Breaking Barriers Issue 102 - Summer 2014
In this issue we explore ways chronic pain affects individuals and how churches might respond.
Everybody belongs. Everybody serves.
In this issue we explore ways chronic pain affects individuals and how churches might respond.
These are the Disability Emphasis Week devotionals (volume 2) by special education teacher Barbara Newman.
These are the Disability Emphasis Week devotionals (volume 1) by special education teacher Barbara Newman.
This hymn was commissioned for a national conference on disabilities hosted by Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. Presbyterians for Disability Concerns has posted it on their website. This hymn was included in the United Church of Canada’s hymnal supplement, More Voices.
The 5 Stages is a simple tool for describing the journey of disability attitudes experienced by people in relationship with others who have disabilities.
This print resource was first produced 20 years ago. Disability Concerns has been using it ever since then, because it provides so much helpful information and practical ideas—not just for including people in worship—but in all of church life.
The Lord calls us as his covenant people to care for each other. We who belong to Christ must answer his call to serve each other in his name...
A number of Bible texts to help you with sermons or meditations on disabilities.
Based on Genesis 1:26-28, a great children's message about being created in the image of God.
What makes a human life worth living? Productivity – how much someone is accomplishing in life? The value of every single human comes from what she/he is: a creature made in God's image.
"Sunshine from Darkness" was produced by Pathways to Promise and Disability Concerns. This one-page insert is available in two versions which list United States and Canadian resources.
The National Empowerment Center maintains a list of consumer-run organizations that encompass the entire state or large parts of states. These organizations can be contacted for consumer support groups or programs in their respective states.
May is Mental Illness Awarness Month in the US. Consider this infographic that clearly and succinctly portrays basic facts about the prevalence of mental illness.
We would never say “It’s your kid, do the appendectomy at home.” Or “Your parents will have to deal with that gunshot wound.” But this is the system of care we have in place for people with severe disabilities. Why?
Some senior civil servants and political leaders in Canada are concerned that legal and political pressure for legalization of euthanasia will increase in the coming years. The church can provide ethical leadership...
When we begin to examine the wide range of ways that society privileges some people over others, we can begin to combat our own prejudices and move closer toward being the agents of reconciliation our Lord calls us to be.
The national attention on the suicide of Rick and Kay Warren's son Matthew brought mental health issues into the spotlight for Christians. Speakers include Rick and Kay Warren, Bishop Kevin Vann, Amy Simpson, John Townsend, and many others.
This issue explores how summer camps welcome and engage campers with disabilities.
Kathleen Deyer Bolduc invites readers to join her on a spiritual journey that begins with the shattering pain of asking questions that cannot be answered and continues toward new creation and new community.
Faith and community leaders can play a significant role in helping to educate individuals and families about mental health. These talking points can help faith leaders develop messages for their congregations and communities about the importance of mental health.
People with autism seem to be wrapped up in their own little world. Yet, Higashida breaks that stereotype in his book. He is keenly aware of his environment, other people, and his effect on others. Higashida feels deeply when his behavior hurts others, or when he behaves in ways that others misconstrue.
The author of this article, Carol Levine, had been caring for her disabled husband for 17 years when she wrote this article. She polled fellow caregivers and condensed the results to these 10 items not to say to someone who provides long-term care to a loved one.
The "National Behavioral Health Barometer" (Barometer) provides data about key indicators of behavioral health problems including rates of serious mental illness, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, underage drinking, and the percentages of those who seek treatment for these disorders.
If it is true that people are excluded from church for social- skill reasons, what changes might be instituted within the social environment that would benefit not only persons with disabilities but the larger population as well? What “social ramp” would cause more people to have access and find social acceptance?
In this issue we explore how churches have welcomed, supported, and engaged people who live with mental health issues.