by Special Kids

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From the Ministry of St. Elizabeth Convent in Belarus

To access website:

Ministry of St.Elisabeth Convent: Children with special needs make icons of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco

Children from the boarding school for children with special needs and the convent’s studio “Anyolak” prepared an exhibition of drawings “A gift to St. John” devoted to the feast day of St. John of Shanghai San Francisco.  

From The Catalog of Good Deeds posted by Nun Elena (Strashinova) July, 2017 St. Elisabeth Convent

 

 

 

The Worthwhile Lives of Persons with a Disability (disabilities)

The website:

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Live On!

This is a disability website celebrating life. Even with all the challenges people with disabilities face. A happy, fulfilling, . . . . incredible life. 

No matter what some narrow-minded people in our society think.

The creators of this web page, who are disabled themselves, are up front about the more difficult challenges: the bullying of young people, the institutionalization of adults. Their goal is to reach those who are discouraged, despondent, even despairing, and those with suicidal thoughts through a series of short, powerful videos in which persons with a disabilities overcome their obstacles and establish a meaningful life. Valuable resources are also provided toward this goal.

A photographer of note:

River Bend Galleries

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Pertinent posts from the Not Dead Yet website: 

Disabililty Rights Organizations Issue Statement Opposing Assisted Suicide Laws and Supporting Health Care

Statement of Solidarity in Observance of Suicide Prevention Month

Disability Rights Toolkit for Advocacy Against the Legalization of Assisted Suicide

“We Are All Children of God:” October 14, 2017 at Kansasville, Wisconsin

Mark your calendars. To enroll: (ENTRY FORM)

From the Greek Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of America’s website: Families with Children with Special Needs Resource List

To Access: 

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Families of Children with Special Needs Resources

Orthodox Christian Resources: Internet Sources, Books and Downloads, Articles, and Videos

Non-Orthodox and Secular Resources: Internet and Books

Scenes of Greek Orthodox Christianity:

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Wedding in Tripodes, Naxos, Greece

The Holy Gospel Book

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Elkins Park, PA (left)

Archbishop Iakovos marches with Martin Luther King (below)

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Merciful Judge

Live on! (and on and on . . .)

Here’s a website meant to address the discouragement that  can  come with the struggle to live with a disability. Of course as Orthodox Christians we believe that genuine, meaningful, and everlasting life is found in God, and in the Body of Christ, the Temple of the Holy Spirit, the Church, as children of our heavenly Father. During our time on earth we rub shoulders with everybody, whether within or without the Church. Some will be helpful, and some not. This site seeks to help people with disability who feel lost in this world, which, of course, is a good and loving goal. 

So give it a look:

The Live On Movement

Note – (A generous translation of Disability Pride: Disability Self-Respect) See Self-esteem versus Self-respect

Please submit your stories for publication in the upcoming book, “Enter His Gates: Theosis for Families With Special Needs (A Practical Theology of Disability)

Authors Summer Kinard, M.Div., Th.M.  (Tea & Crumples, Hands-On Sunday School)  and Charlotte Riggle (Catherine’s Pascha), are gathering stories from Orthodox Christian families, priests, and ministry leaders about their experience of welcome for children and adults with special needs. They are writing with the blessings of their priests and are in good standing in their local Orthodox parishes. Their forthcoming book, Enter His Gates: Theosis for Families With Special Needs (A Practical Theology of Disability), focuses on welcoming children and families with autism, developmental and learning disabilities, and physical disabilities into the fullness of life in the Orthodox Church. We want to hear from parents, adults with autism, priests and presbyteras/matushkas/kourias, and camp and ministry leaders in every Orthodox jurisdiction about your experiences of welcome in the Orthodox Church.

They will not sell your data to anyone or quote you without permission. The stories we collect might be featured in the book, though you can select the level of acknowledgement or anonymity that you prefer. 

To Access their Survey:

A Short Survey for those submitting stories for the book “Enter His Gates: Theosis for Families With Special Needs (A Practical Theology of Disability)

Here’s Summer Kinard’s Blog disability resource page: 

Special Needs Resources | Summer Kinard