tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post923063997961907879..comments2024-01-06T07:53:11.832-08:00Comments on disabled Christianity: Choosing to be "smart"Jeff McNairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10029386598033932429noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6825243.post-82014262525183559042008-08-10T11:24:00.000-07:002008-08-10T11:24:00.000-07:00Deciding between choosing to be brave and love or ...Deciding between choosing to be brave and love or look smart regarding interacting and ministering to persons with disabilities is one that I have experienced and observed many times in the business of retail and on the college campus as a student. So often, in the rushed impatient environment of retail, a person with a disability is often perceived as causing the line to move too slow or taking up too much time with the cashier. I can recall specific instances where I made a mental choice to ignore the rude stares of uninformed customers so that I could take the time to adapt my communication to the customer who was deaf. The extra patience in adjusting one's use of space and distance when communicating across the service desk with a person in a wheelchair or giving this same individual a little push up a campus hill on the sidewalk is invaluable. As a beginning student, I recall walking fast by these individuals so that I could arrive to class on time. Now, with my increased awareness, I take the time even at the risk of being a little late to offer a little push up the hill along with conversaton.<BR/><BR/>Richard <BR/>EDU 541Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com