Sisters Conference at Mwandeo Hope for People with Disabilities in the Kingdom

  I am a 57 year old brother who has been baptized for 26 years. I have cerebral palsy caused by a breech birth. With cerebral palsy, the messages telling the muscles to move take longer to transmit through the nervous system from the brain with a greater amount of physical energy expended to move the muscles.I was ambulatory from age 3 to age 49. I accomplished the same things that persons without disabilities do. I attended public school, played sports, rode a two-wheeled bicycle, earned a college degree in 8 ½ years, and worked as a welding engineer for a worldwide engineer/construction corporation for 12 ½ years .

  I woke up one morning with sciatica. The combination of strong quadriceps in my thighs with a weak arching back caused by the tendency of walking on my toes for 46 years created a hinged effect on the sciatic nerve. I have not been able to strengthen the muscles in my lower back.

  Eventually I had to use a walker (a walker is referred to as a ‘frame’ in Great Britain) and a power wheelchair which can be lifted on and off public transportation buses to get around. Now I tire more easily because my muscles are losing flexibility with age and it takes more energy to move them. It takes me longer to perform tasks. When transported by the brethren, I use a manual wheelchair to travel long distances at meetings and other activities in the Truth.

  Currently, I do volunteer work three days a week as a technical writer for a non-profit organization which provides services to people with disabilities who are poor. I am developing a plan for the organization to provide information, assistance and other services to people with and without disabilities in response to disasters. With all my physical challenges I have hope in the promises in Isaiah 35 and 40:29,31 for people with disabilities in the Kingdom of God on the earth.

Bro. Jim Stinehoff (U.S.A.)