Viewing Disability Through a Different lens
It’s the start of a new year and many people are setting new goals. There are the typical goals like exercise more, eat better, take steps to be healthier and even read the bible more. All of these goals are great, but we have a challenge for you: We challenge you, in 2021 to set a goal to look at disability through a different lens.
When you use your camera and there’s a smudge on it, the final picture is blurry. Ten years later, you look back on that picture and you barely can distinguish what it is.
We can agree that a clear view is important. This is especially true when it comes to our relationships with the people with disabilities in our community. How do we view disability?
Three typical views on disability exist today:
1. The Historical View – This view tells us that disability or special needs, is an abnormal thing in a normal world. This view tells us that something needed to be fixed, changed, or unfortunately still in some parts of the world even today, gotten rid of.
2. The Reactionary View – This view tells us that disability is normal in a normal world. It tells us only to celebrate disability as different.
BUT, The Historical and Reactionary Views are both flawed. And there is only one view that stands.
3. The Biblical View – This view tells us that disability is a normal part of an abnormal world. Genesis 1:27 tells us that we are created in the image of God. We are God’s image-bearers. When sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, Romans 8:20 tells us that creation was frustrated and now creation is marred. Not only was the relationship of God and man affected, but the marring of creation affects the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual parts of creation.
Scripture confirms over and over the Biblical View of disability as a normal part in an abnormal world. You can find reinforcement of this view in Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139, Ephesians 2:10, Exodus 4:11, and John 9.
The way we view people with disabilities affects the way we treat people. Our view also determines what we believe people are capable of, especially in the Kingdom of God.
When we view people with disabilities with the Historical View, we see them as abnormal, something that needs to be fixed or even a mistake. This view tends to lead to feelings of pity. But, always remember that pity blocks purpose.
The Reactionary View causes us to look at people with disabilities as if we should celebrate their struggles. When we minimize a person or family’s struggle with a Reactionary View, we can cause them to question their ability to handle their situation and, in some cases, question their faith.
But, the Biblical view allows us to see people as God’s creation in a fallen world. It identifies the struggles, but gives way to the purpose for life, with or without a disability.
Let’s start this year on the right foot, or lens, so to speak. The way we view people directly affects how we believe God works in their life. Let’s make sure our view is clear on people with disabilities.
~Tracie Corll, Special Touch Ministry Missionary Associate
The above article was produced as part of the Special Touch Ministry Disability Friendly Church Monthly Training Tips series.
This article was reprinted with permission from Special Touch Ministry, Inc. Learn more about their ministry at specialtouch.org