The Spoon Theory and Orthodox Christian Worship

 

From a Post by Summer Kinard, an Orthodox Christian author and mother of autistic children. She is also autistic herself.

To Access the Post:

To Give All You Have: Virtue for Spoonies

What is the Spoon theory? Summer Kinard cites an article from the person who came up with the idea, Christina Miserandino, which offers a comprehensive picture of what it means. But I find the text size small, and for those who also find it so, I offer you another article, with larger text, explaining the Spoon Theory: WebMD: What Is the Spoon Theory? By Hope Cristol 

To sum up Summer Kinard’s post, Christians love involves consideration and patience with others- with specific attention to people with disabilities, some of which are evident, while some are invisible. The person looks “normal,” but we are called not to judge by appearances! This person has some personal obstacles to overcome, during Church services and in the rest of his life. 

You Tube Videos Explaining the Spoon Theory:

. . . written by and spoken by Christine Miserandino:

Bearing Disability: Which e-book app is best for Dyslexia

From the Shannon Weston‘s Blog Little Sea Bear: Where Creativity Storms On. Shannon is a proactive screenwriter, and has been engaged in “a

Derby Cathedral. Photo By Michael D Beckwith – Own work, CC0. From Wikipedia

collaborative radio project which has recently been produced and showcased at the University” of Derby in England, where she earned a Masters degree. She hopes to write for television as well. Shannon has dyslexia herself; she knows whereof she writes.

Shannon’s blog is multifaceted. There are three sections: one focused on a broad array of practical matters for people with disabilities (she also has cerebral palsy), one which is focused on her writings and writing in general and one addressing university life, including some advice she gives which she learned by her experiences. 

To access the article:

Bearing Disability: Which e-book app is best for Dyslexia

An earlier post by Shannon Weston addressing this issue:

Bearing Disability—A New Diagnosis: Dyslexia

The latest post addressing this issue:

Bearing Disability: ClaroRead Software for Dyslexia

Orthodoxy and Disability: The Conversation Continues, by Monica Spoor

From Orthodoxy in Dialogue:

Monica Spoor encourages Orthodox Christian Parishes (Priests, Parish Counsel members, etc.) to be creative in providing the kind of supports persons with disabilities need, not only to remove physical and emotional barriers, but also to be included and involved in the parish community. She also laments that in western societies the worth of people with disabilities [and abled as well] hinges on their ability to produce. She contends that both in society and the Church persons with disabilities are virtually counted as second class citizens, and the Church must lead the way in changing this.  

To access the article:

ORTHODOXY AND DISABILITY: THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES by Monica Spoor

Monica has also written a book: Spirituality on the Spectrum: having Autism in the Orthodox Church. Unfortunately, it is at this time out of print. But she has written an 8 page preview of the book:

Click to access 9789402162004.pdf

Angela Muir Van Etten . com

“A Voice for People with Dwarfism and Disability, Guided by Faith an Justice”

Here is a small sample of her posts:

Impact of Snow White’s Fictional Dwarfs on Actual Dwarfs

“If You Can Be Anything, Be Kind”

From her Category “God’s Protection”:

Disaster Averted

Angela is a dual citizen of New Zealand and the USA. She is also a lawyer. Here is her ABOUT Page:

About

Angela has also written two books:

“Dwarfs Don’t Live in Doll Houses”

“PASS ME YOUR SHOES: A Couple with Dwarfism Navigate Life’s Detours with Love and Faith (#2)”

If you sign up to follow her blog, she will send you a chapter from “Pass Me Your Shoes.”

The chapter: email_signup_incentive

You Tube: Angela on You Tube:

 

 

“Disability in the Orthodox Parish: A Call to Love,” by Charlotte Riggle

From the Website Orthodoxy in Dialogue:

Charlotte has children with multiple disabilities, and she brought them to Church. But, she sadly explains, as adults, they have not continued in the Church. They didn’t feel loved. She goes on to ask several hard questions about the kind of issues that, if not addressed by the Orthodox Christian people in the parish, alienate persons with disabilities; they involve attitude and practical action. Her strong challenge comes from experience.

To Access the article:

DISABILITY IN THE ORTHODOX PARISH: A CALL TO LOVE by Charlotte Riggle