Joanna French

Internalized Ableism

Internalized Ableism

“I am disabled. For years that was so hard to admit. I couldn’t mention out loud my neurodivergence. I whispered about my post-traumatic stress disorder, insisting ‘I’m better now.’ I was a champion for the disabled who didn’t want to talk about her own disabilities. It was disingenuous, but I didn’t know how to come to terms with the fact that I was disabled. I was still scared that admitting my disability publicly would convince people I was not able to do anything.” Joanna French writes on her experience with disability.

Different, Not Harder

Different, Not Harder

"Different, not harder." That was the powerful takeaway from a dear friend who has spoken with Joanna about special needs ministry for years. This leads her to the question: are we fighting for pity or equality?

What if true equality starts with finding common ground?

The Reason I Gave Church Another Chance

The Reason I Gave Church Another Chance

As members of the disability community or the parents/caregivers who love them, we know the Church is not overtly welcoming. The right body of believers is out there, but they may not know it…yet. They may not even be able to understand…yet. But they will be willing to learn. Consider this your formal invitation to be sure of what you cannot see.

The Reason I No Longer Mask my Neurodivergence at Church

The Reason I No Longer Mask my Neurodivergence at Church

After a recent conversation, Joanna French had the realization that she rarely masks her neurodivergence in her church. She shares her hope that everyone finds a community where their difference will be celebrated instead of admonished.

Advertise Every Miracle: A Lesson from Hanukkah

Advertise Every Miracle: A Lesson from Hanukkah

Somewhere along my walk of faith, God opened my eyes to the wealth of substance my faith was missing by not studying the roots of our faith as Christians, which lay in Judaism. The season of Hanukkah is coming to a close, but it holds a unique hope for us.

The Sin of Partiality and Disability Ministry

The Sin of Partiality and Disability Ministry

Right now, so many churches are seeking a few, permitting some, but not unabashedly speaking and sharing the gospel, ensuring its access to everyone. Is your church committing the sin of partiality?

5 Ways to Find Gratitude and Comfort this Thanksgiving

5 Ways to Find Gratitude and Comfort this Thanksgiving

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always? Pray continually? Give thanks in all circumstances? It’s not as easy as the scripture makes it sound, is it?

Tuning Your Ear to God in the Midst of Depression and Mania

Tuning Your Ear to God in the Midst of Depression and Mania

Over the last two years, I have been on a journey to understand my mental health. I wanted to know why my brain works as it does so I could grow. What I’ve found is that I can trust God to show up in my lowest of lows and highest of highs. He is present even in the in-between.

5 Ways to Prioritize Your Responsibilities as a Caregiver

5 Ways to Prioritize Your Responsibilities as a Caregiver

Life is a juggling act, and sometimes I have too many balls in the air. Sometimes, no matter how hard I try, one or more of the balls drop. By identifying which balls you can let fall, you can prioritize the breakable ones, like relationships with your spouse and kids, growing your faith, and even your mental health.