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November 23, 2008
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Home > 2008 > OctoberChristianity Today, October, 2008  |   |  
KINGDOM SIGHTINGS
Surprised by Disability
Why the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensible.



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When my wife, Ellen, and I received prenatal confirmation that our second son would have Down syndrome, we were concerned but also relieved. Why? Because a previous diagnosis was more severe: that our son's condition might have been, as the doctor put it, "incompatible with life." He told us that we could terminate the pregnancy, but we chose to "do no harm" and prepare for our child's birth, come what may. Several months later, we joyously and nervously welcomed Elijah Timothy Hsu into the world.

Life with Elijah has been challenging but not unmanageable. He has had his share of doctors and therapists. But for the most part, he is a happy and healthy three-year-old who loves Blue's Clues and Signing Time DVDS, roughhousing with his older brother, saying "No!" and giving hugs.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and the public needs to know that Down syndrome is not nearly as scary as many imagine. Recent articles in both the American Journal of Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis report that more than 90 percent of pregnancies prenatally diagnosed as Down syndrome are terminated. As prenatal testing becomes normative, expectant couples may be more likely to abort babies who are not exactly what they had hoped for.

Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche communities, which bring abled and disabled people together under one roof, warns in Living Gently in a Violent World that in a few years there may be no more children with Down syndrome in France because they will have all been aborted. In China, babies with disabilities are often abandoned. Extremist groups in the Middle East have even used people with mental disabilities as unwitting suicide bombers. The church must advocate on behalf of those most vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Care for the disabled is a global justice issue.

The 2000 U.S. Census found that 19.4 percent of the population is affected by physical or intellectual disability. One in 140 children now has an autism spectrum disorder, according to the 2007 Annual Review of Public Health. Cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, spina bifida, Alzheimer's, and a host of other conditions affect millions. If you don't currently know someone with a disability, chances are that you will.

All of us are only temporarily abled. We are only a car acci-dent or stroke away from disability. As Joan Mahler, coordinator of L'Arche USA, told me, "All of us are abled in some ways and disabled in others. People with developmental disabilities often help all of us understand our own brokenness."

The church must take up Luke 14's call to welcome the disabled to the great banquet of the kingdom. According to the Christian Institute on Disability (CID), perhaps 80 percent of the disabled are unchurched. As disabilities become more common, churches and seminaries increasingly need disability ministries.

When Biola University recently offered its first-ever course on the theology of suffering and disability, registration filled up within one hour. California Baptist University now offers a master's degree in disability studies—the first of its kind from a Christian institution—on campus and online. Joni Eareckson Tada's organization, Joni and Friends, launched CID to equip individuals and churches for disability ministry. Its managing director, Steve Bundy, says, "The body of Christ is incomplete when it does not include the disabled."

Our theology needs to rediscover God's particular concern for and identification with the disabled. We worship a God who both healed the sick and took on our infirmities as the suffering, crucified Savior. Nancy Eiesland, author of The Disabled God, notes that it's theologically significant that Jesus' post-resurrection body still bore the scars.





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Displaying 1 - 3 of 23 comments.See all comments
Steve   Posted: October 01, 2008 10:29 AM
This was a wonderful article! As a parent of a son with autism and cerebral palsy, I can relate to Mr. Hsu's experience. Our son has been such a joy that we have pursued the adoption of a special needs girl. Those who are "disabled" have much to teach us, including the fact that we all have disabilities to one degree or another. I pray that the church will indeed take seriously the call to minister to and with those who have profound disabilities.

Kamarie Miles   Posted: October 03, 2008 12:15 PM
Thank you for writing this and for living what you say you believe. I have a 2 month old son with Down Syndrome. He is such a blessing. I have been amaze the very unbiblical and worldly comments we have received from so-called Christians. Who are we to say that some children are more valuable then others? That is what abortion does. It says that we can decide which lives are worth saving. Sadly this attitude has crept into our churches. I praise God for my son and I would not change anything about him. He is just another example of God the Great Creator creating in a unique and beautiful way.

annie   Posted: September 30, 2008 2:58 PM
I was extremely touched by this article. I'm not sure what "Anonymous" is complaining about, or what exactly his point is, as he complains about Hsu not making a point. I think the point is, not only will we always have "the poor" with us, we will have the differently abled, handicapped, etc with us also, and we'd better get our world view in order to not only have an answer ready for this death seeking world, but a love ready as well. The question begs to be asked, if Down Syndrome babies need to be terminated before birth, what are you saying about those who escaped death? What is their value? What is the value of people disabled by accident, etc??

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