Comments on: When Less is More: Finding Inspiration in Severe Disability

By: Gretchen P

Gretchen P — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:50:56 +0000

I have a severely handicapped son as well. It is true that I am much less selfish and shallow about many things.

Our 4 other children are learning valuable life lessons as well. I’ve embarked on a new path of helping to create a non-profit organization for my son’s rare syndrome (www.pkskids.net). I bring hope to other families.

God always knows what He is doing, even when we can’t see it. I wouldn’t take Simon’s disability away for anything—-he is a SAINT. He is pure and innocent. He will never do drugs and OD or rape someone or drive a car into a tree. I say that because you take away one set of circumstances and another is waiting there to take its place.

I love my guy so much. Meet him at http://www.simonpeters.org

Thanks for sharing the above.

Gretchen

By: A Life Beyond Reason | Conversion Diary

A Life Beyond Reason | Conversion Diary — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 03:46:10 +0000

[...] Finding inspiration in severe disability (an interview that echoes many of Professor Gabbard’s sentiments) [...]

By: sunnyday

sunnyday — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:01:02 +0000

Reading this was such a blessing to me. Thank you for sharing it, Jennifer. I think about the difficulties I experience daily from living with a special sister, but when I read about people who meet even more difficult challenges head-on and maintain such a positive and supernatural attitude, it becomes clear that my problems are quite shallow compared to these people.

Sunni's parents are so inspiring. Thank you for the reminder that everything happens for a reason and that we only have to make the best of it

Diana

By: Renee P

Renee P — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 05:02:35 +0000

Joni Eareckson Tada, a well known Christian writer, artist, and speaker, was very honest about her initial reaction to her devastating disability (a diving injury left her quadriplegic). She was angry at God, confused that he allowed her to bear such an overwhelming burden, and if I remember correctly, she wished, at times, to die.

She has been very open about this as she speaks about her injury. But she also speaks about all the unexpected treasures her injury has brought her. Today she says that she wouldn't trade her injury for physical "wholeness" because she would lose the true beauty and spiritual wholeness gifted to her out of her burden. Mind you, she's not saying that she would spurn any ethical medical or technological advances that could help her. Her testimony is that her cross has been her passport to a true walk with Jesus Christ. It has been her terrible, wonderful gift.

Joni's ministry has touched countless lives in both spiritual and practical ways. She is a living example of the loveliness and dignity of life--ALL human life.

I think that each one of you who have children with special needs or disabilities are like open books, written with love. Your children are like pure flames of God's mercy and grace. They illuminate the pages of your life, all the struggles, tears, and the victories, so that a lost and unbelieving world can witness the true love of Christ manifest on earth.

As Christians, we know that medical diagnoses should not determine who is considered human.
The condition of our bodies does not have anything to do with our 'being', our souls. The idea that the intellect, or the brain matter we have, is the litmus test for our being is patently false. There have been medically documented cases of people who have had severe brain injury or deformity who have functioned at very high levels despite this handicap. (For more information about this, read INTELLIGENT DESIGN by W.Dembski)
I bring this up because in cases of anencephaly doctors can only state what is physically missing from the brain. Actually, we can't really know what an anencephalic baby experiencing, because there is obviously a component to our "me-ness" that goes far beyond our physical condition. Only Christians completely affirm the dignity and "me-ness" of every individual, regardless of outward appearances. Faith Hope's mom is a shining example of that affirmation.

As for the trolls who can be so cruel, they remind me of the demons in THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS. At the bottom of all their vitriol and callousness is the truth that torments them eternally: they freely chose to turn away from the Author of Life, which leaves them poised over the abyss of despair and nothingness. Witnessing intentional sacrificial love in the form of a mother or father is like pouring acid into their eyes.

Atheists and those whose worldview is defined by natural materialism (matter is all there is, all processes, events, and things can only be reduced to matter)go ballistic because stories like Faith Hope's kick their theories right out the window. Rather than actually examine this phenomenon, they divert attention from their dilemma by heaping disdain and making a scene. Their paradigms are too poor to accommodate the realities brought to light by agape love or the fullness of Christian faith. They kick and scream because it takes away their "Precious", just like Gollum in the LORD OF THE RINGS.

They are to be pitied and prayed for.

By: Peter and Nancy

Peter and Nancy — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:01:21 +0000

Thank you, thank you for sharing your story. You are being wonderful, authentic witnesses for the value God places on each one of us. I especially appreciate you not sugar-coating your daily experiences. We need to be truthful about the difficult parts of life with each other — you're helping make other Christians feel "safe" about sharing real life without over-spiritualizing.

God bless you as you walk through life with your daughters!
– Nancy

By: JohnTBissell

JohnTBissell — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:12:33 +0000

that kind of Love and shared experience of Love can only flow from the Life of the Trinity. Thanks

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:42:38 +0000

Jennifer,
Thank you for this inspiring interview. As a parent of a severely special needs child myself, I appreciated the Berger's honesty and candor. These children are a true gift from God sent to teach us how to love and be loved in the purest form. We will keep them in our prayers.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:56:11 +0000

Hello!
I am a Special Education teacher. I have been teaching for 8 years now. I have had the pleasure of teaching wonderful children (from elementary to middle school level). I am now specializing in kiddos with Autism but I used to teach children with many different kinds of disabilities. I have loved each and every child I have had in my classroom and still remember each one of them. The lessons they have taught me cannot be measured in any way. As I was reading the answers of the parents, I completely agree with them. These children have been placed here in our lives to teach us to love and be happy every day we are healthy. I send a hug to these parents for being so strong and educating people to be more sensitive towards others needs.

Maria

By: elissa

elissa — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:04:45 +0000

Wow. That's all I can say, wow.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:33:56 +0000

Wonderful post. Thank you so much.

Just for the record, there are several conservative Lutheran synods which have taken strong pro-life stands. You can check out the Wisconsin Synod's position here, http://www.christianliferesources.com/?/library/view.php&articleid=935