tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27817243.post6147016922576816282..comments2024-03-24T03:28:37.007-04:00Comments on Life With Joey: LRE Catch-22Joeymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254601805621175842noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27817243.post-48204933565267536202008-10-27T23:24:00.000-04:002008-10-27T23:24:00.000-04:00BWH has a new web address : bigwhitehat.usBWH has a new web address : <BR/><BR/>bigwhitehat.usClaudiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11275778235093122031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27817243.post-75957247944528902392008-10-27T15:41:00.000-04:002008-10-27T15:41:00.000-04:00Don't know if it will be helpful (either at the ch...Don't know if it will be helpful (either at the church you're attending now or another one yet to be found) but our congregation has had quite a bit of success with lining up volunteers to give one-on-one support to kids on the spectrum so they can attend the Sunday school classes. Granted it does mean a different aide each week of the month (which for my daughter actually works OK), but on the plus side it ends up putting her in the same environment with her peers and with a consistent regular Sunday-school teacher.<BR/><BR/>Parents of kids with special needs in our church have also been invited to give presentations to the adult Sunday school class, with follow-ups about every 2 or 3 years. We just gave our first presentation last month...<BR/><BR/>It can work, but it does take a congregation that is open to the possibilities, and the blessings, of including everyone regardless of ability.JoyMamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15073328328434957851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27817243.post-87960202402228769092008-10-25T08:54:00.000-04:002008-10-25T08:54:00.000-04:00The church I have attended for years is very small...The church I have attended for years is very small. There is no classroom for the kids during the church service. TC tends to get loud and I have to place all of my focus on him anyway...let me just say I haven't gone in a long time. It is hard, because my church is very understanding but I don't like that TC is so disruptive.kristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17987700142247888708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27817243.post-36298408931757907672008-10-25T08:18:00.000-04:002008-10-25T08:18:00.000-04:00Thanks for the suggestion, BWH! (I was wondering w...Thanks for the suggestion, BWH! (I was wondering where you were- your blog isn't loading for me). WE really appreciate your prayers.Joeymomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08254601805621175842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27817243.post-52832777430469033952008-10-25T04:26:00.000-04:002008-10-25T04:26:00.000-04:00What ever your choice, remember,"I can do ALL THIN...What ever your choice, remember,"I can do ALL THINGS through Him that strengthens me."<BR/><BR/>This church doesn't even seem to know what Joey's "special needs" actually are. This problem is exacerbated by infrequent attendance. In short, this is a real tough problem.<BR/><BR/>There is a good possibility that you could make this church a good church home for Joey. But, do you really want to? Is this a good justification for leaving a congregation you don't care for anyway?<BR/><BR/>I ask those questions earnestly. This comes down to figuring out if you are happy there in the first place.<BR/><BR/>If you do want to stay, have a meeting with the church leadership about this whole affair. Have in mind, what you would like to see happen. I have a feeling the leadership will be asking you to come up with the solution. You will also have to be willing to assist with implementing that solution.<BR/><BR/>Lastly, I would like to suggest a little outside help. You should contact <A HREF="http://www.joniandfriends.org/" REL="nofollow">Joni and Friends.</A> They are full of all kinds of good information that is very helpful to churches. Joni Eareckson Tada may well be the foremost authority on equipping churches to disciple and evangelize disabled people.<BR/><BR/>I hope that helps. <BR/><BR/>I took special time to pray about your dilemma tonight. Please know that I truly care about this problem. I have had similar problems lately too. You are not alone.bigwhitehathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05378526701377764387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27817243.post-24128651194849239472008-10-25T00:08:00.000-04:002008-10-25T00:08:00.000-04:00Oh, how I wish you lived near me (Illinois). I go ...Oh, how I wish you lived near me (Illinois). I go to a fantastic church that is striving to do its best with disabilities ministry. We have sign language every other Sunday (this is a new thing we are trying out), students with special needs included in regular classes with a one-on-one aide assigned to them, valet parking for our special needs adults, and a task force who meets regularly to address needs like your sons. I wish you could come to my church! <BR/><BR/>Good luck with a very tough decision you have to make. I personally would share your concerns (again) with the church and let them know the impact it is having on your family then wait it out for a couple of months to see if things change, but that' just me.<BR/><BR/>My co-blogger has a son with Prader-Willi Syndrome, so special needs ministry is an area that I'm becoming increasingly aware of.Mandiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03832752217487538595noreply@blogger.com