The Department of Ministry to Children with Special Needs suggests making the first week of April to be a time for expressing special attention to families who have either children or adults with chronic handicap or a handicap they developed in their childhood.
The world community at the highest level, the Organization of United Nations declared special days of attention to people with handicap, and they are:
- March 21st -- day of a person with Down syndrome
- April 2 -- day of informing about Autism
- September 24th -- special day for those who are hard of hearing
- November 11th -- day of those who have a difficulty with sight and others.
According to statistics, 10% of the world population are people with chronic or developed handicap, and many of them require constant care and support. The caretakers of their family also need support and understanding since besides the government support that are offered, these people are on their posts 24/7 ministering to those family members in need.
As Christians, we have a special calling to respond to the needs of our neighbors. We have families around us who have children or adults with handicaps. All of us as brothers and sister scan give them our attention and support of kind words of encouragement, contribute a small gift, visit them or invite them into our homes, or something else that we can come up with. Doing so will not be very difficult for us, but for them it will mean a lot! And the grateful words from the mouths of these same people with special needs and other family members will glorify our Lord and will be a blessing to all of us!
May the Lord accomplish this fruit of love in your hearts during this special Resurrection Sunday week, when we will be glorifying our Lord for the salvation given to us! Christ has risen!
Natalya Smolikova
Head of the Association’s Department of Ministry to Children with Special Needs
