VOLUME 26 / ISSUE 3

Magazine

5th Annual

GIVEBACKNovember 3, 2012

More Details Inside

Fall 2012

JOY!A Journey to Experience

On the CoverBREAKAWAY 2012

In line with the theme “As-cent”, a Sea Plane flies in for the day.

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6

Leadership

8

Lift on the Horizon

11

The Lighter Side

12

Mom’s Moments

14

Caregiver Conversations

16

Family

18

Fitness

20

Community Lifts

22

A Pastoral Lift

24

Dad’s Den

www.liftdisability.net

regular features

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One of the things I miss most about living in the north is the wonderful cool crisp air that comes with Fall in the Midwest. As a child we would jump at the chance to wear

our new school clothes that consisted of heavy sweaters and many layers at the first sign of a weather change. As we left the front door in the morning for school, we were overjoyed when we could see our breath in the air. A contest would break out to see who could have the biggest puff of smoke. Eventually all this inhaling and exhaling would result in glorious moments of laughter.

As fall enters, we at Lift Magazine are excited to take a deep breath of the crisp air with you. This can only mean that we have lots of smoke to exhale. This issue is loaded with many puffs going on this fall. Be sure to check out each page of God-breathed stories as well as exciting events you can participate in.

We hope you will take a deep inhale of the crisp air as you move into another season of life and perhaps have a few moments of laughter as well!

Enjoy,

Rhonette HukillEditor in Chief

Editor’s Letter

Crisp Air

EDITOR IN CHIEF Rhonette Hukill

SENIOR EDITOR Dr. Mike Beates

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Caregiver Conversations Rhonette Hukill

Community Lifts Jim HukillCrafting Community Leanne Goddard

Fitness Heather Pennington Lead Jim Hukill

Life on the Horizon Chris Maxwell Mom’s Moments Nicolette Samuel

Outdoor Adventures Doug GoddardA Pastoral Lift Dr. Ken Dignan

Lift Disability Network PO Box 770607

Winter Garden, FL 34777 407.228.8343

Vision Statement: Elevating Life in the Disability Family

Mission Statement: Our mission is to unite in Love, connect to Learn and empower to Lead

Value Statement: We value the supremacy of Life

Copyright © 2011 Lift Disability Network. No part may be reproduced without written

permission from publisher.

EDITORIAL COMMENTS & SUBSCRIPTION QUERIESPlease e-mail magazine@liftdisability.net

Phone 407.228.8343. Or write to: Lift Disability Network

PO Box 770607, Winter Garden, FL 34777

Magazine

THERE’S MORE TO SEE ONLINE.Check out our website at

LiftDisability.net

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Join us for this Free Event for fami-lies with disabilities to pack and send Christmas boxes to children in third world countries. •Ourgoalis1,000boxes•Bring a friend•Christmas caroling•Decorating sugar cookies•Face painting•Balloons and more...

Located at Central Florida Christian Academy

700 Good Homes Road, Orlando, FL

10-2pm

Disability Network

Our Partners

BENEFITING

2012Saturday, November 3rd

5th ANNUAL

Volunteers & items needed! To get involved go to: www.liftdisability.net/giveback.aspor call 407-228-8343

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Lead

Joy to the world” is the message angels gave

to a few shepherds one dark night as reflected in Luke 2. Startled by a Star Wars epic moment, the furthest notion from the minds of the lowly shep-herds was the idea of a joyful spirit. With a re-sponse that would come from anyone in their san-dals, they were anything but excited about what they were experiencing. Prior to a charge the shep-herds received to search out the Christ Child, they were given this greeting of great heavenly excite-ment while confronting great personal fear. They were witnesses of a most unusual, extraordinary, indeed supernatural phe-nomenon. The moment was anything but an ex-perience that provoked joy.

JOY!BY JIM HUKILL

“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:22 NIV)

ABOVE: Miracle League GameOrlando, Florida

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JIM HUKILL is the Founder and Director of Lift Disability Network. Throughout his life Jim has rolled his wheelchair past one barrier after another and the result is a schooled life in overcoming limits.

Lead

The historical context of this proclama-tion did not provide a great backdrop for joy either. The emotional climate for the day ranged from boredom to despair. It was a very mundane time. Spiritually, nothing had really taken place for nearly 400 years and, yet, the tiding was “Great Joy!” Simply, there was no reason for joy.

Even when the mission was completed and the Christ Child was located, the setting was not jubilate. It was rustic, lowly, and unnotice-able. From this scenery of oppression comes the message of joy.

Through my disability life journey I have experienced, like the shepherds, moments of great fear, emotional climates of darkness, and isolating stables. Disability is a great re-flection of the day in which the Christ Child was introduced into the world. Isolation, fear, hopelessness met with a single tiding of, Great Joy! So, is it possible to experience joy in life when every day is an exercise in surviv-al?

In order for one to find this “great joy” one must listen for the command, “Search for the Christ Child.” When we are filled with such overwhelming circumstances, the first step in grasping joy is to listen to a different voice.

Early in my life I discovered that pain has a loud voice. It cries out for me to give up. It cries out that life is not fair. It cries out that life is hopeless. Ministry is too hard. People don’t like you. It screams, “God doesn’t care!” But in the presence of this loud voice is a deafening whisper that proclaims Joy to our world. Lis-ten for the new voice.

Finally, the intriguing element in this story is the great contrast between the scenery of hopelessness and the heavenly production of hope. It seems that in order for real hope to be found it must be seeded and cultivated in the ground of despair. From the rich soil of darkness comes the majestic expression of eventuality. The rugged shepherds, the rustic stable, and the darkness of night was the sig-nificant setting in which God placed His even-tual remedy to the desperate hour of man-kind. Likewise, from our soil of sorrow comes the hope of the inevitable. That hope is this: our suffering has a remedy found in Christ. In finding Him we start the journey of experi-encing what God has already established, our salvation. That is “Joy!”

“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:22 NIV)

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Our Word for the DayBY CHRIS MAXWELL

Since my brain doesn’t re-member well, I work hard

with my words.

As an author and speaker, I seek the best words at the best times. As a husband, fa-ther, and grandfather, I know the importance of words. As a counselor, I also see the value of listening.

Most of us should speak less and listen more. Most of us say too much -- too soon and too often.

So, in this article, let us sum-marize our story with one word: FUN.

That is a word so many of us delete from the files of our lives because of disabili-ties. We think the two words FUN and DISABILITY aren’t allowed in the same life sto-ry. But the word FUN and its meaning are allowed – and needed – in each of our lives.

Yes, we endure struggles. We face issues and fight through weaknesses.

But we are also surrounded by so much beauty. We have

Life on the Horizon

so many reasons to smile. And we can choose to have FUN in this journey of life.

When is the last time you laughed? What caused the laughter? What would be in your Top Ten List of life’s most fun moments? What do you hope to add to that list in the future? What is stopping you? Can you begin today?

If you could describe the scene of an experience in life when you really had fun, which event from your past would you select? What people do you enjoy being around? Why?

How can you bring fun in healthy ways to other peo-ple?

Let’s let these passages of Scripture remind us of joy and fun:

“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

“Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation” (Psalm 35:9).

“You will go out in joy, and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12).

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that

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CHRIS MAXWELL

is an Author, Pastor & Director of Spiritual Life

www.chrismaxwellweb.com

Life on the Horizon

your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4).

“Rejoice always” (1 Thess. 5:16).

So, consider the questions and read the verses. Think about life. Don’t deny your struggles, but add the won-der of joy in your everyday

experience. Let’s face reality, work through our pain, and let’s have FUN.

Messy Games at Breakaway 2011

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Crafting Community

Fall Pencil Holder

For this project you will need:

- small empty can

- twine

- strong wide double sided tape

- paper napkins with leaf motifs

- paper napkin glue or decoupage glue

- soft and flat paint brush

Instructions:

1. First you need to wrap double sided tape around the en-tire surface of the can.

2. Take the twine and tightly wrap it around the can. Start at the top and work your way down to the bottom. Press the twine onto the tape while wrapping.

3. Once the entire can is covered, you will decorate it with the paper napkins.

4. Cut the leaf motifs out separately and remove all but the top napkin layers if it has more than 1 ply.

5. Brush glue onto an area you wish to decorate. Then press the paper napkin gently onto this area. Gently brush more glue onto the leaf so that it adheres to the can. Repeat this step until the can is decorated the way you wish.

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.

~Elizabeth Lawrence

Try this easy craft for fall...

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Ligther Side

When I was young, my family would go to see

my grandmother. I would sit and listen to her stories. She would always talk about the “skeletons in the closet.” When she passed away, my first thought was “I hope she does not choose my closet to put her skeleton in.”

Well, now that I am older (not necessarily wiser), I have learned what that saying means. Now, I actu-ally have skeletons in my closet. Molly, my dog, loves to play and torment lizards. She will hunt them, put her paw on them, let them go, and then catch them in her mouth. She would like to think this would go on for-ever, but 5-7 minutes is the longest her fun lasts. After she has picked them up in the clutches of her mouth, she will F-L-I-N-G them into the air. Lizards are very good gymnasts. Once they have

My Mortuary ClosetBY APRIL JOHNSON

APRIL JOHNSON has double sco-liosis with four rods in her back. She has lived in Florida all her life. She enjoys read-ing, talking with people, Christian music, and JESUS CHRIST!!!

landed, she will chase them and proceed with another free ride. Three times is ap-parently all they can stand. The lifeless lizard body lands and Molly nudges them with her nose. I hang my head in remembrance of the life now gone. She does not seem to understand not everyone likes to be airborne. I tell her she loses more friends this way. She picks up the lifeless lizard, trots to my closet, lays it down, and goes to find her next victim.

At last count, there were five lizard skeletons in my closet.

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.

~Elizabeth Lawrence

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NICOLETTE SAMUEL has been married 13 years to her husband Shaker. Combined they have 3 chil-dren. With her husband as Pastor, Nicolette finds herself very involved in church ministry. Over the years she has learned many lessons, many of which come from her daughter, Hannah, who has Down syndrome.

Don’t Say ThatBY NICOLETTE SAMUEL

Mom’s Moments

Ihave a real problem with negative self-talk. A friend in college always called it “Stinkin’

Thinkin’.” I was never so fully aware of the magnitude of the problem until recently. At school this year, Hannah’s teacher was ex-tremely diligent about correcting the kids in her class when they would say unkind words to each other. This is such a great thing, and I am truly grateful for her consistency. Addi-tionally, it has produced a fun side effect at home. Now Hannah assumes certain words are bad words, regardless of how they are used. Words such as stupid, dumb, crazy, ri-diculous, etc. have taken on the gravity of cuss words in her presence, even if they are used regarding inanimate objects. The wonderful result is that whenever I say those words to or about myself, which is apparently quite often, Hannah will promptly correct me. She says, with great conviction, “Don’t say that word, that’s a bad word.”

My daughter has greatly increased my awareness of this area of sin in my life. Oh, the tongue…it is restless and evil. No wonder James dedicates half of a chapter to it. James 3:9 says, “Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.” I put quite a bit of effort into making sure that my words to others are kind and loving. Some of the things I say to and about myself, however, I would never say to someone else. Well at

least not out loud. Yet when directed at my-self the words roll off my tongue without such a thought.

“May the words of my mouth and the medi-tation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words may be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Eph. 4:29 NLT). So often it’s hard for me to remember that I also am made in the image of God, and I need to be cautious of how I speak to and about His creation. “You are worthy, O Lord, our God to receive glory and honor and power for you created all things. And they exist because you created what you pleased” (Rev. 4:11 NLT).

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Corn Squash Soup Makes: 8 Servings

Ingredients•12 bacon strips, diced•1 medium onion, chopped•1 celery rib, chopped•2 tablespoons all-purpose flour•1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth•6 cups mashed cooked butternut squash•2 cans (8-3/4 ounces each) cream-style corn•2 cups half-and-half cream•1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley•1-1/2 teaspoons salt•1/2 teaspoon pepper•Sour cream, optional

Directions•In a large saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. • In the drippings, saute onion and celery until tender. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually stir in broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. • Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the squash, corn, cream, parsley, salt, pepper and bacon. Cook and stir until heated through. Garnish with sour cream if desired. Yield: 8 servings (2-1/2 quarts). Originally published as Corn and Squash Soup in Taste of Home October/November 2005, p41

Mom’s Moments

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that the wildlife wouldn’t bother us.

Our trip was very different this year from my childhood. Although there was plenty of wildlife, it involved up-scale hotels and condos at the base of the mountains and a few fine dining experi-ences. Having a disability can

saw many family and friends. It reminds me of the days of my childhood when we would take a trip to Mon-tana periodically from my home state of Minnesota. We would stop at all the KOA campgrounds or state parks and put up our tent, some-times in the dark, and hope

This summer we decided to have a good old fash-

ion traveling vacation. For two weeks Jim, Janelle, and I trekked across the coun-try and put 7,000 miles on our van! We enjoyed God’s creation from the Badlands, The Black Hills, The Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone, and

Life is a HolidayBY RHONETTE HUKILL

Caregiver Conversations

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Caregiver Conversations

make it difficult to “camp,” so although I love the idea of a tent and campfire burn-ing, Jim would never hear of it. In fact, when I think of several of our friends who cannot travel as a result of disability, I feel so privileged that we had this experience. So although we didn’t have

marshmallows by the fire, the result of our two weeks away was some serious needed refreshment, expe-riences that pictures can’t even describe, and memories that will last a life time!

My lesson in all of this is that I often don’t take the time needed to refresh let alone look for moments of memories in my busy day. Often, I get so wrapped up in my to-do list and all the things needed for Jim’s care that I miss the memory mo-ment that may be right in front of me. Yesterday I drove by a convenience store. There was a cute little man sitting on one of those fold out walkers. Next to him was a girl about my age sitting on a bucket. What was so amaz-ing to me about this picture was not just the excitement on the man’s face as he waved his arms and told his story, but the appearance of the girl who was listening attentively at his side and seemed to be in no hurry to be anywhere. If that had been me on that bucket, I

would have been thinking about all the things I needed to get done and may have been a little agitated that this man was taking up my precious time. So selfish!

As I return from a relaxing vacation, it is my goal to view life as one big holiday with many memories to be cap-tured or created and perhaps that to-do list can wait for a rainy day. Our lives are so short on this earth. Won’t you join me in taking a step back to see what moments we may be missing as life goes flying by?

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. – Proverbs 19:21

RHONETTE HUKILL has been a full-time caregiver to her wonder-ful husband, Jim, for over 18 years. Together, by God’s grace, they face the everyday challenges of life with disability.

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Brenda (a mom): From the moment we arrive, I become aware that we are in a place like none other. As my family is greeted in what can only be described as a celebration, I am immediately struck by the love that permeates the at-mosphere. Instantly, my fear of camping with two children with disabilities melts away and I am at peace. The ascent has already begun to take ef-fect.

Later as our guide leads us in a tour of the camp grounds that will be our home for the next few days, I am amused and delighted to meet Spazy Louise, an unforgettable wom-an, who has joined us on our venture to get closer to God. Like her, I’m just a simple wom-an who has also come seeking the face of the One I love.

Each day at camp brings new joys and awakenings and somewhere between daily worship services, private mo-ments of prayer, and group activities, I witness the subtle changes taking place in myself and others. I become increas-

ingly more aware that what we are experiencing is a sense of belonging. At first I wonder if this is a rare glimpse of heaven often denied mortal man and now I know that it must be.

Sometime during our stay, I arrive at a deeper understand-ing of the strength and beauty inherent in each one of the families living with disabilities and for the first time in a very long time I realize that I am not alone as I ascend the heights of love. With eyes wide open, I am awed at the glory mani-fested in a woman, unable to walk, soaring through the air like a wild bird of paradise. I am made speechless by the gentle hands of a gifted sculptor as she spends her days creating masterpieces from memory. I am witness to the sheer joy that dances across the faces of families marked by disability, while we partake in the messi-

2012What people are saying...

Family

est of all games, life. And live we do.

For a few days we live out loud. We lay aside the every-day worries and complications that often come with disabili-ties and we have the time of our lives. Returning again next year is our only option. That decision was made before we had packed our last bag and said our last good bye. Next year when we arrive again, ready to rest, recharge, and re-fill our spirits, I look forward to seeing the new and old faces that will make camp seem like a few days spent in heaven.

Dayle (a Crew Member): Lift Disability Network’s Break-away Retreat was one of the most impactful experiences for my 19-year old son, Grant, and my lives. The week involved both he and I being paired with an entire family whose child has a disability. After a crash

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Familycourse filled with professional and God-directed leadership, teamwork exercises, and out-right fun, we learned to assist the entire family with enjoy-ing four days of exciting expe-riences interwoven with our theme of “Ascent.” It was pure summertime fun: horseback riding, adaptive tree climbing, swimming, boating, outdoor and indoor gaming, fishing, kite building and flying. The climax was a messaged bal-loon release and a sea plane take off and fly by! God filled our hearts in every way with the message of our journey of hope through Christ as we ascend seeking Him. This was conveyed in Adult Chapel, Children’s lessons, music, and throughout our activities. Eve-nings were filled with special moments on the dance floor, enjoying everyone’s company, and tear-filled standing ova-tions as we watched amazing performances at the talent show performed by our camp-ers. Grant and I walked away from the week energized and renewed in our relationship with Christ and with lifetime friendships with fellow coun-selors, campers, their inspira-tional families, and the mag-nificent Lift Disability Network Leadership team. We plan to return next year with my hus-

band, my 11 year old son and friends whose hearts will be touched like never before. We hope many more at Kensing-ton will come and join in on the fun! You will ascend with us!!

Debi (a mom): As much as I wanted to get up and share with the group at our last chapel, I knew that the mo-ment I opened my mouth all that would come out would be a river of tears. [smile] But I could not let another day pass without sharing my heart. I took with me so much uncon-ditional love from everyone. I was allowed a new level of worship when I watched Tasha beautifully sign to the praise and worship songs during cha-pel. When Pastor Mike spoke, his words calmed my soul and reminded me that I was not in this journey alone with our son. I was reminded that God hears my prayers and that he will bring friends into Joshua’s life who will love and support him the way that Joel sup-ported Timothy during his solo at the talent show. Elmer and Spazy made me laugh out loud (something I had not done in a long time). At the dance, I was reminded of what good taste my Joshua has in the ladies :) (Dani and Sabrena were his fa-vorites).

I was able to spend fun qual-ity time with my children. The laughter of my children as they played and enjoyed all the ac-tivities was priceless. And my little six year old Bekah when she climbed that HUGE tree all the way to the top reminded me that we are at our bravest when we face what we fear...

When Edwin and I took our vows 10 years ago we never imagined we would be the parents of a special needs child nor that we would be celebrat-ing our 10th wedding anniver-sary at a disabilities camp. Cel-ebrating 10 years of marriage at Breakaway was PERFECT!!!!

At Breakaway we became part of an amazing family, one I look forward to spending time with again next year.

SAVE THE DATEJuly 9-13, 2013

To Join us at Break-away 2013 visit our website at: www.liftdisability.net/breakaway.asp

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I had the privilege of serving this summer at the Lift

Disability Network Camp, Breakaway. Our theme this year was “Ascent” and we focused our efforts on pursuing the Lord at a high level looking at Psalm 121. We were able to do Temple Classes surrounding the topic of this article – studying how and in what priority to take care of our body because they are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Among the wonderful group of women we had in attendance, many of them were caregivers. I was amazed at these women’s time and sacrifice. Further, I was keenly aware of the stress they endured on a daily, even minute by minute, basis in their lives.

The care they give to their families really impacted me as I got to know them a little bit each day. The knowledge and attention to detail communicated in love to their family members is impressive and humbling. The Scriptures communicate so clearly the care that the Lord has for us.

Nahum 1:7 says, “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” The word ‘cares’ is translated in the King James Version as “knoweth.” This word further originates from the Hebrew word ‘yada’ which means “to know by seeing, observation, care, recognition, instruction, acknowledge, advise, answer, appoint, comprehend, consider, discern, discover, familiar friend, feel, instruct, kinsman, cause to let make know, take or have know- ledge of, have respect, teach, tell, understand, or have understanding.” Wow! That is how the Lord knows and cares for us! How encouraging and empowering to think that the Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth cares so intimately for each one of us.

Because the Lord cares so immensely for us, even cared enough to create us as a temple of His Holy Spirit, I became intensely aware in these moments of how important it is to take care of our caregivers. My heart

Fitness

is spurred on by them and wanted somehow to serve them in this area of health and fitness. I know their lives are busy, so my goal is for health and fitness to be of easier access for all of them, all of you. We all know how exhausting caregiving can be, even though it is a joyous draining of soul and body. Joyous –truly joyous was what I saw from these amazing servant women. But, how important is it for those of you that have caregivers and for those of you who are caregivers, to take a step back and make sure that the care is also given to the care-giver. That is why this article is dedicated to the health and fitness of Caregiver’s Temples! I hope countless others can apply these exercises as well. So, with simple and very inexpensive equipment that can be used at home, we can ensure the health of our caregivers by making sure they take time out to care for themselves so they may continue to care for others.

The following exercises that can be done at home in as little as 10 minutes per day depending on how you

Caring for the CaregiverBY HEATHER PENNINGTON

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divide them up. So, take a moment, thank God for your caregivers, and encourage them to stop and take care of themselves by doing several easy exercises to build core strength, stability, and flexibility. My hope and prayer for caregivers with this issue is that they will relish in the love and CARE (aka INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE) the Lord has for them. I also hope this leads to a little time for stress relief and strength gain to help our caregivers continue to press on and continue to care so amazingly every day.

HEATHER PENNINGTON MA Ed, CSCS; Personal Training and Fitness Plan-ning/Consulting.

hmp@bellsouth.net

Fitness

1. Wall or Chair Push-ups

Start on wall, body tight and straight. Lower your body as far as possible, pivoting at ankles. Push to straight arms. Repeat for 3 sets of 12-15. Then try a chair as the last set gets easy. Put chair against a wall for support. Next step, move to seat of the chair, and then go to hands and knees on the ground.

2. Stability Ball Walk Out

Start kneeling by ball and roll onto ball on your stomach. Tighten abdominals and walk hands out on floor. Walk as far as comfortable and walk back, keep body very straight and abdominals tight. Repeat 3 sets of 12-15 times.

3. Stability Ball Reverse Hyper: Works back, hamstrings, hip muscles

Control legs through whole range of motion. Do not hyperextend your back. Hips should be in center of ball. Arms and hands support body on ground in front of ball. Repeat leg lift 3 sets of 12-15 times.

4. Stability Ball Leg-Pull: Works Hamstrings, Hip Muscles, Low Back

Start in bridge with feet on ball and legs STRAIGHT and on ball, back on the floor. Maintain balance and good body control. Keep your body in line and bend knees in, tightening hamstrings and hip muscles. Do a hip thrust, straighten legs and repeat 3 sets of 12-15.

5. Tubing Lat Pull down (Seated or Standing): Works Latissimus Dorsi (Back)

Start with tubing anchored high in a door jam or somewhere high and secure. Start with arms straight and pull down, squeezing shoulder blades together and pulling elbows down by sides. Repeat to straight arms 3 sets of 12 -15.

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Community

We’ve all heard the phrase “thinking outside the box.” It’s the classic, even clichéd, call to creativity heard

in offices, boardrooms, and classrooms everywhere.

Teachers of students with intellectual disabilities fol-low that phrase by thinking, “Hmmmm… what box? Was I given a box?”

How does someone teach a classroom of students who may not understand basic math concepts? Who may have sensory issues related to touch or sound? Who may have ADHD and struggle to sit still, or may have autism and need stillness around them?

Creativity: Life Without a Box

The list of disabilities teachers must consider when planning their lessons changes with each student, with every class, year after year after year. There is no norm and no box.

No norm and no box? No walls? No boundaries to think within or lines to color within? That sounds like the perfect situation for imagination to flourish and teachers to get creative. Here’s one story of creativity blossom-ing in the classroom:

When we first met Rachel, she was a withdrawn young woman with autism who couldn’t handle noise, didn’t make eye contact and was uncomfortable around other people. Over time, as Rachel adjusted to school and learned to love the college staff, we found out that Rachel liked to write and illustrate stories, and was actu-ally gifted at it. Her Horticulture teacher saw Rachel’s personal-ity shine in her stories and began encouraging her to use this gift in the classroom. Rachel developed a character, Flower Fairy Rachel, and this character became the vehicle for Rachel to communicate all she

BY SUSAN GRIFFIS

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Community

learned to her teacher. Flower Fairy Rachel would fly through gardens describing the color and scent of flowers, the height of plants, the insects that were attracted to the flowers, and the names of the flora in the garden. In this creative way, the Horticulture teacher could see that Rachel was gaining

the information she needed to succeed outside of the classroom.

Rachel just graduated this year with a certificate of completion in Horticulture.

Where there is disability, there is creativity and at Shepherds College, creativity is the norm.

SUSAN GRIFFIS , is the Director of Marketing for Shepherds College, a faith-based, accredited school for young adults with intellectual disabilities. To learn more about Shepherds College, visit the website at www.shepherdscollege.org

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A Pastoral Lift

We with a physical disability that causes us the limitation of being able to walk

and carry a loved one in our arms have to look for creative ways to do things.

I’m the proud grandfather of two small grand-daughters, Riley who is 3 1/2years old and Kara who turned 1 this past July 13th. I have the potential to feel bad because I can’t get down on the floor and play with them. I can’t throw them up in the air and catch them. I have to leave that up to her other grandfa-ther.

Does it hurt sometimes? Yes it does. I re-member a while back when my 35 year old son, the father of my grandkids, had a party at his home. My daughter-in-law had her par-ents their too. I happened to look out the back window to the yard and saw my daughter-in-law’s father pushing Riley on her swing set. I, in a weaker moment, felt a painful tinge in my heart, that wasn’t from indigestion. I felt a bit down that I couldn’t be the one out there do-ing that.

But just a moment, I have something at my disposal that other grandpa’s don’t, my power-chair. I can fascinate my grand-daugh-ter with having her jump on the back of my power-chair and hold on while I drive her all

Carrying a Grand-daughter on the Back of a Power-Chair

around the house. She often say’s, “give me a ride, Papa,” (that’s what she calls me).

Sometimes she doesn’t want to get off. She’s fascinated by it. At her pre-school party, a few weeks ago at church, she asked me to drive her around on my motorized wheelchair. She was so happy to show off for her little friends. Who else could do this? She did the same at a restaurant recently too.

It reminds me of a scripture passage in Mat-thew 11:28-30- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

BY REV. KENNETH M. DIGNAN, Th.D.

23www.liftdisability.net

REV. KEN DIGNAN, Th.D.is the Lift Disability Ministry Pastor and Founder/Director of THC/Ken Dignan Ministries. Ken and Joni have been married for 34 years and have 4 sons, Andy, Patrick, the late Ryan, and Britt.

www.thcmin.org

A Pastoral Lift

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

It’s as if Jesus was telling us, “when you’re weary, tired or burdened down get on my power-chair, hold on and I’ll carry you around.”

We who have physical disabilities can make the best situation out of a challenging and painful circumstance. We must learn to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ and use whatever we have to give Him glory.

BOATING*FISHING*ARCHERY*KAYAKING*

ART*CRAFTS*GAMES*FOODWHATFREE event for individuals and families living with disabilities. Come enjoy God’s great outdoors!

WHENSaturday, November 10, 2012Event Hours - 10am to 2pmVolunteer Check-In - 8:30am

WHEREBill Breeze Park on Lake Starke1 South Lakeshore Drive, Ococc, FL 34761

Register to Volunteer or Particiapte at:www.access-life.org or call (214) 893-9056

BOATING*FISHING*ARCHERY*KAYAKING *ART*CRAFTS*GAMES*FOOD

WHAT FREE event for individuals and families living with disabilities. Come enjoy God’s great outdoors!

WHEN Saturday November 10, 2012 Event Hours – 10am to 2pm Volunteer Check-In – 8:30am

WHERE Bill Breeze Park on Lake Starke 1 South Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761

Register to Volunteer or Participate at: www.access-life.org or call (214) 893-9056

24 www.liftdisability.net

Dad’s Den

So, part of our family was away this sum-mer at “camp” — we spent the week par-

ticipating in “Breakaway” the disability family retreat sponsored by our friends at Lift Dis-ability Network.

It was great to have Mary come this year, and even more cool to have Shoshanah and Josiah serve on the “crew” helping families. But perhaps most fun was that our oldest daughter, Jessica, joined us for the week. It

Silent Impact

took a lot of logistical planning (transporta-tion, medicines, food, and care planning), but it worked.

Jessica, who lives with severe and profound mental and physical disabilities, had a great time – enjoying the music and people, a fun-filled, laughter-filled boat ride (first time!), a long, relaxing swim in the pool, and all the other events (a “starry night dance,” ice cream social, “messy games” and so much more).

BY MIKE BEATES

25www.liftdisability.net

DR. MIKE BEATES is a husband of one (Mary); the father of seven (Jessica, Jameson, Abraham, Abbie, Shoshanah, Eli, and Joe); and, in God’s kind providence, a teacher of many. Presently his teaching is restricted to students at The Geneva School in Winter Park, Fla. and at Belhaven University in Orlando.

Dad’s Den

But more surprising was her impact on oth-ers. She never says a word – she just shows up – and people are affected. Numerous people on the crew testified to her impact on their lives. One was asked about the most impor-tant part of the week. This person said one word: “Jessica.” Now I have to admit, that it puzzles me – but it shouldn’t because I often tell people that God hardly ever does things the way we expect and He almost never uses the people we think He would use to achieve His ends. He is in the business of using those more often over-looked, rejected, and mar-ginalized by the culture to achieve His plans.

We saw this truth again this week with Jessica. Searching my own blog, I see that I

wrote something kind of similar back in Janu-ary – but it has been worth noting again. The young lady continues to surprise me with her silent impact on her world. Thanks be to God!

(You can see Mike’s blog at: http://mikebeates.wordpress.com/).

elevating life in the disability familywww.liftdisability.net