AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & DENTISTRY

The Interaction of Disability and Religion

Religion BY H. BARRY WALDMAN, DDS, MPH, PHD, RICK RADER, MD, FAAIDD, FAADMD, DHL (HON) AND STEVEN P. PERLMAN, DDS, MSCD, DHL (HON)

Before the twentieth century, societal attitudes reflected the view that persons with disabilities were unhealthy, defective or deviant. For centuries, they were treated as objects of fear and pity.

Generally speaking, prior to the late 1800's, people with intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism (not so named then), and/or epilepsy, resided at home and were cared for by their families. Beginning in the late 1800's, institutions were built by state and local administrative agencies to warehouse people with developmental disabilities. These institutions were usually built on the outskirts of town. Many legislative and societal changes occurred in the 1960's and 70's which had a great influence on the treatment of and attitudes toward people with disabilities. 1 A 1991 study reported that 98% of individuals questioned believe that all people, regardless of one's ability, should have an opportunity to participate in mainstream society. In addition, there was a strong sentiment toward increased employment of persons with disabilities. 1

THE INTERFACE OF DISABILITY AND RELIGION

"…the odds of children on the autism spectrum never attending religious services are almost double what they are for children without a chronic health condition. The odds of never attending religious services for children with depression, or a developmental delay or learning disability, are also higher (1.7 and 1.4 times greater, respectively). This is not true of children with chronic health conditions that are more physical in nature — asthma, diabetes, or hearing or vision problems. Those children are no more or less likely to attend than children without a health condition." 2

The manner in which people with disabilities are treated within religious communities, the religious texts of those religions, general input from discussions relating to disabilities and other views, serves as a primary medium through which we assist people with disabilities. Regarding the rationale behind God's creation of people with disabilities, some religions maintain that their contrast with the able-bodied permits them to reflect, and God to subsequently assess, the level of gratitude shown by each individual for their health. 3

"When my family needed our faith the most, we couldn't attend because of our 'disruptive' children… The children's ministry director explained that this congregation wouldn't be able to provide us any care for our son, who is nonverbal and on the autism spectrum. If we were going to attend this church, my son would be unable to join the other kids in children's church. My spouse or I would have to sit apart from the rest of the congregation in a "family room" with him. As I feared, our search for a community of faith would have to start again. The next week, we just stayed home." 2

"Faith communities often create barriers to inclusion with their physical architecture (when there are no wheelchair ramps), liturgy (when rituals or sacraments are not adapted to meet individual needs), communication (when lights, sounds or visuals limit participation), programming (when activities present obstacles for children with different needs) and attitudes…" 2 "After having my daughter Campbell, not only was my world

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY

The American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) was organized in 2002 to provide a forum for healthcare professionals who provide clinical care to people with neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities (ND/ID). The mission of the organization is to improve the quality and assure the parity of healthcare for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities throughout the lifespan.

SHUT OUT: Faith communities often create barriers to inclusion with their physical architecture, liturgy, communication, programming and attitudes.

turned upside down, but my faith was put to the test. In the beginning, having a child with special needs brought me closer to God. I prayed, meditated and begged God that my daughter would be healed. I felt if I prayed hard enough and long enough that God would heal her and she would be better…The cold, hard truth is that sometimes there are not reasons or answers to why tragedy occurs. If He cured every illness and prevented every tragedy, then we would not have free will." 4

Across the United States, children with "Regarding the rationale behind God's creation of developmental or intellectual disabilities are much more likely to never attend religious services than are children with no health conditions. From 2003 to 2012, children with chronic health conditions that primarily influenced communication and social interaction were consistently less likely to attend religious services.

Sometimes, the attitudes from congregants can be devastating. These include degrading comments or behaviors signaling that a child with a health condition is not welcome. "We have had people tell us that a child who is a disruption in church probably shouldn't attend. Others have asked whether children with certain health conditions 'really get anything out of participating.'" 2

A BROADER VIEW

Many people think that from the perspective of religions, sickness and disability are punishments for bad behavior. But at least for the four big world religions, disability has a whole different role. "(Specifically) Islamic, Christian, Jewish and Buddhist believe that people with disabilities play a very important role within the communities. Disability is not simply a punishment for mistakes but has the purpose to show others – healthier and wealthier people – respect, humility and charity." 5 (Emphasis added)

"From the beginning, Christianity tried to integrate people with disabilities into society as creatures of God. It is written in the gospels that Jesus used to live among blind, paralyzed, and deaf people as well as among epileptics and people with mental disabilities. To serve them, to be humble towards them made him greater in the eyes of God." 5

"Disability is still linked with sin in some denominations of the church and in some cultures where Christianity is the predominant religion. In Ghana, people with mental illnesses and neurological disorders are routinely sent to prayer camps that are linked with Evangelical and Pentecostal churches, to try to overcome their disorder. Prayer camps have been condemned by the Human Rights Watch organization because of the way that people in prayer camps are often treated…

Christians with disabilities also report feeling unwelcome when attending church. Many families of children with disabilities in the USA report feeling excluded from Church services because of the attitudes of other members of the congregation." 6 In Buddhism, the concept of Karma explains a cause of disabilities. The person with a disability receives the Karma of past life. Strictly seen, the disability is the result of committed mistakes in past life… (But) the Dalai Lama, leader of the Tibetan Buddhism, sees a lot of potential in disabilities. They help us to lead an unselfish and gracious life. Buddhist texts are 'almost always negative' towards disability. Yet the Buddhist commitment to the universal salvation of all beings implicitly commits them to making their teaching accessible to persons with mental or physical disabilities. 5,6

In Islamic belief, weaker people have an extra position in the eyes of God. They have the right of great support. Allah does not love the proud, says the Koran. The special place for people with disabilities is in Allah. In Islam, the cause of disability is not attributed to wrongdoing by the person with a disability or their parents. Islam views disability as a challenge set by Allah. The Qur'an urges people to treat people with intellectual disabilities with kindness and to protect people with disabilities. 3,6

To help others is also entrenched in the Jewish culture. Jewish people are constrained to support weaker people and to accept them as fellow human beings. Moreover, one should help people with disabilities to become mostly independent. 5

"Discussions about accessibility and inclusion for those with disabilities have become more mainstream in the Jewish world. But there are numerous issues that still need to be addressed — from concrete problems, such as synagogues that aren't accessible to those in wheelchairs, to widespread ignorance about what it means to have a disability and how even well-meaning Jewish institutions make many people feel unwelcome." 7

TO BE EXCLUDED FROM YOUR HOUSE OF WORSHIP

The very idea carries with it the hypothesis that this action is the consequence of some criminal activity or unforgiveable actions against one's religion. Surely, having been born with, or acquired a disability in later life does not fall into these categories. The inference that the cause of the disability being associated with a past deed or that of their parents is equally absurd. Surely efforts to bring individuals with disabilities into their house of worship can lead to a more realistic understanding between neighbors with and without disabilities.•

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

H. Barry Waldman, DDS, MPH, PhD is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor, Department of General Dentistry, Stony Brook University, NY. E-mail: h.waldman@stonybrook.edu. Rick Rader, MD, DHL (Hon) is the Director of the Morton J. Kent Habilitation Center, Orange Groove, Chattanooga, TN; Senior VP Public Policy, American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry; Adjunct Professor, Human Development, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. He is Exceptional Parent Magazine's Editor in Chief. Steven P. Perlman, DDS, MScD, DHL (Hon) is the Global Clinical Director and founder, Special Olympics, Special Smiles; and Clinical Professor of Pediatric Dentistry, The Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine.

References

1. Paul Burtner College of Dentistry. Society's attitude toward people with disabilities Available from: paul-burtner.dental.ufl.edu burtner.dental.ufl.edu/oral-health-care-for-persons-with-disabilities societys-attitude-toward-people-with-disabilities/ Accessed March 11, 2021.

2. Whitehead A. Kids with disabilities face many challenges. Church shouldn't be one of them. Available from: washingtonpost.com/outlook/kids-with-disabilities-face-many-challenges- church-shouldnt-be-one-of-them/2018/11/15/2b324364-e83c-11e8-b8dc-66cca409c180_story.html Accessed March 10, 2021.

3. Disability and religion. Available from: Wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disability and religion Accessed March 11, 2021.

4. Doty M. Why? My personal journey with faith and raising a child with special needs. Available from: articles.complexchild.com/jan2011/00265.html Accessed March 10, 2021.

5. Platner M. Disability in the eyes of religion. Available from: myhandicap.com/en/infor-mation-disability-chonical-illness/health/mental-health/disability-religion/ Accessed March 10, 2021

6. Jacobs NL Disability and world religions Available from: tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09687599.2017.1321236 Accessed March 10, 2021.

7. New York Jewish Week.

8 Jews with disabilities explain how communities fall short on inclusion. Available from: jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/8-jews-with-disabilities- explain-how-communities-fall-short-on-inclusion/ Accessed March 11, 2021.