I've just returned home from Washington, DC where I attended the Accessibility Summit at McLean Bible Church. This conference, which is held annually, focuses on disability ministry. Participants learn about a wide variety of strategies for including children with special needs in church activities. It was an amazing conference...I highly recommend it! (Mark your calendar for March 20 and 21, 2009)
I attended with my colleagues from Key Ministry Foundation(www.keyministry.org) If you're not familiar with KMF, please take a minute to check out the website...It's a fabulous organization, run by some of my very favorite folks, Rebecca Hamilton and Steve Grcevich. We gave a presentation on working effectively with kids who have aggressive behaviors, and were blessed with a full room of great participants.
So much of my work is focused on kids' school lives...the Monday through Friday experience. However, as a mom, I know how long and lonely weekends can be when a family is affected by a disability. Disabilities don't take the weekend off. So many families tell me, "We used to go to church, but we don't anymore. It's just one more place I have to explain my child's behavior...People think they can tell where the disability ends and bad parenting begins. It's just not worth it."
If this is your experience, please call or email me. I'll put you in touch with Key Ministry and they'll help you work with your church so you and your child feel welcome and comfortable. If you don't have a church home, they can help you find a good fit for your family.
We're all in this together...seven days a week.
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