"My Amazing Disability Story"
Belief.net - a site which bills itself as "A Spiritual Approach to your Daily Health and Happiness" - "wants to put together a collection of stories and photographs of disabled people of faith accomplishing amazing things."
.
They want to hear "your stories of inspiration and courage" because "many disabled people find that they can accomplish amazing feats despite challenges that they face each day."
Quite right. Why, only yesterday, Lady Bracknell managed to carry a laptop computer down two flights of stairs despite the fact that she experiences terrible pain in her lower back. If she had a religious bone in her body, she would undoubtedly have attributed this "amazing feat" to her faith in the Lord.
Ouch readers who are less cynical and hard-bitten than Lady Bracknell have until the 15th of August to submit their stories and photographs to beliefneteditorial2@gmail.com.
Comments
I'm getting weepy eyed just thinking about it. Way to perpetuate the stereotype beliefnet! Plus, I'm not sure what there site is trying to inspire with all those banner ads. I guess inspiration ain't for free any more.
I wonder if they would be offended if I wrote how I use meditation to get through my day. I chant Hebrew songs to help me concentrate on walking. I am Jewish. Most of the songs are simple prayers that were taught to me when I was 3 years old or younger. They are about the only thing I can remember when I can't even remember my own name. My disabilities are invisible and won't show up in a photo graph. Well, unless you catch me paralyzed on the floor not breathing due to one of my environmental allergies.
Stories that inspire disabled people are not that bad for disabled people living in third world countries where the basic amenities are probably in Heaven. A good story will show that despite the physical challenges a disabled person can overcome through his belief system, which could even be in faith in one's self.
Oh lets see when I was going through all my 7 years of diagnosise and medical checks to diagnose CMT, I was hounded by well meaning people with heros to look up to that where disabled. Douglas Badder, Mozart, Ray Charles, and numerouse others.
Now 50 years on I still haven't heard of one who has had CMT that has raised to promenance other than my own achievements which slowly governments, unions and insurance companies have erroded away through laws which have restrcited what I can do legaly like drive vehicles. So who would be a a modern day hero NO plain everyday person comes to mind we don't hear of them just those in the news who already have made their mark as able bodied who have contracted some sort of disability and now wantsthe worls attention and sympathy.
Religon is a man made intersution and people should remember that the devil belive's in God he often said (your father who are't in heaven will provide) so saying you beilive in God is a waste of effort and time
As a christian for many years and also disabled, I find it hard sometimes to cope with other christians. First off when they meet you they have all the time in the world for you. but after a year or so the "how are you" starts to become hollow, then they start to avoid greeting you. They don't want to hear about your ackes and pains; why because God has not healed you. Suppose they feel a failure because your not healed.
The sad thing is they don't understand disabled people enjoy life as it is. It would be nice to run in the park........... but having to go more slowly you get to see more of Gods creation.
Whos' the loser.
A Brother in Christ
I agree with Ron. Many Christians go directly against what Jesus said about disabilities when speaking about the man born blind. After being asked whose "fault" it was that the man was born blind, (his or his parents') Jesus said it wasn't anyone's fault. Implicit in this idea of "God will cure everyone if only you have enough faith" idea is a blaming point of view that goes against Christianity. In spite of this fact, many Christians insist on pushing this idea.
I agree with Ron. Many Christians don't seem to agree with what Jesus said about disabilities when speaking about the man born blind. Jesus said it was not a punishment for anyone's sin. Still, many Christians refuse to believe that and treat those with disabilities accordingly, especially if they are not "cured."