I Am a Child of God - Kevin

No account of my journey of faith can be complete without relating what role my son has played in this journey.


My son Kevin has multiple disabilities, both physical and intellectual. For a pregnant woman, exposure to German Measles is VERY serious. In the first trimester of pregnancy it can cause deformities and many other health problems. In my case, I actually had the disease. It was not until significantly after Kevin’s birth that I discovered he was severely hearing impaired, had cerebral palsy and was intellectually challenged. Other conditions that often go along with congenital rubella syndrome developed over the years and he has battled and conquered cancer but Kevin has remained cheerful, positive and willing to give everyone a chance to get to know him. He just plain loves everyone automatically unless they give him a reason to do otherwise and, even then, he tends to not be able to understand why he can’t be friends and his feelings get hurt. He has inspired me and literally transformed me.


Over the years, attending church with Kevin sometimes became problematic. This coincided with his disabilities becoming more obvious and parishioners and sometimes clergy and staff becoming less comfortable with his presence. In addition, the fact that he is non-verbal has become more of an issue. It is admittedly challenging to communicate with someone who cannot "talk" back ......challenging but not impossible.

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Mind you, over the years there have also been some touching examples of compassion and acknowledgement of the fact that Kevin is a child of God with the right to the same respect of anyone. He once had a seizure during a service. We were seated near the back of the church we were attending because he was having seizures often enough at that point that I knew there was always a possibility and acted accordingly. Two gentlemen discretely came over and helped me get him out of his wheelchair and on the floor where he was safer. When he was recovered, they helped me get him back in his chair and out to the car. As for the rest of the parishioners, a few of them fairly close to us glanced at us not with curiosity or disdain but with a “Let us know if you need help” look and then went back to what they were doing. That, my friends, was Christianity in action and I will never forget the general feeling of acceptance at that church even though we parted company on doctrinal grounds.


I feel the need to introduce Kevin to my readers because his acceptance or sometimes lack thereof has shaken my faith at times and I have left churches when I felt he was being rejected regardless of whether I believed the theology because attending services or mass should never be an uncomfortable experience. I am a mama bear where he is concerned and, regardless of my beliefs, will NOT allow him to be hurt. What does he need to make church attendance a positive experience?


- He do not need to be the center of attention.
- He does not need to be treated like a child. He is an adult and wishes to be spoken to as such.
- He wants to feel accepted and treated like any other parishioner



If you have persons with disabilities at the church where you attend, think of how your actions and attitudes effect their journey of faith and that of their parents and possible siblings. It may be a trite expression but think of "What would Jesus do?" Do not stare or say anything hurtful that can be overheard by them. If a situation is observed that may require assistance, offer assistance if you feel comfortable with that but do not “take over” and actually make the situation worse. Had that happen to us this weekend and the more the person interfered, the more upset Kevin got to the point that I had to take him home since she decided he should not be allowed back in the church..


If I sound bitter, I probably am. I have a lifetime of feeling Kevin was being rejected and no parent likes to feel that. My problem in the past has been transferring that bitterness to God and he is not responsible for the actions of his children. That’s progress for me. He is not responsible for the shortcomings of His children (most definitely including mine). My cherished son has always been the light of my life and he has taught me more about faith than you can imagine. My hope is that those around him can allow him to teach them too.