I was working in a college with a class of special needs students who were learning to socialize and to be more independent. The beginning of the day involved arriving, hanging up their own coats, putting away their lunch boxes and making their own drinks. They then chatted to each other. One day I arrived and was asked if I was willing to have a volunteer in the room. I agreed.
A retired lady entered the room as some of the students were arriving. I took the opportunity to encourage social interaction and independence by suggesting to one of the students that he offered our visitor a drink. He was really thrilled and pleased with himself as he asked politely whether she would like tea or coffee and whether she wanted milk or sugar. Instead of saying ‘thank you,’ the visitor quickly responded with ‘I’ll make the drinks. I am here to help!’ She was mortified that I made her sit and be waited on by the students.
The visitor could not see that in receiving from the students, she was empowering them. She did not want to come to our class again, as she wanted to be somewhere where she could help poor unfortunates! Have you noticed a similar attitude—even if less obvious—from people who think that people with a learning disability should be ‘looked after’ rather than empowered to contribute?
This lady happened to be a Christian. In the world, many people with a learning disability are still neglected, abused or bullied. The church generally seeks to be a place of acceptance and care; we want to ensure that we look after all God’s children. But we must go further than caring for, we must acknowledge and encourage the gifts and talents that God has given to all His children, and that includes those with learning disabilities. I have been impacted by many of the people I know with a learning disability; I have received a lot from them, and they have taught me a lot.
Peter was a 60 year old gentleman with Down syndrome who attended our small home group. His faith in God’s love was awesome. One evening my shoulder was really painful. Peter stood up and very gently laid his hand on my shoulder and prayed. “Jesus…….love……..better.” He spent a few minutes repeating the words. Instantly, the Holy Spirit fell on me. I felt an incredible peace. Peter sat down and asked me if I was better. I was! My shoulder was healed and I felt no more pain. Peter was not surprised; he accepted it as normal. He had experienced God helping him many, many times in his life, and he assumed that God would meet my needs, too. He was an inspiration to many of us.
Linda was a 12 year old girl in my class who was nonverbal and understood very little speech. One day, I felt I should pray for her. I placed my hand on her head and prayed. The next day she arrived in the school hall and immediately found me, took my hand and placed it on her head. God had touched her, and she wanted His touch again. We don’t need to have cognitive understanding to receive from God. Her desire for his presence and his touch was inspirational.
Sermons are not necessarily preached: they can and should be lived. In fact, we all ought to be living out what we preach. Madeleine did not know the command “love one another” or the command to forgive one another. She just lived it. I don’t know anyone who loved people more. When I was in her presence, I felt loved, I received from her. She always remembered to ask about things I was doing, or about my family. Madeleine could not read, she did not know the worth of money and needed help with her personal care. Her speech was limited and she did not speak in complete sentences.
The bible says “God is love.” We don’t need intellectual abilities to love. In our churches, we need to identify the gifts of all people and then make use of them. We need to overcome our worldly perceptions and see people through the eyes of God. People with learning disabilities have gifts and talents.
Madeleine is the most welcoming person I know. Do you have a welcomer like Madeleine, or someone in your prayer ministry team like Peter? Do you receive encouragement from someone who seeks God and experiences God, yet cannot speak? Do you cultivate and celebrate someone who has a gift of hospitality who has a learning disability?
God loves everyone. Hopefully the church understands this and serves those with learning disabilities and their families. But we should not stop there. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Making disciples means empowering all people to use their gifts and to become active followers in the Kingdom of God. Disciple-making does not disqualify those who have limited cognitive ability or understanding. They too need the satisfaction of contributing to the world around them. Are we willing to receive?
Sue Sutton has nearly 50 years of experience working with people with learning disabilities. She has developed training programs for people working with a variety of learning disabilities and mental health issues. Sue is the author of “Living Fulfilled Lives: Empowering People With Learning Disabilities.” Connect with her on Facebook.
