Definition of "Spirit" (Webster):
1. a) the life principle in humans, originally regarded as
animating vapor infused by the breath or as bestowed by a
deity.
b) the soul
2. the thinking, motivating, feeling part of man, often as
distinguished from the body, mind, intelligence.
3. life, will, conscious thought, etc.. regarded as separate
from matter.
"We must explore the loftier issues of life because
they are relevant to daily practice with clients. In the spiritual
realm we face the larger view and the meaning of life itself
in a way that is difficult to explain and comprehend. The
questions that are shrouded in mystery remain a challenge
to our clients and ourselves."
C. Jung
"The development of sensitivity and comfort in discussing
a client’s' spiritual issues will help practitioners
facilitate spiritual solutions in keeping with the clients
belief system. A spiritual value or belief may connect to,
or be, a powerful resource in the clients life that can be
used in problem solving, coping, or the process of recovery
or emotional healing. The practitioner who respects the clients
spiritual values and beliefs may discover that therapeutic
benefits can be accomplished through them." (Sermabeikian,
1994)
"Faith or religion should not be equated with knowledge,
though it's partly that, of course. Faith also involves the
elements of trust, loyalty and commitment to someone or something.
It is a matter of both head and heart. It is part idea, part
feeling, part commitment, and part action. It is something
known and it is also something experienced." (Hoeksema,
1995)
"Enabling individuals with mental retardation to engage
in typical forms of religious expression and to participate
in the life of a faith community may provide them with: (A)
an opportunity to worship, (B) a sense of belonging and fellowship,
(C) a sense of comfort, and (D) opportunity to serve others.
These are important dimensions of religious life for many
people; they should not be forced on anyone nor should they
be denied." (Gaventa 1986)
SUGGESTED GUIDELINES
1. Understand the influence of personal life experiences.
--We need to be self aware so that we may support the choices
of people in our system based on their needs and preferences,
not our own.
--We are all learners. We will give but we will also receive
if we are open to learn.
--We help others to identify their belief systems and make
use of the supports they offer. Do not impose your personal
beliefs on consumers.
--The key to spiritual care is willingness to listen to another's
personal story in order to affirm the value of a life and
to acknowledge and support a spiritual journey until death.
--You don't have to answer. "I don't know" is an
appropriate response.
2. Religious practices are allowable.
--This is an issue of constitutional rights from the Bill
of Rights)
--No one may be coerced to participate.
(First amendment)
--No single form of expression may be favored over another.
3. Consider the past practices and current preferences of
individuals.
--People who can not verbalize may be able to indicate their
preferences nonverbally through facial expressions, body language
and behavioral changes.
--It may be useful to talk to family members about such issues
as whether an individual has attended church services in the
past and if they participated in any activities at home of
a religious nature.
--It is as legitimate to find out if someone would like to
go to church as any item on a RLI.
--Staff must be willing to think not only about how to respond
to faith that is already established but about how to expose
people to faith opportunities in order to determine whether
there is an interest.
4. Teach self advocacy and conflict resolution skills.
--When religious conflict exists, teach people to acknowledge
and respect differences in religious preferences and help
them to negotiate compromises.
--Respect the consumer's "no."
--Caring for others as you care for yourself, and as you
yourself want to be cared for, is a value that can be readily
applied.
5. Use natural support systems whenever possible.
--See handout for practical tips for integrating persons
into community churches. (not available here)
"When through one person a little more love and goodness,
a little more light and truth comes into the world, then that
person's life has had meaning."
Fr. Alfred Delp
FAITH HEALS
STRESS The Alameda County Study, which trails nearly 7,000
Californians, showed that worshippers who participate in church
sponsored activities are markedly less stressed over finances,
health and other daily concerns than non-spiritual types (Journal
of (;Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 1998).
BLOOD PRESSURE Elderly folks in a Duke University study who
attended religious services, prayed, or read the Bible regularly,
had lower blood pressure than non-practicing peers. ('International
Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 1998).
RECOVERY In a Duke University study, devout patients recovering
from surgery spent an average of 11 days in the hospital compared
with non-religious patients who spent 25 days (Southern Medical
Journal,
1998).
MORTALITY Research on 1,931 older adults indicates that those
who attended religious services regularly have a lower mortality
rate. (American Journal of Public Health, 1998).
IMMUNITY Research on 1,700 adults found that those who attended
religious services were less likely to have elevated levels
of interleukin-6, an immune substance prevalent in people
with chronic diseases.
('International Journal of Medicine, 1997).
LIFESTYLE A recent review of several studies suggests that
spirituality is linked with low suicide rates, less alcohol
and drug abuse, less criminal behavior, fewer divorces and
higher marital satisfaction.
(Religion and Clinical Practice, 1996).
DEPRESSION Women with pious moms are 60% less likely to be
depressed in 10 years than women whose mothers aren't so reverent,
according to a Columbia University study. Daughters belonging
to the same religious denomination as their mothers are even
less likely (71%) to suffer the blues; sons were 84% less
likely. (Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry).
A Duke University study of 577 men and women hospitalized
for physical illness showed that the more patients used positive
religious coping strategies (seeking spiritual support from
friends and religious leaders, having faith in God, praying),
the lower the level of their depressive symptoms. (Journal
of
Mental and Nervous Disorders).
Information compiled by: David N Elkins, Ph. D.
Further Reading
The Healing Power of Faith; Science Explores Medicine's Last
Great Frontier, Harold G. Koenig MD
(Simon & Schuster, 1999)
The Souls Code, James Hillman (Random House, 1996)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
VIDEO: ';Welcome one, Welcome all," through interviews
and personal stories key techniques for improving
religious education programs are demonstrated for persons
with special needs. Available from the Center for Ministry
with Disabled People, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio,
45469-0317. ($30)
VIDEO: "Give it Away" (17 mm) Available from Friendship
Ministries., 2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids,
MI, ($10)
MANUAL: That All May Worship. National organization on Disability,
920 16th St. NW Suite 600, Washington DC
20006 ($10)
RESOURCE LIST: Dimensions OF Faith and Congregational Ministries
with Persons with Developmental
Disabilities and Their Families. Available from Rev. Bill
Gaventa AAMR Religion Division, 31 Alexander St.,
Princeton NJ, 08540
PR0GRA~I PIT: "Welcome to My World," a simulation
workshop designed to raise awareness of the needs and
potential of persons with disabilities, available from Special
Pastoral Services, Archdiocese of Portland, 2838 E.
Burnside St. Portland OR, 97214-1895. (503) 234-5334
BOOK: And Show Steadfast Love", a theological look at
grace, hospitality, and disabilities. Presbyterian publishing
Corp., 100 Witherspoon St., Louiville, Kentucky, 40202
BOOK: Special People. A Resource for Ministry with people
who have disabilities Pierson and Korth (eds) 1989
($20)
NEWSLETTER: AAMR Religion Division Newsletter, quarterly
publication with
new resources, conferences, inquiries, and ideas. Religion
Division, 31
Alexander St., Princeton, NJ 08540. 1-800-424-3688 ($10 yr.)
NEWSLETTER ER: Bethesda Messenger. Published by Bethesda
Lutheran Homes and Services, TOO Hoffmann Drive,
Watertown, WI, 53094-6294
Special RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES:
Supportive Care in the Congregation, Bartel and Neufeldt,
Mennonite DD
Services, 2106 Lincoln Highway, E., Box#6, Lancaster, PA 17602-1150.
(717)
2 9 3 - T
Support FOR Families of People with Disabilities, Human Service
Research Institute, 2336 Massachusetts Ave.,
Cambridge, MA 02140
