Serving at the Beaver Dam Chapter

By Bradley A Mattrisch
One of the marks of a good leader is the ability to engage the people he/she is leading. Nancy and her staff at the Beaver Dam Chapter have done just that. Their Chapter is a shining light in their community, because they enable people with disabilities to serve and use their gifts.

The Chapter Officers motivate the attendees by creating opportunities for them. “Tina operates the sound system and has blessed the group with human videos that she performs, ” Nancy shares. “Connie loves to give cards, so she hands out the birthday cards while we sing happy birthday. Alice helps lead worship and always has encouraging words to share. She is visually impaired as well Debbie is willing to help clean up after meetings and washing the table leaving the room neater than when we started.”

Recently, the Chapter sponsored a Community Disability Awareness Event. The day was filled with opportunities for people with disabilities to serve the community. The Chapter bell choir performed for the public at this event. The Chapter also provided awareness for people in the community to see how the blind would negotiate with a cane. There was even the opportunity to experience an obstacle course in a wheelchair. It was a great day of serving the community.

If you’re a leader where people with disabilities are under your leadership, I encourage you to look beyond their limitations and see their God-given potential. As you learn their strengths, you’ll be able to more readily engage them in serving. Like in Beaver Dam, amazing things will happen as they serve using their gifts.

Family Time at Summer Get Away

By Bradley A Mattrisch
Not having children of my own, I enjoy the times where the kids at my church play with me. Noah loves seeing things move and thinks it’s a treat to push my wheelchair. Although he has special needs, Noah just wants to be a KID and have fun like others his age.

For families impacted by disability, the opportunity for recreation is greatly diminished. Many of them want to get away from the pressures of life, including disability. Special Touch has a track at Summer Get Away where the entire family can attend. This past year, Wayne and his family attended the Wisconsin Summer Get Away for the first time. Each person had a blast!

Gayle, his wife, enjoyed sharing with the other moms to learn how their families overcame challenges. God brought several people across her path during the week that inspired her.

Spencer who has disabilities just loved the freedom he had at Summer Get Away to run and play. Wayne’s other children also enjoyed taking a break from their routine. It gave them an opportunity to relax and have fun as a family.

Wayne had a wonderful experience at the beach as he paused to take a break from the week’s activities. He shared what happened:

At the point of exhaustion from the week, I took some time for me, just to lay on the beach, half in the lake and half out. The waves would go in and out and I would feel the cool water followed by the hot sun. As I was lying there with my eyes closed, I could hear everyone playing around me. I was so relaxed. All my cares seemed to have vanished for a few minutes. I was no longer burdened by being Spencer’s dad, being unemployed, having a mother-in-law in her last months here on earth, having a wife with stress, anxiety, and panic attacks. For that moment there were no bills that needed to be paid, schedule’s that needed to be kept, no chores needing to be done. It was easily the best 30 minutes I have had in a very long time.

Special Touch is excited to provide opportunities for family members to connect with each other and with God. Summer Get Away was an opportunity for Wayne’s family to ‘recharge their batteries’ and find rest from an incredible amount of stress. Throughout the year, remember to take time away from your stress and enjoy each other’s fellowship.

STREAM Brings Hope

As Director of STREAM (Special Touch Ready Emergency Assistance Mission), Thomas Carpenter brings hope to families suddenly confronted with disability. The risk of disability increases as people age. Al, who was near retirement age, had a stroke that left him with a disability.

Al’s wife, Sallie says, “The hardest thing for me to accept was the severity of his condition – it took me time to accept that he’d never talk and that he was disabled.” Tasks such as: home health, buying equipment, and making doctor appointments all fell on her shoulders. They seem overwhelming for anyone confronted by them for the first time.

STREAM is here to help families, like Sallie and Al, cope with their unfortunate circumstances and offer assistance. This ministry is all about expressing God’s love in a tangible way.

Recently, Thomas presented Scotty Jones, a man who is challenged by Cerebral Palsy, with the title to a van. He was, to say, a “little beside himself” literally. The van is setup for Scotty to drive.

Thomas loves to make the lives of people with disabilities easier in tangible ways. If you have a project for him or want to help, please call us today!

Facilitating Summer Get Away

Special Touch Ministry has been blessed with an incredible resource in the Tech Truck. It travels across the nation to support the Summer Get Away Program. The Truck is supplied with everything from store merchandise to the sound system to medical resources used by nurses.

The Tech Team, directed by Rev. Carl Hespe, is a group of unselfish servants who are committed to working behind the scenes to ensure each Summer Get Away runs smoothly. The team specializes in removing barriers and designing new inventions greatly assisting staff in caring for people with disabilities. One caregiver said, “Wow, is there anything the team can’t do? They always find the resources I need.”

These supports enhance the opportunity for people with disabilities to embrace God’s love and let go of those things that keep them from reaching higher. The reward for Carl’s team is simply watching God touch hearts as people with disabilities give their anger and resentment to God. Changed lives are exactly what Tech is ALL about!

Carl is always looking for candidates with tech skills to join his team. Contact Carl today to find out how you can serve on his team at an upcoming Summer Get Away! It will be a life-changing experience!

Thank you, Tech Team, for making a huge difference!