May 21, 2009
“Does disability and disease dominate our home? In a word, yes.” But…
John Knight responds to NPR’s interview with Karl Greenfeld.
They offer very different perspectives on the effect of disability on a household.
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© 2012 Abuyo. All rights reserved.
Wow, that BBC Disabilities Ministry has a fantastic blog. I had no idea. Thanks for the link. Oh, and I saw you over at ysmarko.com today. I’m a regular over his way too. Nice.
I agree with John–it was difficult reading Greenfeild’s interview.
One of my older brothers is disabled. I don’t think our family faced as many challenges as Greenfield’s–in many regards my brother is very “normal.” But, there was plenty of attention placed on him, and there was plenty of pain to handle (for me, the most painful memory was as a kindergartner watching my brother get beat up just because…?)
He’s living in a great Christian group home now–for which we all are grateful and blessed.
I have no resentment, and don’t recall ever feeling resentment. As a family, we knew my brother had special needs, and we stepped up and took care of him. It was very normal for us.
Thank you already for just entering this subject area! Now you’re talkin’ my language. Circles intersect. Eagerly going to the links now…
Thank you for these insightful links that help to reconcile the “ideal of normal” and how it works out in real life.
Wow, Greenfield’s honesty is something, and I would say there is value in hearing his honest evaluation.
Jon Knight’s response was also honest, yet what a difference! I’m thankful for his and his family’s example. His words are inspiring to me.
” And when I see my daughter making sure Paul is included, or when my 8-year-old son helps Paul find something without prompting, I think God is offering glimpses to me of what the future might look like.”
It is great when we see glimpses of God’s grace in our trials.
I praise Jesus for this article and the way it will affect my parenting.
Thank you Abraham for the introduction to BBC. I am stoked to connect with more who share my passion for the theology of disability! I’m in San Diego and learned of you through the Huerta’s. Cathi and I were each other’s maids of honor some 23 years ago long before we knew what our families would look like. God’s sovereignty and providence continues to bond us in spirit. I enjoy your truth and delivery.
Thank you for sharing this. I couldn’t have said it better than John did. We are not ashamed and we try but fail sometimes. But our God is sovereign and our God is so very good.