Jesus' love no barrier to people with disability
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Jesus' love no barrier to people with disability
3 December 2022
Auxiliary-Lieutenant Karen Clark came into officership with nearly three decades of experience as a special education teacher.
Today is International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). It is a United Nations-observed day celebrated internationally on 3 December each year. It aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions. IDPwD is an opportunity for us to make positive changes to the lives of the 4.4 million Australians with a disability.
When my husband and I began our ‘new life’ as auxiliary-lieutenants and moved to the Sunshine Coast to become the officers at Caloundra Corps, it meant I would be leaving behind 27 years of working as a special education teacher.
As an inexperienced 20-year-old, I had started out teaching at a special school in Brisbane, working with teenagers who had intellectual impairments as they transitioned from the school world into the ‘real world’. The following year, I was fortunate enough to transfer into the speciality area I had trained for – teaching children who were blind or had low vision. Many settings and many students later, it was quite a difficult thing to say goodbye to this familiar world.
But God knows me so well. In his kindness, he has sent many more people across my path since we have been here in Caloundra and allowed me to see the unique needs of a wider range of people. He still gives me some familiar interactions that I treasure.
Karen says she takes great delight in supporting children with disabilities.
Within weeks of starting at Caloundra, I met four-year-old Casey, whose family were experiencing tough times. Offering financial and practical support to the family was a privilege. Spending time with this little guy who had multiple disabilities, including a vision impairment and being hard of hearing, was an absolute delight. Seeing his progress over the past four years has been a blessing!
I love the way that God has created us all so differently. Many of us have areas where our ability to communicate, understand, or gain access can affect how we engage. The barriers that may get in the way for those with different abilities can never stop our access to the love of Jesus.
As Jesus’ followers, we are given opportunities to be his servants, to be his hands and feet. Being ready and available to show love can make all the difference in the life of a person with a disability. To show genuine love and kindness speaks volumes to a family who may be facing some great challenges.
I thank God for his calling upon my life. I know that however things change for me, it has always been and will always be about sharing his love with others – of all abilities.
Auxiliary-Lieutenant Karen Clark is a corps officer at Caloundra in Queensland. She is also a member of The Salvation Army All Abilities Inclusion Working Group.
For more information on IDPwD, visit the website at: https://www.idpwd.com.au/
Find out more about disability inclusion in The Salvation Army by contacting Joseph Pinkard (National Disability Inclusion Lead) at joseph.pinkard@salvationarmy.org.au
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