AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Aug. 12, 2010 – Because it is a topic that no one seems to want to talk about, studies in the area of disability and suffering have long been neglected in academia.  However, Joni and Friends Christian Institute on Disability (CID) has set out to change that, and is succeeding in creating a movement in this field.

“We just completed our largest course yet, called ‘Beyond Suffering,’ and are looking at expanding to two summer sessions next year,” said course instructor and CID Managing Director Steve Bundy.

“Our goal is to transform the view many Christians have about disability ministry,” Bundy continues. “We’re finding a hunger among the students, as well as leaders, to understand God’s plan for suffering, which is creating a grass-roots disability ministry movement around the world. This year alone we’ve led courses in seven countries.”

Held for the third year at the Joni and Friends International Disability Center headquarters in Southern California, this summer’s course was attended by 53 students representing 16 states and four countries. The class size overflowed the facility’s training space, prompting the discussion about a second offering of the course next year.

The 32-hour course was taught by the Rev. Steve Bundy, Dr. Jeff McNair, Dr. Kathy McReynolds and the Rev. James Rene and included: 1) Overview of Disability Ministry, 2) Theology of Suffering and Disability, 3) The Church and Disability Ministry, and 4) Introduction to Bioethics. Students who complete the assignments and practicum receive a Certification in Disability Ministry from the CID.

In addition to the annual summer offering of the course at Joni and Friends, the CID has partnered with several universities and seminaries in developing curricula for similar courses around the country, including Biola and Liberty Universities and Dallas Theological Seminary. In 2011, “Beyond Suffering: Christian Views on Disability Ministry” will be offered by several Joni and Friends area offices and eventually, on-line.

Joni and Friends International Disability Center serves the disability community through a wide array of life-affirming ministries to people with disabilities around the world, including international radio and television programs featuring inspirational stories.  Wheels for the World enables thousands of individuals to receive wheelchairs and the life-giving message of the Gospel. Every year families affected by disability learn that they are not alone when they attend Family Retreats across the U.S. and around the world. The Joni and Friends Christian Institute on Disability equips the Christian community to engage in bioethics and value of life issues. More information can be found online at the ministry’s new website, www.joniandfriends.org.

I have had my share of complaining about MRIs and how difficult they are for someone with rheumatoid arthritis or other chronic pain. Getting positioned on those–well–what I call “two by fours” — to go into the tube is not easy and quite uncomfortable. But today I read Joni’s post and had quite a new perspective.

Bless you for praying for me yesterday as I underwent an MRI — it’s not easy getting me and my bulky wheelchair into one of those diagnostic trailer-trucks in the hospital parking lot, but we did it (and I didn’t experience a minute of claustrophobia)! The tests went well, but please pray for the two MRI technicians to whom we gave Joni books — as we drove home, we kept praying for all the many people we’re meeting on this new mission field. It was a long day, but an encouraging one.

You can read more encouraging like this from her each day at her blog Joni’s Corner on the Joni and Friend’s web site.

She is also on Facebook, under Joni and Friends on Facebook! I know that she has received an overwhelming amount of mail via the post office, but she is reading the comments on her Facebook page rather quickly, so feel free to offer her your love and support and prayers here too.

The Christian Examiner article “Joni Eareckson Tada gets ‘positive prognosis’ after surgery” quoted her as saying, “I’ve often said that our afflictions come from the hand of our all-wise and sovereign God, who loves us and wants what is best for us,” Tada said several days prior to the surgery. “So, although cancer is something new, I am content to receive from God whatever He deems fit for me. Yes, it’s alarming, but rest assured that Ken [her husband] and I are utterly convinced that God is going to use this to stretch our faith, brighten our hope and strengthen our witness to others.”

I know she is an inspiration to many of us, and I realize her blog shares all the ways God is using her as well as the cancer. But. . . friends. . . you and I know that even when we see God at work, and even when we know He has a purpose, there are those dark moments of the night when we shed our tears. She is human and needs our loving prayers around her too.

Lisa

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By Georgia Shaffer

Sara sat looking totally overwhelmed. At the age of thirty-five, she had learned she had breast cancer. “I feel like I just got hit by a Mack truck,” Sara said.

As a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania and a cancer survivor who, 18 years ago, was given a 2 percent chance to be alive in 10 years, I know from personal experience cancer patients confront many challenges that we as counselors need to understand. The shock of the initial diagnosis is only one of the issues they face.

Challenge #1: Making Wise Choices When My Head’s Still Spinning

In spite of numbness and disbelief, within a short time Sara had to share her diagnosis with family and friends, grasp the latest research for her type of cancer, decide on her medical team, choose the treatment plan, and draw up legal documents such as a living will and a power of attorney.

It is during this emotionally draining time, people like Sara need someone to calmly (a non-anxious presence) help them sort through all they’re experiencing and to decide “what is it I need to deal with right now? What is the next step for me?” Encouraging clients to create a notebook or file system where they can manage all their medical information is another way to help them focus at a time when life seems out of control.

Challenge #2: Realizing the Relational Impact that Comes with Cancer

“Now that I have cancer, I don’t understand why some of my friends aren’t talking to me. Are they worried they will get it, too?” Sara asked.

Unfortunately, it isn’t unusual for people to avoid or distance themselves from those suffering. And many times those family and friends who don’t pull away ‘aren’t there’ in the way the cancer patient desires.

While some patients may be tempted to let their pain or unmet expectations isolate them, cancer needs a community of people. Some research has shown that those who participate in a support group can improve their quality of life and their survival rate.

Sara was able to find a faith-based support group that reminded her she wasn’t alone and provided a safe place to share how she really felt.

Challenge #3: Finding the Peace of God

“I’m so angry with God right now,” Sara said. “I’m embarrassed to be in church.”

Some people respond with anger and doubt as they wrestle with many unanswered questions. For others, the diagnosis of cancer drives them straight to the arms of God. They report experiencing God in a powerful, intimate way.

It’s important to allow our clients to work through all their feelings as they seek the peace that passes all understanding-a process for which there is no time frame. As one wise Christian friend reminded someone struggling with their faith, “You’re not losing your faith, you’re living it.”

Challenge #4: Being Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

Being bald and weak with new symptoms popping up every few days can get old pretty quickly. The effects of the cancer treatments can be insidious. It isn’t one bad week that slowly erodes our physical, emotional and mental resources as much as it is month after month of dealing with the illness and other issues such as hassles with the insurance companies.

Sara needed her counselor to walk beside her during this desert experience as she grieved over the loss of things like her hair and her lifestyle. And she needed to be reminded that with God’s help she could not only “go” through this but she could “grow” through it as well.

Challenge #5: Understanding the End of Treatments is Not All Good

With the realization she would no longer be seeing the doctors or nurses each week and actively fighting the cancer with medical procedures, Sara discovered the emotions she had ignored while in survival mode now screamed for attention.

It’s usually at this point in the battle with cancer that people are more prone to anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts. They realize their life has forever changed. It’s also during this time that family, friends and co-workers begin to withdraw-no longer actively reaching out with calls, meals or support. As counselors, we need to remember that for the cancer survivors the end of treatment can mark the beginning of some real emotional struggles.

Challenge #6: Living with Uncertainty

What if they didn’t get it all? What if the cancer comes back? What if I’m too weak to work and support myself? These were just a few of the fears that haunted Sara each day.

Helping our clients consider how they will manage or what they will do if the cancer returns can actually empower them. When I was told I had a slim chance of seeing my then nine-year-old son graduate from high school I prayed for the best but I planned for the worst.

Challenge #7: Rebuilding while Redefining Normal

“I want my normal life back again but my whole world has changed,” Sara said.

Cancer survivors, regardless of the amount of time they have, often approach life with a whole new intensity and with clarity about what’s most important to them. As counselors, we can guide them toward a life of meaning and purpose as they accept and learn to appreciate the new normal.

“Cancer was never anything I would have chosen,” Sara said, “but in many ways the experience enriched my life.”

Georgia Shaffer, M.A. is a life coach, licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania and the author of A Gift of Mourning Glories: Restoring Your Life after Loss. As a professional speaker, Georgia’s audiences include oncology caregivers, cancer survivors and wellness groups. You can contact her at www.GeorgiaShaffer.com.

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But we just discovered another wonderful resource that you can print out and give to your pastoral staff as well from Joni Erickson Tada’s ministry Joni and Friends, called “20 Ways to Serve a Friend with a Disability.”

A few of the examples include:

• If there is a curb between the parking lot and a building, ramp it or build a curb cut.
• Make an effort to include people with disabilities in community gatherings. Isolation is a health hazard.
• Ask someone who is hearing impaired if the lighting is sufficient. Those who read
  lips find it hard to do so when the lighting is poor.
• Be aware of families with children with disabilities. It may be difficult for parents to find experienced babysitters, but they, too, need an evening out now and then. Offer your services.

Another great resource from Rest Ministries for those with chronic illness is this article:  50 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend.

Oftentimes we are quick to point out what our pastors are doing wrong, or how they could better serve us. But we must remember that they are usually doing the best they can with the resources and support that they have. They are human just like us, and can and will make mistakes, but these mistakes are usually from being overworked and under-appreciated. Take time to tell your pastor thank you for what he does do that blesses you. -Lisa

In a 2001 Duke Divinity School study, 76% of clergy were found to be overweight or obese. 10% were clinically depressed, 40% depressed some of the time or worn out most of the time. In the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, mental health problems, including chemical dependency, are the leading cause of disability in their health plan, accounting for 1/3 of the 300 rostered ministers on disability.

In a 2007 Focus on the Family article, a Barna Group study stated that the average pastor lasts only 5 yrs. at a church; churchgoers expect their pastor to juggle an average of 16 major tasks. Pastors are among the most over-worked and under-appreciated group of professionals. A rising divorce rate among clergy indicates ministry’s high-risk nature and its impact on clergy families.

As mental health congregational resource consultant for the Alban Institute, Carole Wills served with their Clergy Wellness Task Force during 2008. The focus of the this podcast interview is clergy mental health – an important concern for clergy, lay leaders and members of congregations.

Submitted by Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder, Coordinator of Mental Health Ministries, http://www.mentalhealthministries.net

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Here’s what you shared:

• 73% of you said you attend retreats LESS often SPECIFICALLY because of your illness.
• Almost 7% attend more retreats since being diagnosed with an illness

What should retreat planners be aware of?

Carol shares, “I was part of the staff that plans many of the retreats in my area before I started having health problems. I am still working as staff, however, there are times I have to step aside and not do everything that I used to do. I have learned that I have to not be in charge of anything so that I am able to stop if I am in too much pain. Being part of the staff has allowed me to see the importance of having opportunities for other people with health problems to take down time and rest. I think that the most important thing is to always be flexible.”

Margaret says she doesn’t attend retreats anymore because…”people don’t want to understand and accept that sometimes I have to retreat from the ‘retreat’, ie, sometimes I have to go back to my room and just rest, but others decide that I’m escaping from my problems, and demand that I participate in whatever is happening…I’m not wishing to be anti-social and will participate when God enables me to do so, but at the same time when God tells me to rest I must rest despite what the ‘timetable’ states.”

Melody shared with us her DREAM retreat!

• Comfortable chairs in meeting room
• Retreats closer to my home – live in a small town and usually have to go pretty far to retreats
• Massage therapists, hot tubs, doctors on call, drugstores on premises
• Menus you can order off of instead of having just the food they give you
• My own bed and not share with someone else because I won’t be able to sleep
• Motorized scooters to move around on the grounds
• The Holy Spirit would always show up and always have a special word or touch for each one of us–and a healing would be nice, too!
• Lots of Prizes – Hawaii vacations – hey you said we could dream

What do you think? Share us your favorite retreat ideas!

Also see: Planning a Womens Retreat so Those with Chronic Illness Can Come