Home » Forums » Religion & Spirituality

Severly Autistic Children in Church

Posted May 24th, 2008 by Dave Culver

Hello Family, Friends and Advocates,

I wanted to send the below article to all along with my Personal Experience with Carol and Adam. I have spoke and met with Carol many Times. She should be a role model to us all who are fighting for our loved ones. She has been a tremendous advocate for autism and in general for those with disabilities. Carol has advocated legislatively and also been very active in many different autism groups such as Generation Rescue, BEAT, Waiver groups and has always made time to help anyone who is having problems.

When I first Met Adam he was with Carol and very mindful. Adan stayed within reach of Carol and was very calm. When I saw Adam it was like looking into the future for Josh (MY Son). Here is the very Large Man without the capabilities to care for himself in any way. I believe that it is time for the church to actually start to pay attention to the needs of its members and what brings us all to one place on Sunday. Rather then penalize a family which is in distress due to disability where is "Love thy Neighbor"? Matthew 19:13 "Jesus let the little children alone and do not hinder them from coming to me for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

I have watched Churches Welcome into their flock people who have been to prison for embezzlement, People who have cheated on their spouses, People who have physically harmed another, this list could continue. Yet, someone who has a disability is being restrained from attending. When Carol re buttes the accusations I can see Josh in everyone of those actions. Josh does not care about someones butt in any sexual manner and I guarantee neither does Adam. Josh would not intentionally push someone to cause harm. As far as sitting on Adam to restrain him, Josh has had some equipment which was used as the same to give what is called "Deep Pressure" input. This technique is used to help the person feel more grounded and aware of where they are spatially in the world. Jon and Carol have made tremendous efforts to provide a safe and growing environment for Adam. To ask for Church support for their family should not be too much to ask.

I ask that each one of you who receives this email please Help Adam receive the word of the Lord. Please email this to your e-mail list. Along with printing a copy and taking it to Church with you on Sunday to give to either the Pastor of the Deacons. Awareness of Disability is the only way to ensure those who have the faith of a child can receive the Lords Doctrine.

Susan Hart

Severly Autistic Children in Church

On May 29th, 2008 Dave Culver says:

Since this story broke, I have been thankfully deluged with e-mails of notices, comments, help, sources, you name it. Here I'm trying to organize it in one place. I hope this helps! Individual items are numbered in parentheses.

(1)For those of you whom would like to make a "contribution" or "remarks" I have found a website for an email comment ( http://www.stclouddiocese.org/Communications/webmail.shtml ). Copy and paste into your browser) It will only take a minute of your time. --Susan Hart

(2)Hi all, I can't fully comprehend what everyone invovled is going through. I have lots of thoughts and lots of sadness remembering a similar but not as extreme situation invovlving my son Lennart. I don't really want to comment a whole lot but think of the Lord's Prayer---Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Monday morning I was at a prayer meeting with a bunch of women and they asked me about it and there was some discussion.. One lady asked "Where was the mother when Adam was doing this stuff?" I rolled my eyes knowing the person asking the question had no clue or understanding. I said "She probably was tired." Duh! You think!

So often I get angry at people ignorance and then I realize I have to teach the ignorant about autism, and I get tired. Oh , Mamas Daddys we are so honored to have our children and to think that God the Father entrusted us to raise these children probably for the rest of our life, what an awsome responsibilty and priviledge we have.

It's hard to take time away from our children, but as tough as it is remember to take your respite time. I'm a single mom and at first when respite was available I didn't take the time, now I go, and have my respit scheduled for the rest of the year.

Well, dear ones, parents and advocates thank you for loving and standing up for LIFE, the life and times of all these children and also the life and times of the parents.

You are all in my prayers as you enjoy and struggle with your children.

Love you all,
Edith Berry

(3)Dear Susan and all,

I think a group of us should attend the chuch with our autisitc loved ones. (I will come and bring my sister .. who makes noises, and faces and sometimes picks her nose.) I would even put money in the offering plate. I think it would be supportive and educational. Is anybody else in? Just name the date. Bertha is only about a 1/2 hour form my where I live in the summer.

Maryjane Westra

(4)Join the BEAT MN Yahoo chat group (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/BEATMN/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=gro.... It has tons of emotion and many advocates. --Susan Hart

(5)I've hatched a new idea this morning. I have been contacted by an advocate from a southern state who would like to help. She has hundreds of contacts of other disability rights organizations across the country. I was thinking that we could tie both the Mass attendance at Bertha by our many families with autistic children to a new outreach called "Project: Adam's Pew". We could wait for a week after a largely publicized weekend Mass here at St. Joseph's in Bertha about all of you people coming to keep Adam's pew warm until our return. Then, we could launch Project Adam's Pew across the country by asking every church to reserve the back pew for a family with an autistic child or other family for whom church has not been a reality due to disruptive behaviors. These Churches could then advertize that their pew is ready and waiting and when a family comes to use it, they could then open a discussion with that Church as to exactly what accomodations would best suit their family. This is eminently practical and would be relatively easy to spread. We could have a one page article explaining how to set up "Adam's Pew" in a local church and send this out to every Church that requests it or even if they don't request it, just to get it spread far and wide. What do you all think?

Carol (BEAT MN Yahoo discussion group)