Born in rural Ohio and raised in Denver, I now live in Escondido, California with my husband, Norman, and our two sons (with another on the way, due in August). We are members of Resurrection Presbyterian Church in San Diego where I currently serve in the children’s ministry. I also participate in the disability ministry of New Life Presbyterian Church in Escondido.
Long before becoming a mother and a wife, I became the big sister of Andrew, my brother who has a disability. As a sibling directly impacted by disability, I have long been acutely aware of the unique challenges and needs of individuals who have disabling conditions and their families. Having Andrew in my life has been one of the biggest blessings ever!
My personal experience with disability goes beyond family though. I served for eight years at a Christian nonprofit organization for adults with disabilities. Later, I was providentially put in charge of a disability ministry associated with a megachurch but actually a separate entity. That experience helped shape convictions about disability ministry being an integral part of the body of Christ.
I have learned firsthand how we often fail as Christians to fully acknowledge people in the disability community as being just like everyone else—bearing the image of God and sinners in need of a savior. Now, as a staff member of Engaging Disability, I desire more than anything to see families impacted by disability being active, fully participating members of their churches. Both serving and receiving, feeding and being fed, and able to enjoy all the blessings and benefits of being part of one body of Christ!
