From the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Website:
Presvytera Melanie DiStefano discusses her family’s long term social distancing needs, made necessary by her son Michael ‘s autism. They were lonely times for her. But the trial has born fruit in terms of Michael’s spiritual growth.
The Center for Family Care on the Archdiocese Website has also recently introduced a new ministry which focuses on Special Needs, which shares stories and insights helpful to people with disabilities and their families, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and those designated to assist them in their areas of need: Fully Human: The Special Call of Special Needs
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America also has a You Tube page. Here is their You Tube Playlist Page: GreekOrthodoxChurch: Playlists
One can learn a lot about the Orthodox Church and her members from these videos. One of the Playlists is entitled: Comfort Food for Families: Reflections on Coronavirus:
The St. Nicholas Program is designed for families with children with disabilities of ANY age to spend time together in an Orthodox Family Environment. The campers are introduced to camp life at All Saints Camp and the parents are given the opportunity to meet fellow Orthodox parents who are tackling the same challenges in today’s world. We hope that SNP provides families with a welcoming environment to get away together and enjoy time in God’s creation.
The Schedule:Sensory friendly Daily prayer services, modified learning church school lessons, family workshops and discussions, family sports, crafts, singing, dancing, bon fires, hayrides, scavenger hunts, and swimming, just to mention a few of the activities.
Family Angels!
Each family will be assigned a St. Nick’s Angel. Your angel will become a part of your family for the duration of the program, providing aid in any way needed.
All aspects of the program are designed to give people with disabilities an optimal experience. Our staff is a mix of professional trained and hired staff. However, our non-professional staff is required to complete specialty training for working with individuals with disabilities.
Because of the camp’s rustic environment and natural setting individuals who transport themselves with the assistance of wheelchairs, crutches or walkers may need consultation for participation in the full four-day program. If the full four-day program is not an option, we are pleased to offer one-day programming. Please contact us if you are considering the one day program during which movement about the camp is more limited and accessible to those with physical challenges.
Please feel free to contact our Executive Staff with questions or concerns.
Once an application is received one of our executive or medical staff will contact you to conduct an intake assessment to ensure we can accommodate the needs of your family to the best of our ability.
Families may wish to discuss the possibility of also attending one of our other camping programs Diocesan Church School Camp or Teenage Conference. Please contact us about these possibilities.
For youth younger than nine years of age, we offer our Mommy & Me/Daddy & Me program which is also capable of accommodating families with children with disabilities.
In addition to the 7 Best Practices, this Post provides a highly detailed list of educational resources for the children with disabilities. Summer Kinard has autistic children, and is also on the autism spectrum herself.
This webinar was presented at the St. Raphael School Ancient Faith Speaker Series in January of 2020. The slide presentation (45 slides) is available on website.
Bill Gaventa has been for some time a leading figure in the USA in the exploration of how to respond to disability in a spiritual way. He is a Christian pastor. This presentation is in-depth, 2 hours and 11 minutes long, given at Boston College in Massachusetts. If you choose to listen to it or even to read the transcript, you will learn a lot. The presentation on You Tube:
“Our children can do amazing things! My children are my world. They mean everything to me.”
11 year old Calli: “. . . She has the biggest heart when it comes to helping other children. . . .”
8 year old Montana:“. . . She’s a tomboy! She loves playing in the dirt, working on cars and fishing. . . .”
5 year old Skye:“. . . He is your typical boy; he loves to play in the dirt, muddy water and climb anything and everything. . . .”(Read this: How Playing in Dirt Boosts Your Health)
Panelists will offer their personal and professional lessons learned in a discussion of what healthy independence might look like in families with disabilities, including: the importance of helping each person grow more independent, with attention to their unique gifts and developmental trajectory, advice for keeping expectations for independence realistic and hopeful, and suggestions for practical communication and physical supports.
Moderator: Presvytera Melanie DiStefano -Resource Developer for the GOA Center for Family Care
Panelist: Summer Kinard, M.Div., Th.M., – Autistic Orthodox Christian author
Panelist: Annie V. Konidaris – Co-author of the book and CD “Sing Along with Thea Annie”
Here’s a story of a double amputee named Armin Kohli, from Switzerland, who rode his bicycle 4800 kilometers (3000 miles) to raise awareness concerning the danger of landmines. He cycled through 14 countries for 48 days, finishing at the banks of the Dead Sea in mid-November.
An excerpt of the article concerning the victims of landmines:
“According to the latest landmine monitor report from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), released last week, nearly 30 per cent of the 5,751 victims of landmines in 2006 were children. Three-quarters of all victims were civilians.“
Kohli is quoted as saying,
“Being disabled does not mean [landmine victims] cannot a have a normal life, they just need to receive proper assistance. Governments must reach out to the victims and support them.”
Four articles addressing landmines and disability:
IOCC funds clinics in Ethiopia which addresses a tropical disease prevalent in this country – Podoconiosis – which results in physical disability – being unable to walk. There are treatments for those who suffer with “Podo” which have helped those afflicted with it to resume the lives they led before developing the disease. Also, shoes are provided which prevent Podo. Here are some stories about people whom IOCC has helped to beat Podo”
Summer Kinard has autistic children, and is also on the autism spectrum herself. 
Kohli is quoted as saying, 
