Disability and Spiritual GrowthIn this article, I will focus on disability and spiritual growth. All the children in the home need to know about Jesus and GOD almighty. We need to pray with our children. We should teach our children to obey the parents (in the Lord) for this is right. This is the first commandment with a promise, “that it may go well with you and that you may have long life on earth” (Ephesians .6:3). So children are encouraged to obey their parents in order to live longer on earth. Christabel is able to recite a number of prayers and she is also able to read certain verses in the bible. Christabel’s favourite quotation from the bible is Luke 1:37 which says “for nothing is impossible for God”. This is in apparent reference to her physical condition because she believes that one day with the help of God she will walk. She is not alone in this belief, all the family members including myself believe that Christabel will walk one day. She underwent the Holy Communion lessons for two years and she received her first holy communion on her 18th birthday on 16th December, 2008. She has mastered the Ten Commandments and regularly attends mass on Sundays. This an example of disability and spiriatual growth. Christabel freely moves around the house and has access to all the rooms, she enjoys watching television and listening to music. On television, Christabel likes religious programmes, especially Emmanuel T.V and Impact ministries. Christabel’s access to all the room in the home is in contrast with some other people with children with disabilities who tend to confine them to certain rooms. Some parents do not even want visitors to know or see their children with disabilities. On one occassion we took Christabel out to an event where a a local popular musician was performing and she enjoyed herself. When there are parties for children where our children are invited, Christabel also attends. On one occasion, we were told that she actually took charge of the younger girls and she maintained peace and order.
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