The purpose of Special Touch Ministry is to provide lots of opportunities for people with disabilities to experience God, to be included in the church, and to build meaningful relationships becoming really good friends with caring believers like you and me. That is exactly what takes place each summer all over America through our Summer Get Away Program. I’m one life that has been changed as a result of ministry.

Having participated in 21 of 26 Wisconsin Summer Get Aways, I can definitely say that the connections I made the over years have enriched my life. I had the privilege of meeting Lee Austin at the first Get Away when I was just 12 years old who continues to be a great blessing to me. After graduating from college, I went to work for Trinity Software Design (later sold to Compuware Corporation). Lee, who knows all of my supervisors, was instrumental in working with my managers to evaluate some adaptive equipment to assist me with more intricate mouse work. Later when I brought my first house in Janesville, WI, Lee was the one who built the ramp allowing for easy access. This was a blessing to me and my parents since they didn’t live nearby. Lee is one of many staff who took time to get to know me and be my lifelong friend.

Throughout the years, I had the honor of making many connections through Summer Get Away. I am thrilled to have made friends with many guests. Mike, who has a cognitive disability, often came to talk to me to tell me about his desire to drive a car. After several years of trying, he did get his license.

The most memorable guest during my teen years to me is Dan. As I spent many years sleeping next to him in his iron lung, I have many fond memories of our races in our power chairs and pulling pranks on our caregivers. I don’t think one of them ever did come back, hopefully he has forgiven us. After Dan went to be with Jesus, his family moved up by my parents’ and became a reservoir of inspiration for us. They were there for me when I lost both of my parents. My friendship with him that has been a blessing to me for several years is another example of a connection made at Summer Get Away.

This past May, Larry and Penny Sauter gave me the honor of making several new connections at the IL Summer Get Away. I was blessed to meet Lyle, a 70-year man who has Cerebral Palsy and recently received the Citizen of the Year Award. He taught me that getting older with a disability is NOT something that I have to fear. I’m very excited about developing these new friendships that I made as I serve them on the Special Touch National Leadership Team.

The spiritual connection is the most important relationship that is made started at Special Touch Summer Get Aways. I am absolutely delighted that Laurie Narad met Jesus at a Get Away many years ago. She is my girlfriend, my best friend, and my co-conspirer in giving others a hard time. My life has been so blessed these 10 years of dating her. I am very thankful for Charlie & Debbie Chivers for starting a ministry that touched countless lives for eternity.

Special Touch has become much more than just a collection of Summer Get Aways and Chapters, but a family where each member is dearly loved and is highly appreciated. As the head of the Pastoral Care department, I want to encourage you all to continue to develop the friendships that you started at Summer Get Away year. Family prays for each other until things changed and sticks together no matter what, that’s why it is so important to call, write letters, or send email to you friend all throughout the year. We all go through junk that may or may not be disability related during the year when we need encouragement from our friend. At the 2007 Wisconsin Get Away, God used the difficulties with my parents to bless someone else going through similar circumstances. Take time to be a blessing to your friends this year.

Special Touch Chapters are another way you can develop friendships made at Get Away. Many people asked us over the years how they could take Special Touch home with them. The answer is the Special Touch Chapter Ministry. It is our discipleship wing where you can interact with others around you. The curriculum for the chapters is to teach God’s Word in a relevant, thought-provoking, and fun way. Chapters are like the family meal where everyone comes together and shares as it relates God’s Word. They also provide opportunities where needs can be shared and prayed for. Find a chapter near you at (http://www.specialtouch.org/chapters/locations.htm) and see how it can bless you. If you don’t have a chapter in your area, please prayerfully consider starting one. Check out the benefits of starting a local chapter at (http://www.specialtouch.org/chapters/startachapter.htm).

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