There is a lot to be learned from the community of Vedder Terrace in Chilliwack, British Columbia… The members whom I met shared a lot about their lives. They told me about the community events which they enjoy at the clubhouse, shared community meals three times per week, movie nights and other events that people who do not live at Vedder Terrace can take part in. … Read More →
After several years of teaching Kim and her friends, Jill-who is also a special education teacher-began to plan a special needs curriculum series. We saw the need for a robust Bible curriculum, and Jill firmly believed we could create a complete Bible curriculum that involved real Bible study. … Read More →
“When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’“ (John 5:6, NIV)
This is a curious question that Jesus poses to the man at the pool of Bethesda. Isn’t it obvious? Jesus invites the man to express his own agency. Too often, things are done to and for people with disabilities without asking “is this what you want?”
God, help us to stop and ask “Is this what you want?” Even when we believe that it is “for the best” or what needs to be done, may we never presume to remove the agency of another.