The Fastest Man with no Legs.

Oscar Pistorious has worn prosthetic legs since he was 11 months old. Born without a fibula in either leg, his legs were amputated just below his knees. But not having natural legs did not stop Pistorious from using his body to compete. Last May, he won three gold medals in the Paralympics for 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m events. Those are only a few of his accomplishment as a competitive runner. You can’t stop a born athlete. Not even a ban on his participation in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing can break Pistorious’ determination.

In January 2008, the International Associations of Athletic Federations, which governs athletics internationally, said that Pistorious had an unfair advantage over athletes without prosthetic limbs. After a series of tests examining the difference between a leg and the carbon-fibre prosthetic legs used by Pistorious, the IAAF stated that the limbs prevented Pistorious from expending the same amount of energy other athletes expend competing in the same events.

Pistorious has appealed the ruling and still hopes to compete in the Olympics. But even if the final answer is no, he will continue to race in other events. He refuses to let the ruling break his spirits or his commitment to running.
In the words of Pistorious, “You’re not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have.”

Watch a news clip covering the IAAF desicion.

Creating a Masterpiece.

The more I am reading about disabilities, the more I am discovering that there are so many ways that those with disabilities contribute to life’s splendor.

I often find myself wondering about my gifts and searching for places that I will be used fully. But I think that many times I am blind to who I am. As I was reading today about people with disabilities, I stumbled across an article about students with Down syndrome, who have created paintings that are being showcased around the world. These students are not unlike me, in that they too search for things that they are good at. They found their answer in art.

The word masterpiece keeps rolling around in my head. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (NLT) We are God’s masterpieces. He knitted us together and fashioned each one of us with unique gifts. He crafted us with care, like these students create their paintings. He placed an ability to create beautiful art in these students. He gives each one of us different abilities; for these students it is the ability to create beautiful art. For me it is something else. But we are all the same in that we are all masterpieces. And not just anyone’s masterpiece. But the Creator of the Universe’s masterpiece. We must be quite breathtaking.

Look at these photos and see the beauty that flows forth. Think about the magnificence that God created in these people’s lives. He has done that in your life too. Just open your eyes to it.

 

Read the article at: http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=893473

- ≠ < (different doesn’t equal less than)

Abortion has long been a hot button in politics. Questions surround the topic. Is abortion is right? Should women have the right to choose what they will do with their bodies? Should unborn children have the right to life? When does a child have a soul? It almost seems as if people neglect to consider the repercussions for even having the conversation to begin with.

I just read an article called British Politicians told: Disabled Children Better Off Aborted. The title says it all. The issue here isn’t whether abortion is fundamentally wrong or right. It is about the stigma that surrounds people born with disabilities. Why are they better off aborted? Because they will have challenges that other people will never have to face? Because they will be different than the rest of the world? Because they have nothing to offer society? Because they are too weak to overcome obstacles? These are the messages that are being sent when people say that children who are born with disabilities are better off not born at all. It sends a message of hopelessness and unworthiness. No wonder people fear being different. We live in a world that says that if you are different, you are no good. Imagine the effect that has on children that are born with disabilities. Imagine if someone said to you,even though you were given life, others like you are really more trouble than they are worth.

We need to hold onto truth more firmly than that. God has uniquely fashioned everyone on this earth, with their own set of difficulties and strengths, and has a plan to use those things for His glory and for the good of those who love Him. Be bold and claim truth over peoples’ lives and the world will be changed by it. And maybe one day, children won’t be aborted simply because they are different.

Diminishing Fears

These days, more and more expectant parents use testing to determine what genetic defects might affect their child. When parents are told that their child is likely to have Down syndrome, 91-93% of parents choose to end their pregnancies in abortion. Thinking about the reasons that such an astounding statistic exists, it seems likely that fear is a factor that drives parents in that direction.

After reading the article: Son’s Progress Inspires Parents I got a clearer picture of what it is that parents fear when facing the thought of having a child with Down syndrome. The article tells the story of a couple’s journey through preparing for their child’s anticipated disability. Their fears were many; fears that their son wouldn’t be accepted, that he wouldn’t be joyfully welcomed into the world, that he wouldn’t have the same achievements as others.

During the pregnancy, the couple went through a mourning period. They really were mourning a death of sorts—the death of the dreams that they had for their child. In the Beatitudes, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4) Because of the fall, we have things to mourn over. Because our freedom in Christ and understanding of His redemptive purpose of our lives, we have freedom to mourn the things that are broken. That includes broken dreams. And so, these parents mourned.

Then their child was born, and they rejoiced. Since then, their fears have evaporated as their son is invited to parties and develops his motor skills. They took a chance on their son, a chance that only 7-9% of similar parents take.

What can be done to encourage more parents to embrace a child with Down syndrome? Maybe more testimonies from parents of children with Down syndrome would help debunk the fears that people have about having a child with a disability. There must be a way to eliminate the statistic. We need to find it.