Stories, Statistics, Solutions: Towards Understanding and Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities

This book has been very enlightening for me to read. It gives the perspective of many individuals who are disabled in some way and living with that disability. They tell their stories, providing insight into their lives. But it’s not just about their stories. They also give advice, speak about their faith, and tell us what we should know about them to better incorporate them into our lives, work, and faith communities. The stories constitute most of the book. In addition, a good discussion of solutions provides some practical advice for listening better and incorporating those with disabilities into faith communities. The practical advice is not limited to faith communities but can also be applied to other situations where one works with people.

I believe this book has a lot to offer to the reader. However, alongside its many strengths, I also have some critiques about certain notions or language that are put forth, such as ableism, racialized society, access justice, or entitlement. Ableism is considered as discrimination against those who are less able and creates a dichotomy between people who are able and not able. This seems too simplistic and vague to me and perhaps an unhelpful way of thinking. We all have limits to our abilities, and to quote one of the story writers, “I would want to be as able and strong as I could be.” I do agree with helping those with disabilities attain the access they need to be more included and able to participate in our communities and lives. Access justice is an ideal and is not achievable. It can only be strived for. In faith, we each have a responsibility to help our neighbor in need, just as a parent is responsible for their children, to care for and love them. This is born out of free will rather than any sense of entitlement.

Overall, I believe there is much to gain from this book and its stories. These stories can help us develop new perspectives and appreciation for those with disabilities and better relate with them.