Embracing Members with Special Needs

It is often difficult to know how to meet the needs of individuals and families whose lives are affected by disabilities, but there are many things we can do to help.

Individual ward members have perhaps the greatest opportunity for helping members with disabilities feel accepted and loved at church. Although Adam may have the mental capacity of a five-year-old, ward members who treat him according to his actual age give him the gift of respect.

When my youngest son turned eight and was ready to be baptized, our bishop helped him prepare, even drawing pictures on his office chalkboard to explain difficult concepts to my son during his baptismal interview. Later, when my oldest son was preparing to receive the priesthood, our bishop ensured that the priesthood interview would be a positive experience by taking him out for ice cream during the week and discussing the upcoming interview in a more relaxed setting.