[Blindtlk] rides from church members

Tue Dec 10 19:22:07 UTC 2013

I find it disturbing that some of us have problems getting rides from 
members of our churches, especially if we have been involved in the 
churches.  When I was attending our Episcopal church in Florida, which was 
again pretty liberal, I never had problems getting rides to and from church. 
I suppose the fact that I was in the choir for several years and people got 
to know me certainly didn't hurt.  But even before I was in the choir, 
people were really good about it.  Also, there was an informal group of us 
who would usually go to brunch together after the service, and anyone who 
wanted to was welcomed to come along.  It was just in general a very caring, 
generous church environment.  Here in Maine, I attend church with a very 
nice couple who just happen to live in my building.  The more I write, the 
more I realize how fortunate I have been.  I might also say that I have 
heard of certain situations in which people were not up front about their 
transportation needs, and the drivers were taken advantage of, and the 
person requesting the service expected the driver to take them everywhere, 
shopping, errands, without that having been agreed upon.  We need to do our 
part in making sure that we are up front and that this will not be a one way 
street, so to speak.

Mark Tardif
Nuclear arms will not hold you.
-----Original Message----- 
From: Judy Jones
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 2:05 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] rides from church members

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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