[Blindtlk] rides from church members

[Judy Jones]

Wow, that is not cool.  There are churches that are better at outreach than 
others, and the secret may lie in finding the church that will support you.

-----Original Message----- 
From: justin williams
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 5:57 AM
To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] rides from church members

I am having the same problem; my church is liberal also.  I've pretty much 
stopped going to church; the decision to go to lunch or not after church is 
awkward, and sometimes, rides to church fall through.  If you want me a part 
of the congregation, it seems like there would be a little more cooperation. 
I might ask, who is going to lunch, and literally, get no response, or a 
bbunch of I nots.   I have pretty much stopped going.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lauren 
Merryfield
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 1:06 AM
To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] rides from church members

Hi,
I know my church has a volunteer committee. I emailed, suggesting that we 
have a transportation committee, but I might be about the only person 
needing a ride.

I did have them put a notice in the bulletin and on the bulletin board, but 
we didn't get any responses. I don't think some of them see me as valuable, 
but as someone who is broken and not healed; that kind of thing. It is a 
more liberal church, so it seems like they could be more 
disability-oriented. I think they are working on improving things, with our 
new minister. She always stops to say hi to me, which is really nice. But 
when Marilynn isn't available, I really don't have other options except to 
take a cab.
Thanks
Lauren

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ericka 
Short
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2013 5:09 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] rides from church members

Depending on how large your congregation is, you might want to start by 
sitting down one on one with the pastor and explaining your needs.  He/she 
can either direct you to some names to contact personally.  They might know
of hidden services in you area also.   If you know people from adult
classes, ladies aid or parents who have kids in Sunday School with your kids 
you can find a common connection.  Bigger churches have either a parish 
nurse, Family  concerns or social concerns committee/team .  These can be a 
good resource too.  At first you will have to schedule rides but later 
people realize you really need help and don't take advantage of them, you 
should have a few that will be reliable in a sticky situation.  I put a note 
in the bulletin and church newsletter.  That helped.  The more involved you 
are in the congregation the more they are willing to help you.  People like 
to help those they care about.  People don't help strangers so often any 
more probably for the same reason background checks for drivers is a good 
idea.  Some days I think some congregational leaders wish I'd leave the 
church because I’m pushing them to  be more disability accessible in 
facilities and in attitude.  That won't happen!  Good luck.  I hope I was 
helpful.

Ericka J. Short
262-697-0510

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13

"No hand is too small or too big to do good in this world." EJ. Short


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