Breaking Barriers Fall 2020

Traveling with a disability can be challenging, if not difficult, and the memories of those adventures can be instructive, hurtful, hilarious, and more. People with various disabilities share some of their experiences in this issue.

A Preaching, Traveling Quadriplegic 

by Joel Vander Molen, Second CRC, Pella IA

Traveling when you depend on a ventilator to breath means that there is a great deal of planning that is required for travel. Caregivers are also a part of the travel plans, which means considerable scheduling to coordinate plans. However, in spite of the many details that went into the  planning process, how wonderful that Pastor Joel had the opportunity to share God's word with communities outside of his own city.

Lovely Cruise, Sprinkled with Disappointment

by Syl Scorza, Trinity Reformed Church, Orange City, IA

Syl and his wife embarked on an exciting cruise to see many famous historical locations globally. While some locations could accommodate his limited mobility, others, sadly, have not addressed the important issue of creating accessible cities. Regardless, Syd encourages all those in the disability community to consider traveling and experiencing new places if you can!

The Challenges of Motion Sickness

by Michèle Gyselinck, First CRC, Montreal, QB

Traveling has its challenges for Michele as she deals with significant motion sickness. She is limited as to what medications she can take for this due to the regular regime of medication she is on to manager her disability. Yet, in spite of all this, she perseveres and explores new places and has new experiences in life outside of the city she calls home.

Traveling Blind

by Tom Vos, Crossroads Fellowship CRC, Des Moines, IA

Living with blindness means relying on the support of others to guide you through life at times. Traveling is one of those times. When you are navigating environments such as airports that are unfamiliar to you, the assistance of others is very helpful. A community of support can help make traveling more successful.

Editor's Note: Planning, Patience, Flexibility

by Mark Stephenson, Director of Disability Concerns, CRCNA

Mark shares about his family trips and the planning that was involved in order to make sure that his daughter who lives with multiple disabilities was properly cared for and accommodated so that all family members could participate in the vacation. While it can often mean a great deal more time is invested in orchestrating adventures, what a blessing it can be to see other parts of our world.

Next Issues: 

Winter 2021—Unexpected access.

The coronavirus pandemic actually has removed barriers for some people with disabilities, allowing access to communities and spaces that were inaccessible before. 

Spring 2021—Race and disability.

Among others, Daniel Prude and Walter Wallace Jr. might still be alive if they had not been black or disabled. If you are Black, Indigenous, or a person of color and live with a disability, please tell us your story (400 words) by January 29, 2021.

Awards and Past Issues

You can find this issue in a variety of alternative formats (print-friendly layout, large print, audio) attached below.

In addition, find back issues of Breaking Barriers and editions in Español and in 한국어, plus a link for electronic subscriptions, at either the CRC website (www.crcna.org/disability) or RCA website (www.rca.org/disability).

This newsletter and the Disability Concerns blog (network.crcna.org/disability), co-published by CRC and RCA Disability Concerns ministries, received two Best in Class awards of merit from the Associated Church Press this year: for Breaking Barriers (newsletter category) and for Disability Concerns on the Network (blog category).