Wheelchair
Smiling at a flight of stairs never turned into a ramp for person using a wheelchair. (Photo by ID 128565357 © Viacheslav Iacobchuk | Dreamstime.com)
Special to the Reporter
1 Corinthians 12 talks about community as a body. In 1 Corinthians 12:22 in particular we are told, “Those who seem less important are actually indispensable.” This is an important statement because it leaves us with a question to ask ourselves.
“Who do we tell by action, attitude, or outright exclusion they are least important?”
I know, as a disabled, wheelchair-using person, I feel this sting when I am excluded from full faith life simply because of inaccessibility. Whether you like it or not, this is my reality. I am, and continue to be, excluded from full participation in the community life of the Church. After all, I cannot go to any church for worship. I wouldn’t get in. As disability advocate, Stella Young said so well, “No amount of smiling at a flight of stairs has ever made it turn into a ramp.”
Now, put yourself in my chair for a moment. Consider if every time you want to attend a function or event you have to call to see if you can get in and, even if you can get in, is the space inclusive enough for you to fully participate without being limited, restricted or left to figure out what you will be allowed to do. This is not hypothetical. This is my truth.
This also provides insight into whether or not the organizers, leaders, and people of this community consider my participation at all and answers the question, “Am I welcome?” Some might offer smile faced excuses and apologies but again, “No amount of smiling at a flight of stairs has ever made it turn into a ramp.”
The sting of my exclusion informs how I view the exclusion of others including my family in the LGBTQIA community left out from full faith community participation as a result of the decisions made by The United Methodist Church Special Session of General Conference 2019 and its prevailing attitudes.
How do I respond to their exclusion? Once more, “No amount of smiling at a flight of stairs has ever made it turn into a ramp.”
As one who knows the pain of exclusion I must speak out with my words and actions, shouting if need be, “Either everybody is included or nobody is included.” Otherwise, I am saying, “As long as space is made for me, those who are more vulnerable are, in fact, dispensable.”
In the end, it is all about love. Sure, exclusion exists beyond the Church walls too but isn’t the Church called to be different from the world? Aren’t we called to be the most loving? (Matthew 22:36-40, Mark 12:30-31)
Furthermore, we are told, “We love because God first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” (1 John 4:19-21)
Love does not exclude even with a smile on its face. “No amount of smiling at a flight of stairs has ever made it turn into a ramp."
I hope you ponder these points on inclusive love with me because while some debate how and who should be included, someone is dying without knowing they are completely loved. How will your actions today change this reality?
Who do you believe is indispensable?
Chris Wylie
The Rev. Chris Wylie
The Rev. Christopher Wylie is an ordained elder in Upper New York Annual Conference. He has cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair, and serves as a disability advocate and an advocate for love and inclusion.