Three In-Depth Papers in regard to Christian Involvement with People with Disabilities

In regard to our involvement with people with disabilities, there are things we can learn from the perspectives of non-Orthodox Christian scholars who have addressed these issues in some depth. Here are three papers for consideration.

To Access:

Virtuous suffering and the predicament of being handicapped. Towards a theology of the ‘disabled God puffing in a wheelchair’

Daniel J. Louw, a professor from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, discusses supplementing a theology of the cross in regard to people with disabilities with a theology of ability. He references St. Gregory the Theologian among others. 14 pp.

To Access:

The biblical view of humanity and the promotion of the rights of persons with disability

Dr. Peter White of the University of Pretoria, South Africa, discusses disability in the light of the Holy Scriptures, explores the basis of human rights in regard to persons with disabilities, and the Christian Church’s missionto persons with disability, which includes discipleship and advocacy. 9 pp.

Also, from the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization – Hidden and Forgotten People: Ministry Among People with Disabilities, 35 pp. See below:

Click to access LOP35B_IG6B.pdf

Children with Special Needs and the Orthodox Christian Family

From the Department of Christian Service on The Orthodox Church in America Website, by Father Steven Tsichlis. To access:

Children with Special Needs and the Orthodox Christian Family

As he went along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.  His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, for him to have been born blind?”  Jesus answered: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”   ~ John 9:1-3

Fr. Steven’s exhorts and encourages families with children that have disabilities to weather the storm with the aid of the Parish Church community and it’s spiritual father.

Also from Fr. Steven Peter Tsichlis: Why Are Priests Called Father In Your Church?

Fr. Steven, speaking at a Church Retreat at St. Barnabas Orthodox Church in Costa Mesa, California:

“The Lord’s Prayer: Praying & Living As the Lord Jesus Taught:”

 

The Explosive Child: A New Approach For Understanding And Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children

First, The book: 

About Dr. Greene: Dr. Ross W. Greene

Excerpt:

Ross W. Greene is an American clinical child psychologist and author of the books The Explosive Child, Lost at School, Lost & Found, and Raising Human Beings. Greene developed the model of intervention called Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS). He has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Greene is founding director of the non-profit Lives in the Balance, and developed and executive produced the documentary film, The Kids We Lose.  . . .

The CPS Website: Lives in the Balance: Fostering Collaboration – Transforming Lives – Inspiring Change

Dr. Greene’s Website: Dr. Ross Greene (and his four books) His You Tube Page: Dr.RossGreene

There are four more videos on Dr. Greene’s You Tube Page

International Orthodox Christian Charities Trains Refugees as Volunteer Healthcare Workers

To access the story:

International Orthodox Christian Charities Trains Refugees as Volunteer Healthcare Workers

Baltimore, MD (April 10, 2018) – International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), the humanitarian and development agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, has passed the eight-month mark in implementing services for people with disabilities in Azraq refugee camp, Jordan, along with healthcare education for other residents of the camp who are training to care for fellow refugees with vision and hearing needs. 

In addition to these basic services, IOCC’s Azraq project is training 10 refugees in community-based rehabilitation. This internationally recognized approach to supporting persons with disabilities promotes their involvement in their own care and integration into society. The method was initiated by the World Health Organization in 1978. To implement it in the Azraq camp, IOCC has collaborated with Al Hussein Society, a local nongovernmental organization that specializes in serving people with disabilities.

In parallel programming, IOCC has trained 45 additional volunteers in and around Amman, both Syrian refugees and Jordanians, in the fundamental tenets of screening and assessing visual and hearing impairments. These volunteers can now assist others through the project.  . . .

Not only are refugees with medical needs receiving treatment, but others also have an opportunity to help people with disabilities in the camp.

WebMD: Mental Health

To Access:

WebMD has 13 blogs, each of which is devoted to aspects of health. In addition, there is a pulldown menu which offers practical steps to take in caring for one’s health, including a way to subscribe. The Mental Health Blog focuses on the maintenance of mental health.

WebMD also has a You Tube page: 

You Tube: WebMD

It includes playlists related to mental health, such as Teens and Stress with Soledad O’Brien:

And PTSD with Soledad OBrien: