[Faith-talk] What do you want sighted pastors and church members to know?

Sun Jul 14 19:40:13 UTC 2013

Hi...  What a great project!

I'll talk about tangible bariers first.  Videos are difficult for us,
especially if they have no narration at all.  Those are actually
becoming quite popular.

Like others have said, the bolitons not being online or in other
accessible formats make it difficult for me to know what's going on in
the church.

I also had trouble fitting in with the other kids when I was a
teenager.  I think it would be good to get experiences from blind
teenagers in churches because they have problems working with the
other kids due to lack of accessible materials.  The other problem I
encountered when I was younger(and still encounter) is people wanting
to take care of me because I can't see.  I know this happens outside
the church, but I think it's even worse in a church setting.

Transportation can also be a barrier.  It can be difficult to get a
ride to church if you don't have friends or family who attend with
you.

I would like pastors to know that I am blind, not broken, and I don't
need to be prayed over because of my blindness, and I don't
particularly want to be healed.  God made me this way, and I am happy
to be who I am.  All I want is to be included and treated like anyone
else.  If I need help or accomidation, I would like to know that I can
ask for it, but I don't want special treatment.

I have been in one church for several years.  I have dealt with
videos, inaccessible websites, and not being included in things as a
teenager.  One of the leaders of our student ministry on campus wanted
to pray over me and was extraordinarily persistent that I needed to be
healed.  He wasn't convinced no matter how much I explained the true
problems of blindness.  That was a rather aweful experience.

But I have been included in my choir for several years.  I sang,
acted, and even danced in Christmas shows.  We had a drama director
who believed I could do anything, and our previous choir director used
to tell off people for helping me when I didn't want it.  (Yes, I
tried to tell them first.)  That same choir director is now our
missions director and has encouraged me to come on missions trips,
something I thought impossible.

The church has embraced me and my guide dog and for the most part
respects my rules regarding my dog.  I think that's another thing to
include in this project.  No, churches are not required to follow the
law concerning service animals in the ADA, but they should.  Our dogs
are working and are our tools.  If they are not allowed to come with
us to church, we will not feel welcome at all.

What an exciting project.  I am enjoying reading others' responses as well.

On 7/14/13, rhonda cruz <rhondaprincess at gmail.com> wrote:
>  hello i just wanted to be treated like anyone else in the church,
>  and help out,
>   those are my thoughts,
>  i also don't want my blindness fixed either,
>
> On Jul 13, 2013, at 9:43 PM, melissa Green wrote:
>
>> very well said sheila.
>> I don't want my blindness to be fixed either.
>>
>> Blessings,
>> Melissa Green and PJ
>> facebook Melissa R Green
>> Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/melissagreen5674
>> skype: lissa5674
>> Goodreads Melissa Green
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Sheila Leigland" <sleigland at bresnan.net>
>> To: "Faith-talk,for the discussion of faith and religion"
>> <faith-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, July 13, 2013 8:50 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] What do you want sighted pastors and church
>> members to know?
>>
>>
>> one thing is that I don't need or want my blindness to be fixed. Being
>> whole means much more than being able to see. We may need to do things
>> differently but we can participate in most areas in church life. I am
>> not at all for separating from the general group of worshipers in to a
>> disabled group.
>> we are a part of a church family or not a part so don't presume that the
>> only thing the Lord cares about is my eyes.
>> On 7/13/2013 3:33 PM, Greg Aikens wrote:
>>> Hi friends,
>>> I'm working on a project for my denomination's center for the blind and
>>> am
>>> putting together some resources for pastors and church members who have
>>> questions about interacting with blind people in their congregations.  My
>>>
>>> goal is to debunk major myths and misconceptions about blindness from a
>>> religious perspective.  I want to be thorough and thought I would ask on
>>>
>>> this list for suggestions people have of topics to cover.
>>>
>>> What are the biggest challenges and barriers that blind people face when
>>>
>>> visiting a new church or trying to become a member of a new congregation?
>>>
>>> What challenges and barriers do blind people encounter in churches even
>>> after long time attendance?
>>>
>>> What do you wish you could express to pastors and church members that
>>> might change their attitudes?
>>>
>>> What would you say to a pastor who is concerned about being able to reach
>>>
>>> out to the blind people who visit his or her church?
>>>
>>> I'm looking for both negative and positive experiences you have had as a
>>>
>>> blind person trying to get involved in a local church.  What made your
>>> experiences positive or negative?  Successful or unsuccessful?
>>>
>>> Thank you for your thoughtful responses.
>>>
>>> Blessings,
>>> Greg Aikens
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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-- 
Julie McG
National Association of Guide dog Users board member,  National
Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary,
Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President,
and Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduate 2008
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
life."
John 3:16