LDS Disability News

Disability Page on the Official Newsroom of the Church

This week the Church has published a Disabilities page that goes over many of the ways that the Church includes and welcomes members with disabilities.

From the new Disability page:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strives to ensure that all within its reach, including those with disabilities, are valued and welcomed.”

The Untold Story of Mormon Pioneers with Disabilities

The Church News has provided an excellent review of this presentation available here.

As part of the Men and Women of Faith series sponsored by the Church History Library Dr. Bryce Fifield will be giving a presentation titled The Untold Story of Mormon Pioneers with Disabilities on June 14, 2012 at 7:00 PM at the Church Office Building Main Floor Auditorium.

Made with LOVE Video

From BYU Magazine, a an article and video about BYU Special Education graduate student Patricia D. Lund who is doing some incredible work with her students in developing their vocational skills.

The article titled Made with Love is available from BYU Magazine. The products produced by the students can be purchased at Success Through Love.

Special Education Faculty Position Announcement at Brigham Young University

The Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education at Brigham Young University is hiring for a faculty position, moderate to severe disabilities. If you are interested in the position you can download the job description here. If you now anyone else who might be interested, please help share the news.

Far Different Places: A Musical Fireside

Kyle Woodruff has worked with Janice Kapp Perry and Joy Saunders Lundberg to organize a musical fireside based on the album Far Different Places.

The fireside will feature Michael and Ben Ballam and many gifted musicians with disabilities. It will be presented through song, ASL, enhanced audio, closed captions and braille.Here are the details:

Part-time Service Mission Opportunity: Assistant to Disability Services

Are you interested helping the Disability Services office at the Church Office building? If you are retired or have 15-25 hours a week, please check out this listing for an assistant to Disability Services. The post reads:

(dis)Abilities and the Gospel: How to Bring People with Special Needs Closer to Christ

Danyelle Ferguson and Lynn Parsons released a book this summer titled (dis)Abilities and the Gospel: How to Bring People with Special Needs Closer to Christ. I have wanted to make a big announcement with a detailed review ever since, but since that has not happened yet, I at least wanted to make sure that people are aware and will point you to some other book reviews.

Father Tells The Process of Learning that His Son Has Asperger's Syndrome

Josh, over at Modern Mormon Men the Manly Mommy Blog provides a heartfelt recounting of how their family came to understand that one of their sons has Asperger's Syndrome and how it has affected their family. He recounts some advice given to him by a friend:

See the Good in Brady Thompson

"Brady has hundreds of seizures everyday, yet strengthens his community."

Story of Ethan, a Young Man with Autism Passing the Sacrament

The father of a Ethan, a young man with autism begins his story by recounting a visit from their bishop to discuss their son receiving the priesthood:

"Well, as we sat and discuss this for nearly an hour, Bishop Noble said (and I'm paraphrasing), "I think we should ordain Ethan. Not just for him, but for the ward. I think it would be a great thing for the ward to be able to see him passing the sacrament and experience him. In fact, I hope he does have a meltdown while passing the sacrament..."

"Are you kidding me!?!

"That's right,

"I hope he does have a meltdown while passing the sacrament."

Calling all Ward or Stake Disability Specialists!

Did you know that Section 21.1.26 of Handbook 2: Administering the Church states that:

"The bishopric or stake presidency may call a ward or stake disability specialist to help individuals and families."

With Him We'll Stand Book

With Him We'll Stand is a beautiful book by Ray Johnson about his two brothers Stuart and Nathanael who were born nearly 16 weeks premature. The story includes beautiful paper collage illustrations as a backdrop to the words of the hymn, I Believe in Christ.

Book cover with beautiful picture of sun shining behind a cloud

Serving Family Members Who Have Disabilities

In this article titled Serving Family Members Who Have Disabilities from Meridian Magazine, Daryl Hoole highlights three families and their experience having a child with a disability.

Jeremy Chatelain, Seminary Teacher who is Quadripalegic

A Deseret News story highlighting Jeremy and Sarah Chatelain and their two children. Jeremy was hired as a full-time seminary teacher and shortly thereafter was involved in a diving accident 13 years ago that crushed his fifth and sixth vertebrae and caused immediate paralysis. Since then, he has travelled a long road and now teaches seminary again in Odgen, Utah. From the article:

Mormon.org Disability Related Profiles

If you haven't had an opportunity to check out the new Mormon.org, I would encourage you to do so. It is a great resource to help you share the gospel with others. A central focus of the site profiles of individual members, including the following:

LDS Ability

LDS Disability Resources