“Step Through the Fear” and into the Lives of Children with Disabilities

Brenda Darke offers insight into the lives of children with disabilities and their families as she reflects on her experience working in this area. Here are a few quotes that stood out to me as I listened to the interview.

“The scriptures are actually full of God’s heart for people with disabilities, even though there is a lot of misunderstanding on this issue. But one thing that I always call people’s attention to is Luke 14. Where there is Jesus teaching how to include people with disabilities in His kingdom. He goes out of his way and crosses barriers that other people are not prepared to cross. He teaches us in practice and by his word… that we should be including them in our church.”

“The statistics are that the situation of children with disabilities living in developing countries is always much worse. There are more children growing up in disadvantaged situations, in countries that are being developed, mostly related to high levels of poverty. If a child is born into a family in Latin America, they do not have the kind of support that might be available in countries in Europe, for instance. Even if the family is a middle class family or fairly well-to-do, there is such a drain on the resources that this family too becomes poor.”

“Huge, huge poverty actually provokes many disabilities in children because of poor antenatal care, poor diet, there are many birth accidents. They actually acquire disabilities directly because of their situation of poverty.”

“We just have to step through the fear and just begin by getting to know some children with disabilities and their families… we need to get along side them and begin to dialogue with the family.”

“I think [children with disabilities] teach us about ourselves. I think there is actually a spiritual issue in recognizing that the child with the disability is really no different. We may start off thinking, ‘Oh we are going to be able to do so much to help them and give them so much.’ But in my experience, we are usually the people who gain.”

Listen to the entire podcast for more from Brenda Darke.

Podcast Interview with Brenda Darke

Podcast - March 5th, 2008

In this episode, Dr. Edward Bradley interviews Brenda Darke, a leading expert in dealing with children with disabilities throughout Latin America.

Interview with the Director of Access Ministry at McLean Bible Church

In this episode, Dr. Edward Bradley interviews Jackie Mills-Fernald, the director of Access Ministry at McLean Bible Church. Her relationship with Access Ministry began originally in 1999 as a volunteer. By autumn of that same year she had joined the Access Ministry staff. In 2000, Jackie became Assistant Director of Staff and Volunteer Development for Access with a focus on recruitment, training, and overall program development. Since December of 2003, Jackie has served as a member of McLean Bible Church’s ministry staff as Director of Access Ministry and also oversees the Signs of Life deaf ministry.

Jackie is a sought after workshop presenter and consultant for churches in the development of disability ministry and creating an inclusive culture in the church.

After listening to the podcast, let us know your thoughts below. Do you have a question for Jackie? Would you like to know more about their ministry?

Podcast - November 28th, 2007

In this episode, Dr. Edward Bradley interviews Jackie Mills-Fernald, the director of Access Ministry at McLean Bible Church.

Podcast - April 7th, 2007

In this episode, Dr. Edward Bradley interviews two middle school students, (Carolyn M. & Georgia P.), about their work in raising awareness about Child Labor issues, Ian Drake from Letra Viva in Costa Rica shares a meditation and churches around the world are invited to participate in the 2007 Annual Day of Prayer for Children at High Risk.

Oakseed Ministries Podcast - January 31, 2007

Contents of Podcast:

• Oakseed now has a new look to their website.
• Youth around the world have a new essay contest for the year 2007. Compassion and Child Labor
• Get the latest info about the June 3rd, 2007 - Annual Day of Prayer for Children at High Risk
• Listen to a special presentation of last years winning essay.

Podcast - March 18th, 2006

Topics discussed on this episode:

• Children at Risk
• Interview with Jim McDonald, Bread for the World
• 2006 Essay contest about Compassion and the Starving Child.
• Updates about the Annual Day of Prayer.