Dr Kelly Fleming

Sometimes inclusion is not about meeting a new person who is disabled but rather it is about a spouse or friend who acquires a permanent disability. The non-disabled spouse or friend may have difficulties in adapting their thoughts and may even unknowingly change their attitude towards their disabled spouse or friend which places an invisible barrier between the two people. The person who has acquired a disability through illness or accident is in the midst of internal turmoil as their lives have completely and irreversibly changed and at the same time the person whom they trust the most, their spouse or friend is no longer able to provide unbiased support. By being thrust into a position of caregiver, which itself is not a burden, it may change their relationship with their loved one and barriers are erected, marriages may fail, and friendships dissolved by distancing. This leaves both the disabled person and their family members feeling alone, neglected, and unworthy of love. When the Church community rallies around both the disabled person and their family and close friends during this time, they encourage them in faith and support them in their needs.

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