Published on December 4, 2023, 2:09 am

Image source: Fox News

In a profound journey of realization and personal growth, my team at Compassion embarked on an inspiring yet heartrending trip to the Dominican Republic. Our mission as supported by our Christian worldview was simple – to witness firsthand the difference local churches were making in the lives of families and children enrolled in our program. But God had a more profound lesson waiting for me.

During one of our field visits, we met a family living with their neighbors after losing their home in recent storms. The two families were crammed into a small house, and lying inside on a bed was a 13-year-old boy with Down syndrome. His frailty suggested he’d never learned to walk.

I asked one of our staff members if he was part of our program, only to receive disheartening news – the local church lacked sufficient resources to support his needs adequately. Despite being better equipped than rural communities, even larger cities would find it hard pressed to provide him adequate assistance without financial strain.

This unspeakable revelation left tears flowing down my cheeks as I thought about my son Cade back at home in the United States. He too has Down Syndrome like this young boy but unlike him enjoys access to early intervention therapies and other essential resources thanks to our fortunate circumstances.

The painful reality is that limited disability funding affects countless countries worldwide, particularly low-income ones. Even in wealthier nations where resources are plenty, challenges remain high due to societal stigma, inaccessible environments, and unsustainable systems which collectively deny over 200 million children with disabilities critical rights such as education.

That’s what truly sets my trip apart from any other mission- realizing how significantly it impacts an individual’s life when they can’t access vital aids required for persons with disabilities. Amberle Brown from Compassion summed it up well by noting how disabled children often end up being pushed aside society-wise given that disability and poverty tend to perpetuate each other.

So what’s next? We strive towards inclusive interventions that embrace rather than marginalize children with disabilities. At present, over 28,000 of them are now signed up in our program where they receive the unique assistance required to explore their untapped potential. And success stories are clear to see; a few remarkably inspiring ones include Melany from El Salvador who defied expectations by not just learning to walk but also running and by Kader from Burkina Faso who became the nation’s top student despite suffering from visual impairment.

While we find these narratives heartening echoes of divine faith and goodness, there remains a long path ahead. This Sunday marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and it’s essential to remember that countless children worldwide are still dealing with physical or intellectual handicaps- in fact, hundreds on our waiting lists are eager for sponsorship.

Just like my husband and I chose to sponsor two extra children after returning back home, countless more persons need support too. All people- including those with disabilities- deserve recognition of their worth, accessibility resources crucial for leading wholesome lives, and requisite advocacy at every step.

Though it might seem like an uphill journey right now, it is the ‘least’ among us that we’re called to serve according to biblical teachings. We mustn’t forget how unique each child is – disability or not, impoverished circumstances or otherwise – as we continue championing for them day after day.

For real trusted news on progress worldwide in managing physically or intellectually disadvantaged kids amongst us or support details for programs catering such initiatives, consider signing up for newsletters offering just that! Let’s change the narrative one child at a time because every single one deserves love and protection regardless.