Sunday, September 26, 2004
Spirituality Important for Families of Children with Disabilities
Many families whose children have disabilities find in faith and spiritual practices a way to endow the disability with meaning, according to University of Kansas social scientists.
Lawrence, Kansas - But these families' experiences with organized religion are mixed, say Denise Poston, research associate for the Beach Center on Disability, and Ann Turnbull, co-director of the center.
In interviews with 137 people who have disabilities and with their family members, Poston said, she was struck by the intensity of comments about the importance of spiritual and religious practices.
"People might say that having a job is important to the familyıs well-being, but in a matter-of-fact way," Poston said. "But there is an intensity in their voices when they say, 'My life wouldnıt be anything without faith.' "
Poston and Turnbull's study appears in the June issue of the journal Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities.
Those surveyed were asked what thoughts came to mind when they heard the words "family quality of life," what helped things to go well in the family when everything ran smoothly and what things created tough times.
Those who mentioned spirituality or religion as crucial to their quality of life commented on two aspects of it -- having beliefs and taking part in religious communities.
Those surveyed "spoke very passionately" about the effect of belief on quality of life, Poston said. They emphasized having faith in something greater than themselves and in using prayer. Poston said that even more important to their peace of mind was finding, through spiritual involvement, the ability to give meaning to the disability.
"About half of the families who shared perspectives on their spiritual life spoke about how they used their faith as a way to make some sense of having a child with a disability," Poston says.
In their paper, Poston and Turnbull list resources that families and organizations can use to guide them in making religious and spiritual activities more accessible to children with disabilities. Poston recommends the Religion and Spirituality Division of the American Association on Mental Retardation at www.aamr.org/Groups/div/RG/index.php .
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