As I grow in my understanding of urban ministry I have had to wrestle with the phrase “white privilege.” As I’ve thought about that concept, I came to realize that Jerry and I live with “Disability Privilege.”
Friends, or those we meet, often comment on how much we are “on the go.” The unspoken remainder of the sentence is “especially for someone with disability.” Though some courageous commenters will ask “how do you do it? Can you get an wheelchair on a train/plane or whatever means of conveyance we are awaiting?”
I don’t typically think about what we do as anything special or unusual, it’s just our life. We travel several times a year for the ministry, both within our region and across the country. We try to get away a couple of times a year for some vacation or rest time – we’ve spent that time driving around the US, relaxing at the beach, visiting family, hosting family, cruising to Alaska and some points in the Caribbean (different trips – ha!). And we make sure we get to a number of baseball games each year and other local events.
We have a number of friends who live life affected by disability and travel even more extensively, but honestly, we are part of a very small group. The larger number of people affected by disability in this world struggle to get an appropriate wheelchair, support services, housing they can afford and maintain, reliable attendant care or transportation so they can secure a job.
Even on our worst days about 90% of people with disabilities around the world would love to have the “privilege” of working through our challenges. It’s good for me to be reminded that we are blessed beyond measure. Not because of anything about who we are, but because of the graciousness of our God. It doesn’t even mean God loves us more than those who struggle – He doesn’t. What it does mean is that we have the opportunity to use the blessings God has given us to bless others. That is a fun and exciting challenge in which to participate.
To Whom Much is Given, Much is Required. Luke 12:48