Erasing the Margins Through Film

I think one of the best things we can do is continually educate ourselves.  Sometimes I can take a course, quite often I read a book, and then there are times I relax and watch a movie.  I can learn something new about the challenges and the joys of someone living with a disability from each of them.  I won't endorse any of these movies because I haven't seen them all, but I thought I would share my movie list with you.

Wonder (2017)
Me Before You (2016)
Where Hope Grows (2015)
Margarita With a Straw (2014)
On The Way To School (2014)
The Theory of Everything (2014)
Rust and Bone (2012)
The Sessions (2012)
The Untouchables (2011)
See What I'm Saying:  The Deaf Entertainers Documentary (2010)
Front of the Class (2008)
Praying With Lion (2008)
Quid Pro Quo (2008)
The Diving Bill and the Butterfly (2007)
Music Within (2007)
Tara Zameen Par (2007)
Black (2005)
Murderball (2005)
The Ringer (2005)
Aaltra (2004)
Rory O-Shea Was Here (2004)
Touch the Sound (2004)
My Flesh and Blood (2003)
Radio (2003)
Door to Door (2002)
Oasis (2002)
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
I Am Sam (2001)
Miracle In Lane 2 (2000)
Sound and Fury (2000)
King Gimp (1999)
The Other Sister (1999)
The Mighty (1998)
The Theory of Flight (1998)
The Eighth Day (1996)
What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
Educating Peter (1992)
The Waterdance (1992)
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
My Left Foot (1989)
Gaby:  A True Story (1987)
Children of a Lesser God (1986)
Mask (1985)
Annie's Coming Out (1984)
The Elephant Man (1980)
Son-Rise:  A Miracle of Love (1979)
Coming Home (1978)
The Other Side of the Mountain (1978)
Charly (1968)
The Miracle Worker (1962)
The Men (1950)
Johnny Belinda (1948)
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

This is only the "tip of the iceberg."  There are so many great movies out there.  Send me your favorites and I will add them to the list.  I have bolded the ones I have already seen.

Since I Turned 50...

Since I turned 50, not in any specific order but as they came to me...

I attended the weddings of my beautiful daughters
I welcomed my little Tolkien into the world
I retired from teaching
I started an LLC
I designed a website
I got my first pair of hearing aids
I ordered a logo
I took Mental Health First Aid
I attended a conference on mental health
I spoke on a radio show
I met (via Skype) with an inspiring young man in Rwanda
I started a blog
I said goodbye to one of my favorite women in the world
I attended my daughter's college graduation
I attended my daughter's graduation with her Master's degree
I taught my granddaughter how to read
I learned how to play PIG with my grandson and actually won a few games
I asked my grandson to teach me Spanish
I wrote the plans for my funeral (they are on my desktop should anyone need them)
I faced one of my biggest fears and started public speaking
I wrote and published my first book
I wrote and published my second book
I went to San Francisco with my sweet husband
I went up and down the Oregon coast with him
I started dreaming new dreams
I became a certified teacher for Beyond Suffering 
I flew to California to be in the presence of one of my heroes, Joni Eareckson Tada
I reconnected with another hero, the lady that loved me through the teenage years.  She and her husband told me about the Lord so many years ago
I moved my mom into independent living and asked her for advice
I moved my mom into assisted living and learned from her wisdom
I found my third grade teacher in Dallas, I took her some flowers and thanked her for being my favorite
I hopped on a plane and flew to Arizona to thank my first employer for investing in me
I told my dad I miss him about a million times and then I found something to do that would bring a smile to his face
I told my mother-in-law I loved her, it was ok to go and we would all be ok... and then I sang "Jesus Loves Me" to her
I lamented over two broken relationships from high school and college.  I tried to connect with them and fix whatever happened.  I couldn't but I tried.
I asked a lady on a plane to share her story with me and I learned what it was like to survive a concentration camp, as well as the flashbacks
I looked in the mirror and thought about dyeing my hair again but practicality won
I started the "Ultimate Bucket List" book and have completed 1/4 of them (someday I will check off skinny dipping!)
I watched my grandson play with the wind
I looked in the mirror and stared at the wrinkles spreading out from the corners of my eyes, but now   I have decided they are no longer wrinkles but stories I haven't shared yet

Most of all, my friendship and awe of God have grown in ways I never imagined...

The list is still growing!  The purpose of this list is not to brag or lament but to share with those of you that are dreading 40, 50, or 60... hey, it is not all bad.  There are a lot of freedoms and opportunities after 50.  It excites me to think about all of the opportunities! Yes, there are some hard realities of life but the joys outweigh them.  Cherish the freedoms and explore the possibilities!

I love checking off my bucket list but I am reserving three for when the end is almost near and Bill has specific instructions!  When I am about to kick that 'ol bucket, bring me a piece of cheesecake and take me skydiving and finally, if I am laid out in a casket, sew a large SIZE 2 label in my shirt for everyone to see!

The Irresistible Church and Serving The Elderly

The organization, Joni and Friends, has been part of my life for many years.  I remember watching the movie, Joni, as a young woman.  After a diving accident Joni's life was affected by quadriplegia.  She has lived in a wheelchair for 50 years now but she has let God use her disability for His glory, in powerful ways, around the world.

I have loved reading Joni's books, taking her course, Beyond Suffering, and teaching children about her ministry for years.  I feel honored to have the opportunity to share my heart on their blog, The Irresistible Church.  Join me on The Irresistible Church and the path I am currently walking, Serving The Elderly In Your Church.

http://irresistiblechurch.org/serving-elderly-church/

Freedom in Aging

It is a rather nostalgic week for us.  I had my 56th birthday, Bill had his 58th, and we will celebrate our 32nd wedding anniversary in a few days.

In the last year I have had moments of being overwhelmed by aging...seeing wrinkles appear overnight, my hair is no longer grey but is now turning white, and the double chin thing, I won't even go into that!

Over the last month, however, our small group has been walking through the issues of aging and my perspective has changed.  We have been watching videos Bill and I have produced on Insights Into Aging Parents and Loss.  They will be part of a course we are going to offer with tips on the emotional and practical aspects of supporting aging parents.

We have also been reading, Improving With Age by Stuart and Jill Briscoe, in an effort to prepare for our own aging.  We have looked at some of the difficult issues.  How will we respond to an acquired disability if that happens?  Do we have our affairs in order?  What does retirement mean?  Should we ever retire?

We have also looked at the great aspects of aging.  It has changed my outlook as I look at the freedoms of aging.

• Freedom to seek and fulfill God's calling on my life.
• Freedom financially.  We have what we need and we don't feel the pressure to compete or keep up with anyone.
• Freedom from the decisions of parenting to enjoying the intense joy of loving and spoiling our children and grandchildren.
• More freedom to just sit back and enjoy... everything.
• Freedom from boredom or questioning what to do.
• The freedom to take courses I am interested in without the pressure of grades or acquiring debt.  
• And the freedom of knowing I am at the right place at the right time.

Since I retired from teaching a year and a half ago, I have been living with this mindset but the Briscoes summed it up well for me.  What books need to be read, what topics need to be learned, what skills could be developed, what service could I offer, what needs should I meet, which people should I seek to know-all of which would yield a productive use of my leisure time?

I realize to some Bill and I are still very young and yet to others we are the young old.  Just as I always told our children, Do not let life just happen to you.  Plan it.  That is how I feel about this next half or third of my life, Do not let aging just happen, plan it! And in addition to that, ENJOY IT!

Support For Disability Ministry

One of the great blessings I have every month is leading a Joni and Friends meeting every month for area directors and volunteers of special needs ministry.  Every month we have two hours of fellow-

ship, encouragement and discussion on interesting topics pertaining to disability ministry.   If you live in the Austin area or are visiting, we would love to have you join us.  Below are some of the topics we have covered that may be helpful to you.

In addition, you have a topic you would love to present to our group, we would love to hear from you!

You may contact me at gracewithoutmargins@aol.com or call 512-673-0187.

Joni and Friends 

First Monday Presentations

November 2017  
BiG (Brookwood in Georgetown)         
Presented by Erin Kiltz

October 2017  
My Father’s Eyes                 
Presented by Sheila Allee

September 2017  
Theology of Disability         
Presented by Topher Endress

August 2017  
It’s So Much Work to Be Your Friend (DVD) 
Presented by Richard D. Lavoie

        

July 2017         
How Difficult Can This Be? Understanding Learning Disabilities (DVD)
Presented by Richard D. Lavoie

May 2017  
Call Me Friend:  Building Compelling Relationships Through One-On-One Ministry (Book Discussion)

Written by Joni and Friends

April 2017  
Ministering to the Whole Family         
Presented by Amy Edwards

March 2017  
Being A Safe Place For Caregivers  
Presented by Mary Stephens, PhD

February 2017  
Autism:  Associating Neuroanatomy With Observable Behaviors
Presented by Bill Boggess

January 2017  
Spiritual and Teaching Tips For Down Syndrome 
Presented by Jeanette Holahan

December 2016  
We’ve Got This!:  Providing Respite for Families (Book Discussion)
Written by Joni and Friends

November 2016  
Engaging Game Changers: Recruiting and Coaching Volunteers for Disability Ministry (Book Discussion)
Written by Joni and Friends

October 2016  
Start With Hello:  Introducing Your Church to Special Needs Ministry (Book Discussion)
Written by Joni and Friends

September 2016  
Introductory Meeting at La Madeline  
Presented by Deana Boggess

Mobility Worldwide

Last week I had the opportunity to interview John Rudd.  John is the president for Mobility Worldwide®, TX-Austin, previously known as Personal Energy Transportation.

Mobility Worldwide has 26 shops around the United States.  They have been able to assemble 70,000 hand powered wheelchairs (called PET® carts) and ship them to 100 different countries.  About 700 of the carts have been built from scratch and assembled in Austin, Texas.

Mobility Worldwide is committed to serving people in remote areas where there aren't paved roads and sidewalks and the wheelchair has to navigate dirt, mud, and rocks.  Their hand powered cart is designed in such a way that it can endure rough roads and pathways a little easier.

I encourage you to take a look at their website,http://mobilityworldwide.org, and learn more about their ministry and efforts to give people the gift of mobility.  They have great opportunities to volunteer and become involved.  Parts need to be cut, painted, assembled and packaged.  It takes approximately 30 volunteer hours for each hand-powered cart.  In addition, they could use financial support.  Each cart costs $300 in materials, plus the cost of shipping. The recipients of the wheelchairs receive them free of charge.

If you know a church, ministry, or organization that could benefit from Mobility Worldwide, they can apply to become a distribution partner and help change lives.  If you are looking for a great service project and a great group of people to work with, give them a call.

Congratulations, Shelly!

It was exciting to have our 30,000th visitor on our blog.  

It was interesting to read the results of our survey.  

And it was FUN to draw our winner, Shelly Corbin, and congratulate her over a cup of coffee.

I had actually met Shelly Corbin a couple of times and from what people have shared with me, she is the kind of person everyone wants to be friends with.  She loves the Lord, she loves people, and she is a whole lot of fun!

Shelly and I met for coffee last week so I could give her the prizes she had won, our book Grace Without Margins and the opportunity to take each of our courses as they are released. I told her about  the resources available to her through Grace Without Margins.  After that, I wanted to hear her story.

For years I had the privilege of teaching five and six-year-olds how to read.  When it all comes together for them and they realize the new world that has opened up for them by knowing how to read, their face is filled with excitement.  That is what I saw in Shelly. 

God has opened up a whole new adventure for Shelly in special needs ministry.  She feels young and ill-equipped, but I think that is the best place to be.  She is full of wonder, is asking questions, and enjoying the journey and that is exciting!  She already has the best qualification, LOVE.  I look forward to checking in with her in a year and hearing all of the stories!

Congratulations, Shelly!  It is going to be an amazing ride!

My Father's Eyes by Sheila Allee

Today we held our Joni and Friends First Monday meeting.  I love every person sitting around the table.  We have a variety of personalities, ages, histories, and expressions of faith, but we have two things in common, a love for our Lord and a commitment to welcome, include, and value people of all abilities in our church communities.

This month we had a special guest join us, Sheila Allee.  Sheila has been a journalist, a corporate and political speechwriter and the executive director of the Writer's League of Texas.  The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation has been blessed to have her as a former spokesperson.  

Sheila shared her most recent book, My Father's Eyes, which won the 2015 Barbara Jordan Media Award for positive depictions of people with disabilities.  In My Father's Eyes, Sheila shares about her friendship with her Uncle Melrose.  Uncle Melrose lived almost 60 years in a  state institution.  Sheila didn't know about him until the last 10 years of his life.  As she spent time with him and developed a friendship with him, he had a huge impact on her and her understanding of living with disabilities.

During the presentation Sheila also shared the history of how individuals have been treated in the recent history of the United States.  It is a history that we all need to be reminded of and learn from.  Sheila is a great resource for helping your church understand the value of individuals that happen to have a disability and the blessing they are to the church family.  I highly encourage you to read her book and invite her to share with your church family.

You may contact Sheila at:  sheila.allee@att.net, 512-983-7636 or www.sheilaalleebooks.com.

I would like to introduce you to Topher Endress, Minister of Education at University Christian Church in Austin.  It has been a blessing to get to know him through the Joni and Friends meetings I lead each month.  Topher has such a supportive and compassionate heart for people, but I have been particularly impressed by his commitment to support people affected by disabilities.  If you ever need a great speaker on the "Theology of Disabilities,"  I would encourage you to invite him.  He not only holds your attention, but he expands your understanding of what it means to be created in the image of God.

I recently discovered one of Topher's hidden treasures, his videos on inclusivity in the church.  I think you will find them thought provoking in such a way that it will broaden your perspective.  The videos would be great to share with your congregation and ministry teams.  I have posted one of the videos for you but you can find additional clips on YouTube under Topher Endress.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjk72kcpDNk

I hope you will find ways to include this great resource in your ministry area.