Life as a Christian with Multiple Disabilities

My identity as a Christian has always been central to my life. Lately, I’ve been getting more active on Mastodon, the social network I post to most often. As I’ve started commenting on other people’s posts, I’ve found myself in situations where I need to defend my faith and beliefs, which is challenging for me.

After a recent conversation that left me feeling anxious and frustrated, I felt motivated to write about what life is like for me as a Christian with multiple disabilities. I want to start by sharing a little about my background and where I am in my faith journey.

Growing Up

I was raised in a nondenominational Christian family. While we didn’t read the Bible regularly at home, I had a Braille version of the King James Bible. When my sisters and I were young, my mom took us to a local church for Sunday school every week. I was always very spiritual and loved learning about Christ, trying to follow Him to the best of my ability.

A Faith-Affirming Experience with God

When I was sixteen, I started experiencing severe pain in my right eye, the only eye I had some vision in, since I lost my left eye to retinal detachment when I was two. This experience led to a powerful affirmation of my faith and God’s presence in my life.

Eight Years in a Cult

In 2014, I found myself in a particularly vulnerable situation. I was struggling with untreated chronic pain from fibromyalgia, and my Medicaid had been cut off. During this challenging time, Mormon missionaries knocked on my door, leading to an eight-year involvement with the church.

Experiences since leaving Mormonism

After leaving the Mormon church, my mom and I decided to visit a Baptist church. Initially, things went well, but we encountered new challenges that left us questioning our faith and feeling distant from the supportive community we sought.

I Still Have Questions, but I know I’m a Christian

Despite my journey, I still grapple with many questions. I wonder which denomination aligns best with my beliefs, and I often find reading the Bible challenging. Yet, amid these struggles, I hold firmly to my identity as a Christian and my belief in God’s love for me.

To Pastors and Other Christians

I remain hopeful that I will find a Christian community that embraces me and others like me. To pastors and fellow Christians, I encourage you to be mindful of those who might need extra support on their faith journeys.

1. Facilitate gatherings for disabled members to support each other in their faith journeys.
2. Provide accessible resources such as Braille, large print, or electronic versions of materials.
3. Be compassionate toward those with mental health challenges and avoid labeling anxiety as a sin.
4. Embrace and respect those who identify as aromantic or asexual, treating them with kindness and understanding.
5. Help individuals see how biblical teachings are relevant to their lives, recognizing that some may find it challenging to relate to scripture.
6. Communicate honestly with those seeking assistance, ensuring transparency about what help can be offered.