Social Healing

Je f f M c N air, Ph.D.
Jo ni and F rie nd s , C hris t ian Ins t it u t e o n Dis ab il it y C a l i f o r n i a B a p t i s t U n i ve r s i t y Namugongo, Uganda Ju l y 19, 2011

Models of disability with response

Medical Model Physical Healing Moral Model Social Model Christian Model Integration Social Healing Equality

Nothing Laws, Perhaps Rights some way to make amends

What do people want?

Kabue caring vs. curing McKnight caring vs. services Joni and the TV programs Friendship is the most important thing in life

human services act as if they didnt know this (paraphrase of Dr. Hans Reinders)

18 Wounds (Wolfensberger, 2000)

1. Bodily impairment 2. Functional impairment 3. Relegation to low social status 4. Attitude of rejection 5. Cast into deviancy roles 6. Symbolic stigmatizing/branding 7. Multiply jeopardized/ scapegoated 8. Distanciation 9. Loss of natural, freely given relationships 10. Loss of control/ autonomy 11. Discontinuity with physical environment 12. Social/relationship discontinuity 13. Deindividualization 14. Material Poverty 15. Impoverishment of typical experience 16. Exclusion from religion 17. Life wasted 18. Object of brutalization

18 Wounds (Wolfensberger, 2000)

1. Bodily impairment 2. Functional impairment 3. Relegation to low social status 4. Attitude of rejection 5. Cast into deviancy roles 6. Symbolic stigmatizing/branding 7. Multiply jeopardized/ scapegoated 8. Distanciation 9. Loss of natural, freely given relationships 10. Loss of control/ autonomy 11. Discontinuity with physical environment 12. Social/relationship discontinuity 13. Deindividualization 14. Material Poverty 15. Impoverishment of typical experience 16. Exclusion from religion 17. Life wasted 18. Object of brutalization

The social consequences of disability

Matthew 25:31-46
Need Hungry Thirsty Stranger Naked Sick In prison Response something to eat something to drink invited me in clothed me looked after me visited me Related Wound 11,14 11,14 3,4,5,9,12,16,17 6,10,11,13,14,15,16 4,6,8,13 3,4,5,7,10,12,13,15,16,17,18

There is a relational/social component in each of these responses.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10
I was given a thorn in my flesh 3X I pleaded with the Lord to take it away My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect

in weakness

How is grace dispensed?

Therefore, I will boast in Weaknesses Insults Hardships Persecutions Difficulties For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Alternative translations
John 9 NIV John 9 Dr. Merril Tenney

Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who send me. Night is coming when no one can work.

Neither this man nor his parents sinned. But that the work of God might be displayed in his life, we must do the work of him who sent me while it is still day. Night is coming when no one can work.

A couple more examples

Mark 5:19 Mark 2:5/Luke 5:20

Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you Combines physical and social healing.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven.

Impact going beyond basic needs.

 Become aware of the wounds

Social Healing
Address the 18 wounds Work the works while it is still day Relate to the least of these my brethren Social healing is for individuals with and without disabilities and the entire body

If possible, remove wounds If cant remove, attenuate wounds Prevent new wounding Create a place where only relevant

characteristics of an individual are relevant Address via Universal design See all people as God sees them

 Social healing is not simply a

Social Healing
It is all about love... Address the 18 wounds Work the works while it is still day Relate to the least of these my brethren Social healing is for individuals with and without disabilities and the entire body

change for the individual with disabilities it is a change for the church The environment must change People with disabilities will therefore change the church The inclusion of people with disabilities is a corrective for the church Thus social healing is a healing of the church making it more as God intended it to be.

If the church were the church...

If the church were the church...

If the church were the church

If the church were the church...

...disability would not be disability.

Thank y ou f or y ou r atte ntion!

To contact me, jmcnair@joniandfriends.org