Unmaking fairytales
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Unmaking fairytales

When other children have asked me about Rachel and Janneke’s disabilities, I’ve often used the words, “Their bodies work differently from yours.” My intention in those situations has been to simply acknowledge the difference. But more recently, I’ve been reflecting on how we as adults interpret or even contrive differences. In the beginning “It is…

Finite possibilities
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Finite possibilities

This month, our Janneke turns 13. Thinking back to her birth, I am reminded of the strong feelings we had then. It was obvious her body would not have the same freedoms as her peers to explore talking, eating and walking. In those first few weeks, we knew that we’d have to redefine (again) life…

Out of step
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Out of step

On March 13, 1990, an eight-year-old girl, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, joined over 60 adults and families impacted by physical disabilities to crawl up the steps of the Capitol building in Washington D.C. without their mobility devices to physically demonstrate the inaccessible architecture and culture of America.  Living in an ableist culture My two youngest,…

Your ramp is not enough
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Your ramp is not enough

“Where’s the lectern in your church?” It seems like a simple question, but Dr. David Pereyra has a profound point to make. Are there stairs on the way to the lectern? How high is it? Who typically reads the Bible at your church? Look around: how many people with disabilities are there? And that’s just…

The Washer Life
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The Washer Life

It’s 11 p.m., and I am headed to bed. Though it is suggested that the average family does eight to ten loads of wash each week (spruce.com), in our home, the washer and dryer run almost continuously throughout the day. Due to the specific nature of Rachel and Janneke’s needs, we average five loads a…

The kite lady
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The kite lady

I can say without reservation that flying our kite is Rachel’s favourite thing to do. Unleashed in the wind, the colourful fabric and long tail is eye-catching and mesmerizing. As often as possible, weather permitting, we drive Rachel and Janneke to The Spit. It’s a narrow tree-filled stretch of land alongside the Welland Canal that…

The disability camp that started a revolution
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The disability camp that started a revolution

“This camp changed the world, and nobody knows the story.”  So begins co-director and narrator Jim LeBrecht in the opening scenes of Crip Camp. A critically lauded award-winning documentary film directed by LeBrecht and Nicole Newnham, Crip Camp tells the story of a summer camp and its impact on the disability revolution in the United…

Making Time
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Making Time

In September 2017, I wrote about the concept of time as it relates to disability and discipleship, seen through the lens of disability theologian John Swinton’s book Becoming Friends of Time: Disability, Timefullness and Gentle Discipleship. It’s four years later, and I am still recommending that book (and that column).  Add to the book list…

Hoping for renewal
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Hoping for renewal

The idea of summer brings to mind popsicles, sprinklers, bare feet in the sand and camping in a tent. Yet those images belong to my own childhood. Summer holds a different flavour now as a mom. Specific to the needs of Rachel and Janneke, it means more time at home and less respite.  This summer…

The power of the visual
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The power of the visual

My mother-in-law recently moved into a long-term care home in our neighbourhood, so I am able to walk over to see her. Her present health on account of aging has made it difficult for her to remember names and events well. When we talk together, there are times when she has difficulty recalling. Yet when…

Onley’s insights
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Onley’s insights

He holds honorary degrees from 10 Canadian universities; he’s received both the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada; he’s in the Terry Fox Hall of Fame, and the town where he was born named a park after him. Yet when he answered the phone for our interview, the Honourable David Onley sounded like…

A church of every tribe
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A church of every tribe

When large group meetings were suspended a year ago due to COVID-19, churches scrambled to figure out what an online church would look like. Would it be on Zoom or YouTube? Would they be able to compete with all of the professional quality videos already posted? Should each church continue to create their own sermons?…