Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May/83

Contributor - Bert Altema

Title - In One Such As Christopher

Topic - Handicaps

Christopher is a mentally handicapped adult who lives in a group home with 18 other handicapped people. Like his house mates, Christopher has had some experiences that should be shared with others because of their great teaching value. The following description of an experience that Chris had will help us to gain a greater insight into the question, "What is the purpose of life in one such as Christopher?"

Watching Chris walk should cause one to smile a little. His loosely hung arms synchronize themselves with his waddle-like stroll. His feet are slightly turned inward which completes the direct analogy to Mother Goose's lazy manner in reaching a determined resting place.

Once Chris seats himself in the church pew, he is easily recognized by his hairless head. But never mind, he is here to praise his Creator and it is because of this that other church people have come to know and love Chris for who he is.

Chris patiently remains seated as the pastor speaks about things that Chris cannot comprehend. He can only fit a few words together like "Jesus loves you and me." Chris would rather enjoy the rhythmic sound of the organ and sing songs of a simple variety such as "His Banner Over Me Is Love". But Chris makes no complaints, for to be with others is looked forward to and, who knows, there might be a handshake or two in the making.

The final amen is said and the pastor sings the doxology as he walks to the sanctuary exit to bid his flock a parting blessing. Chris really appreciates this warm gesture in thinking, "Wow! A man after my own heart"'

Sensing that a monkey-see, monkey-do opportunity is close at hand, Chris casually approaches the pastor, shakes his hand but does not proceed forward as people would normally do. Instead, Chris places himself directly opposite of the pastor and grasps hands with a few people who might otherwise be missed by the reverend.

The Sunday morning koffee-kletsen are filled with the seriousness of the sermon as well as with the smiles and chuckles of Chris' unabashed behaviour.

Chris' day becomes complete with a visit to a church family who maintains contact with Chris on a regular basis. Chris' part in bringing about the Kingdom of God has been significant.

The most striking characteristic of this experience is how Christopher presents himself intellectually. Chris' intellectual abilities are limited to such an extent that he requires 24 hour supervision. He is incapable of functioning on an acceptable level within the social community because of his weaknesses in the area of decision-making, Chris' physical features are clearly indicative of Down's Syndrome which gives us an added dimension to our perception of Chris. And it is because of the obviousness of people such as Chris, who look or act somewhat differently then what we are accustomed to, that causes us to ponder the purpose of life in mentally handicapped individuals.

Why do we do this" I believe it is because the majority of our Christian community views a mentally handicapped person as being " different". It is true that Christopher is a rather unique individual, but he is unique in the sense that he does not represent someone as being "different" from what we think humans ought to be. Chris was created unique, not "different'.

If we see Chris as being an image-bearer of God, why should we then think of Chris as not being more like us than unlike us? Perhaps we have a great deal of difficulty in seeing past the label "mentally handicapped" and not seeing a person in the same way we would see people whom we consider similar to us. Perhaps what we see in a handicapped person is a reflection of our own inadequacies which we do not care to admit as readily as a mentally handicapped person would, or must. Perhaps we fail to see that the handicapped person often receives what we have chosen not to receive because we are much stronger in exercising our choice. Or, perhaps it is because most mentally handicapped people seem to live more by the heart than by reason which causes us to be confused.

Recognizing that each of us have personal barriers towards the understanding of our neighbours, whether he be labeled "handicapped" or not we can begin to look at each other more positively as we search God's Word.

John 9 is a very beautiful and pivotal chapter in teaching us the purpose that God has in using every handicapped person to glorify His name. Here, the disciples concern themselves with the blindman's past by asking, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus surely must have surprised his followers by replying, "It is not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him." Such it is with Christopher; that we learn to look past Chris's handicap and see how God is using him. We will then begin to see that a handicapped person can be a powerful witness to us in our daily living.

Another crucial part of Scripture which helps us to understand handicapped people is the first part of 2 Corinthians 12, where Paul, the apostle, is greatly hindered by a thorn in his flesh. Seeking healing from this thorn, Paul prays to God only to have our Lord say to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Here we find that we, like Paul and Christopher, have particular weaknesses, or, if you will, handicaps which will be with us until that great day of restoration and salvation arrives.

Can you imagine what significance a handicapped individual has in the Kingdom of God even though this person might be so sorrowfully dependent upon others as to warrant, unjustifiably, the label "vegetable"! Even this person is filled with miracle, worth and purpose, for he too was created in the image of God.

We can rejoice in knowing that Jesus Christ will return to bring us home and beside us we will notice that handicapped people also share in God's revelation, that is if we can take our eyes off our Lord long enough to see that joy in one such as Christopher.

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.