Let Your Faith Be Your Eyes

Ancient Faith: The 153 – In the Boat and on the Shore with the Antiochian Department of Missions and Evangelism

Frs. John Finley and Joseph Huneycutt offer audio glimpses of Antiochian parish life and the American mission field.

An eight minute interview of Alex Hordge, an Orthodox Christian, by Fr. Joseph. Alex is blind, but we will be enlightened by him! The eyes of our hearts, that is.

To access the interview:

Also from Ancient Faith:

Opening the Eyes of our Souls to the Light of the Resurrection: Homily for the Sunday of the Blind Man in the Orthodox Church

The Mighty: 5 Pieces of Advice for Anyone Recently Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder

Sinclair Ceasar III offers the benefit of his own experience of being diagnosed with Bipolar Order:

5 Pieces of Advice for Anyone Recently Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder

More from Sinclair Ceasar III: SinclairCeasar.com – Christian mental health speaker & writer & Sinclair Caesar on The Mighty 

The Bipolar Community and Conversation on the Mighty: The Mighty: Bipolar Disorder 

Also

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Three from Summer Kinard: Autism Homeschool Resources

Summer Kinard teaches her autistic children at home. She has a detailed plan, with many and various educational tools, which she lists in the following post, many of which with links to Amazon, where they may be purchased:

Autism Homeschool Resources – Fall 2017

Summer Kinard has been homeschooling for years, and in the following post has tips for those parents seeking to begin homeschooling their autistic children. She also notes the differences between autism homeschools and neurotypical homeschools: 

The 5 Differences of Autism Homeschools

Summer Kinard shares her ten top tips (+1) in regard to keeping neurodiverse homeschool children focused:

Finding Focus in a Neurodiverse Homeschool Day

What does “neurodiverse” mean? Neurodiversity: What You Need to Know

A Related Issue: Executive Function

Also

Child Neurology Foundation

The Child Neurological Foundation is a resource for children who have brain and nervous system dysfunction which affect their mental or physical health, or both. Seizures are one common symptom of these disorders. The Foundation guides families toward a diagnosis and a treatment of neurological conditions, and also provide guidance in regard to behavior management issues.

The Website of the Child Neurology Foundation:

Home

Also, little Reuben’s story:

Reuben

The Child Neurology Foundation You Tube Page (37 Videos): Child Neurology Foundation You Tube Page

Monika Jones- Together We Will Get Through This:

A Behavior Management Webinar:

 

 

 

Orthodoxy is a Large Tent…There is Room for All of Us, by Fr. Matthew

Father Matthew was visited by God during the Divine Liturgy and was told that his Presybtera would be having a daughter and that he was to name her “K.”

This post concerns our Orthodox Christian response to disabilities in our parish communities; Father Matthew’s God given daughter has one: Tourette’s Syndrome.

Father Matthew describes the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome, which usually include strong physical reactions to stimuli, such as shouting, which “K” has done during services. This can be a distraction for her fellow parishioners, who sometimes become upset and complain.

Father Matthew calls for understanding and charity for loud children as well as all those church members with special needs, and to support these children and their parents and families. He encourages us to show to compassion to all that are in need.

To access Father Matthew’s Post:

Orthodoxy is a Large Tent…There is Room for All of Us

Father Matthew and his family:

The Mighty: What It Feels Like to Live With Neuro-Fatigue, by Natalie Sayre

Natalie Sayre suffers from chronic lyme disease and chronic migraines. In this post she describes how her symptoms have moved past “brain fog.” There are no cures for it. Her life is a struggle. Aside from the healthful practice of plenty of sleep, she has found has found a “lifeline” and solace through the practice of mindfulness.

Mindfulness can be a helpful practice. Orthodox Christianity would also recommend the therapy of the Jesus Prayer – “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner” – or a shorter version of the same, or similar breath prayers, to find focus.  

This article previously appeared in Mindful Migraine, Natalie Sayre’s personal blog, in which she . . .

shares actionable insights on everyday wellness while living with chronic illness, and tools that will empower you to create calm inside of health chaos.

To access the post: The Mighty: What It Feels Like to Live With Neuro-Fatigue

Natalie and Will:

 

 

Summer Kinard: Parent Sticker Chart

From Summer Kinard: Words in Season – Autism*Church*Disabilities*Children’s Ministries*Homeschool

What is ABLEnow

ABLEnow accounts help individuals with disabilities save money to pay for qualified expenses, without being taxed on the earnings – and in most cases, without losing eligibility for certain means-tested benefit programs.

To access the website:

Orthodox Parables and Stories: Alexander and the Egg

“Alexander was born with a distorted body, he was a mildly autistic child. At the age of twelve he was still in primary school and seemed incapable of learning. His teacher made sure he was taken care of. She made sure with him not to dwell on what was on the curriculum to learn and to teach. She was a very good teacher, a true Christian. One day Alexander approached her and kissed her saying “I love you teacher”. Meanwhile spring had arrived and all the kids were excited about Easter coming …

The teacher gave each of the children a large plastic egg and told them, “I want you to take this home and bring it back tomorrow, but you have to put something in it that shows creativity and new life.”

The next morning twenty children came to school laughing and talking as they laid their eggs in the large basket on their teacher’s desks.

The time has come for the eggs to open. At first the teacher found a flower. “Yes, the flower is definitely a sign of new life,” the teacher said and continued saying “Well done Maria!” To the schoolgirl, who had raised her hand in the meantime stating that the egg was hers. The next egg contained a butterfly, which, however, appeared very lively. The teacher raised the egg high: “We all know that the caterpillar changes and ‘transforms’ into a beautiful butterfly. Indeed, this is a new life, too, “said the teacher.

Then the teacher opened the third egg. “Nothing” The egg was empty. It is definitely Alexander’s she thought. Of course he didn’t understand what he had to do at that time. Not wanting to embarrass him, she put the egg aside and started to take another egg. Suddenly Alexander was surprised. “Teacher, won’t you say anything about my egg?” Troubled, the teacher replied, “But, Alexander, your egg is empty!” He looked her in the eyes and said in a soft voice, “Yes teacher, but Christ’s grave was empty too.”

Time went by. The teacher tried to recover. A short time later she asks Alexander, “Do you know why the tomb was empty?” and he replied: “Yes, Christ was killed and put there, but then He was resurrected. Doesn’t that show  new life? “

The bell rang for the break and as the children raced to the school yard enthusiastically, the teacher hid her face and cried.

Three months later Alexander passed away. Those who attended his funeral saw with surprise on his casket … twenty eggs. Everything was empty. Like the tomb of our Christ that was empty, because … CHRIST IS RISEN!!! “

Source:

Orthodox Gladness: Orthodox Parables and Stories – Alexander and the Egg

Reflections of a Sunday School Teacher of Special Needs Students + Church of Scotland Learning Disabilities Conference

After relating a situation which illustrates the need for “helpers” to aim at empowering special needs students, Sue Sutton illustrates the gifts of a few of her students. In conclusion, she explains that empowerment is a key aspect of discipling, the mission which Jesus gave to the twelve apostles (and all Christian leaders, past, present, and future) after His resurrection.  She writes, 

Making disciples means empowering all people to use their gifts and to become active followers in the Kingdom of God. Disciple-making does not disqualify those who have limited cognitive ability or understanding. They too need the satisfaction of contributing to the world around them. Are we willing to receive?

To access:

EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES AT CHURCH, by Sue Sutton

Sue Sutton also wrote a book, available for purchase: Goodreads: Living Fulfilled Lives: Empowering People with Learning Disabilities

Other articles by Sue Sutton: More from Sue Sutton

Playlist of the Church of Scotland Learning Disabilities Conference, 2018 (a total of 9 videos), beginning with the first: 

(Also: Church of Scotland Learning Disabilities Action Pack)