BOOKS FOR LIFE
39
Disability and inclusion
by Krish Kandiah
I know a little about what it feels like to be excluded . The pupils at the schools I attended as a child were constantly telling me to ‘ go black home ’ or sending other racist slurs in my direction . I grew up thinking I didn ’ t really belong . Just as I struggled to fit in at school , I also struggled to fit in at church : it seemed to me to be a place full of white people teaching me Bible stories illustrated with yet more white people . What a difference it would have made to me to realise back then that most of my Bible heroes had brown skin just like mine .
Reflecting on this recently , my wife and I have written two children ’ s books . The first celebrates Bible characters from all around the world with all sorts of skin-shades . The second celebrates Bible characters who seem to have disabilities – not the people that get healed , but the ones who God chose to do amazing things , just the way they were . This second book was inspired by an array of children in our lives – as foster parents we have cared for many with visible and invisible disabilities . I wanted them to see themselves in the Bible , and know that God loves , welcomes and uses people with a wide range of abilities .
Reading around this subject area , I have come across some excellent books that can help us to make sure our churches are inclusive , considerate and welcoming communities . Here are my top two recommendations .
AT THE GATES
Naomi Lawson Jacobs and Emily Richardson ( DLT , 2022 )
‘ As long as there has been a Church , disabled people have been part of the Church . Jesus ’ s mission to the marginalised brought him close to those who knew the stigma that came with illness and impairment , those we would today call disabled . Yet for many disabled people today , the Church is a tower built in the shadow of disability injustice .’
These stark words in the introduction were enough to grab my attention and keep it for the whole of this challenging book . In the first half , Jacobs and Richardson help us to think beyond physical access to churches , to accessible church cultures and the ministry and service of disabled people . In the second half , they make space for ‘ disabled prophets ’ to speak , giving us valuable insights from those who are experts by experience . Naomi Lawson Jacobs has a PhD in Study of Religions from SOAS and an MA in Disability Studies from the University of Leeds , works as a social policy researcher in the charity sector and in churches , and has written widely on the subject of disability justice and society , including for the Guardian and Lacuna . Emily Richardson works for a large church as communication coordinator and has spoken on inclusive communication at various church events .
MY BODY IS NOT A PRAYER REQUEST
Amy Kenny ( Baker , 2022 )
I have spent time at Christian conferences and services with a friend of mine who is a wheelchair user . I have watched as she has explained to passersby that no , she doesn ’ t need prayer , yes , she is trusting God and again , no thank you , she still doesn ’ t need anyone to pray for her . Amy Kenny obviously has had a similar experience . I wonder if the striking title of this book was first planned for a T-shirt she could wear to a Christian festival . Her whole book packs a similar punch . In powerful searing prose , she challenges us to rethink our poor theology and weak pastoral practice when it comes to relating to people with disabilities . Listen to how she describes herself in the light of it : ‘ I am what every athlete fears and what pregnant parents dread . I am the catalyst for losing faith and questioning God . Theodicy runs through my veins . I am every villain in every superhero movie ever made . People call my murderers “ merciful ” because I am a burden and a drain and a waste . I am disabled .’ Kenny then goes on to show how she has wrestled with the worst of what the church has to offer , and how she still perseveres in faith . Her voice demands our attention . This book is a must-read .
Krish Kandiah
Dr Krish Kandiah is the Director of Afghan Welcome www . afghanwelcome . org and Director of Sanctuary Foundation www . sanctuaryfoundation . org . uk . Whistlestop Tales – Around the World with 10 Extraordinary Children by Krish and Miriam Kandiah is available from Hodder Young Explorers . Twitter
@ krishk