During my time in Missouri as an advocate for individuals and families of a child with a disability I was fortunate to work with a variety of school systems during the IEP (Individualized Educational Program) process. I worked as an advocate with the family and child attending IEP meetings, working together with the school updating plans, writing new plans, working on transitional services, and a host of additional processes pertinent to each individual child. I learned quickly that no two school systems were the same, as were no two educators. My biggest struggles came in a small community in Northeastern Missouri. Families were having a difficult time communicating effectively with school administration and felt that the needs of their child were not being met. Being new and not quite knowing the lay of the land, I decided to get to know these administrators and discover just how they worked.

After observing several meetings both IEP and otherwise it became clear that there was a feeling of defensiveness that was felt of both sides. Once this divisiveness entered into a meeting, well that pretty much set the tone, and not too much was accomplished. I decided to start prepping families before meetings, not just on the how to but on the how to attitude. I really began to see that it was all how you came to the table. If you came to the table believing that we are all going to get along and get something great accomplished here for the most important person in the world…MY CHILD…then that would happen. However, if you showed up on the defense, ready for a fight, well, a fight is what you can expect. My Granny used to tell me “You draw more flies with honey than vinegar.” That was never quite as true as in an IEP meeting.

In meetings the group working together, writing the IEP is called the IEP team. Families began to look at the team as just that, a team. As in the body of Christ we are all members of the same team, working together for a greater good. Each player serving a unique purpose, each purpose needed in order for the body to fully function in a healthy way to best serve the Lord. Coming together and respecting one another’s ideas and skills in the process of creating the IEP as well as carrying out the services as indicated in the IEP became a part of the bigger picture for this community. It was amazing as an advocate to observe communication barriers dissolve and new working relationships develop. Now mind you this did not happen overnight. I was a part of advocating for families within this school system for over seven years, however within that time children were served in a new way, and families who had previously been dissatisfied with services were leaving meetings with a smile, and were actually remaining pleased with services throughout the school year.

In looking at the IEP process itself it is important to recognize that while each school system works differently there is a core set of protocol established by the Federal Government to ensure that each child receives a quality education. The IEP enables educators, administrative staff, all ancillary services, and the students family to work together to provide the best possible outcomes for the child. The IEP process is driven by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), however, it is important to note that each state and local municipality may include additional information within their IEP document which explains why documents may look different within different school systems.

In order to be eligible for an IEP the child must first be identified, evaluated, and eligibility must be determined. Once the child is found to be eligible for services an IEP meeting is the scheduled. As parents or guardians of a child with a disability it is important to recognize your right to ensure that the time of the meeting is appropriate for you as well as anyone that you wish to invite. You may invite a trusted family friend, an advocate, or medical staff that you have found to be supportive to both you and your child. It is important as parents to remember that you are your child’s best advocate. From the onset you should maintain a ledger of all communication with school staff either by phone or any conversation you may have had on school premises. Keep a log of dates and keep copies of all written communication with school staff. This is supportive in assisting you in remembering all of the services that your child should be receiving as well as assisting you if later there is a grievance (which hopefully there will not be).

After the IEP meeting is scheduled the meeting is held and the IEP is written. The current performance of the child is discussed, annual goals of the child are determined as are the special education and related services to be received. Determination will be made regarding the amount of time the child will spend in the regular classroom. Additionally the child’s part in state in district tests will be determined as well as dates and places. As your child gets older one of the most significant discussions that will take place in the IEP process is transition services. This takes place at age 14 or younger. At the age of 16 needed transition services will begin. Within the IEP there will be discussion regarding the age of majority. How progress will be measured and reported will also be covered within the IEP process. Once the IEP is written the services will be provided to the student. Progress is measured and reported to the parents. The IEP will be reviewed on an annual basis unless there is a request made by the parents or guardians to review the IEP at another time. Every three years the child will be re-evaluated.

If you do not agree with the IEP attempt to work with the school in order to reach an agreement. If this is not possible it will then be important to utilize mediation. If mediation does not support the family in achieving the needed results it will be important to begin what is called “due process.” Mediation must be made available to the family during the time of due process. Additionally a family may file a complaint with the State Education Agency (SEA) if they believe that the rights as stated under the IDEA were violated. The SEA has 60 calendar days to resolve the complaint, unless there are special circumstances.

Remember that the IEP is the cornerstone of the educational process. Recognizing the strengths of your child as you work through the process enables a quality plan, promoting a positive attitude among team members. Focusing on teamwork and quality communication enables team members to listen to one another and respect one another. You are there to support your child in receiving the best education possible. Come to the meeting with a Christ-centered attitude. When educators see positive parents willing to work together, it can make all the difference.

Continuing to look at how to work within the schools and making the IEP process work for you, I will share a technique called mapping with everyone in my next installment. Mapping enables parents and students to look at where they want to be at the end of their education and essentially work backwards from there in an IEP process, ensuring that plans include all of the tools to support students in achieving their dreams. I look forward to sharing this with all of you next time.

U.S. Department of Education. (2007). My child’s special needs: A guide to the Individualized Educational Program. Retrieved July 17th, 2008, from http://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/iepguide/index.html.

Heidi E. Johnson M.S.

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).

We all have that first memory of when we were a youngster. In remembering mine, I remember being four years old and hanging out with my dad at his friend’s house. We had just stopped at the store, on the way to his friend’s house, and he bought this gigantic balloon for me, so I’d have something to do while he visited with his friend. It wasn’t even into the first 15 minutes of his visit that my balloon got away and sailed into the heavens. All I remember doing was crying and chasing after it. Seeing this, my dad called me back, and we hopped in the car and chased after that balloon everywhere. It actually turned out to be a really fun time. Although we never caught the balloon, I’ll never forget the time I spent with my father chasing it.

Like I said, we all have certain aspects of life that we remember. We have those that we regret but sometimes those we regret turn out to be the ones we learn from the most and the ones that help us understand how important our Heavenly Father is to us. Growing up, I found myself just loving sports and going outside to do a lot of different things. Playing baseball was the passion I had. I remember those spring days and that freshly cut grass outside, and I would get excited just knowing that baseball season was about to begin, and we’d be out there throwing and catching the ball and trying to crank out those home runs in Little League.

At this time, I really didn’t understand anything about religious reasoning, or even have a clue about what or who Jesus was. In my mind, churches were just places for people to be bored, or maybe go to a wedding. I never thought of them as places to worship a living God. That lack of knowledge leads you to think that the ways of the world are going to be your source to fill your needs and wants. This hit me when I became a teenager and started experimenting with alcohol. I started drinking when I was about 16 years old at a pretty regular rate. I thought the only way you could have fun was by going out partying every weekend and drinking until you couldn’t remember what happened. But even with that, I was very involved in sports at my school and during the summer.

When I finally graduated high school in 1989, I found myself without much going on in life I decided to join the Army National Guard as avionics mechanic, (communication and navigation repairmen of helicopters) and I really did love it. On top of everything else I found myself in the best shape of my life, and it really made me feel good about who I was and what I was about. I was still a heavy drinker on the weekends, in my mind that just made me a better and more fun person to be around. By the time I was 25 years old, I had a degree in electronics technology, a great job, playing ball and was loving life. I really thought it would never get any better than this. When you’re living the ways of the world you find yourself completely caught up in self-centeredness and will do anything to be able to please yourself. I will admit, I was one of these people. My life at this time was about what I could get out of it, and really didn’t mind who got hurt while doing it.

There was a day in September of 1996 that changed my life forever. It’s a beautiful Saturday night and was a beautiful Saturday night and I was enjoying myself having drinks at a wedding that I stood up in. I was all dressed up in my tuxedo, I was feeling no pain and it felt like nothing could ever get better than this. I’d had a little too much to drink but still thought I could drive home without a problem. As you’ll come to find out, I was a little off on my thinking. It was about two o’clock in the morning when I came to the on ramp to my house. Having slow reflexes at the time I made my turn too late and ended up hitting the gravel and rolling my Jeep. During the roll the roof collapsed and I ended up having a compound fracture of my right leg and dislocating the C4 vertebra in my neck. This crushed my spinal cord and left me unable to move anything below my neck. After spending a week in intensive care I’ll never forget the day the doctor came into my room and notified me that I was never going to be able to move anything below my neck again. All I could think about for a while after this was baseball.

During my time in rehab I acted like nothing was bothering me, but it was easy to see it was because I was refusing visits from my friends who wanted to come see me. It was just easier to tell them that everything was okay and to stay home and not worry. This attitude went on for about four to five years. Around April of 2001 things really seemed to have gotten out of control in my life. First of all, my grandpa had just had a stroke and heart attack, my dog had just died, and the girl I was dating had left me for one of my friends, all within a month. At this time, I had no clue where to turn, so I decided to try something new in my life and opened up a Bible and turned it straight to Proverbs. Verse 16:25 reads There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. This verse helped me think so much. I really thought I was doing the right things in my life, but even five years after my accident I still hadn’t a clue.

I happened to find a flyer that was about a year old sitting in my drawer. It talked about a church here in Columbus called the Columbus Christian Fellowship. I’d never been to a church before so I thought I’d give it a shot. I ended up calling the pastor and setting up a meeting to come in that Sunday. Sunday came and I drove my wheelchair about 2 miles across town to check out this church. I was very pleasantly surprised that it was wheelchair accessible. The pastor and I talked for a little while, and then when the service came about I was intimidated but also moved and actually had a physical feeling of true comfort. Since I enjoyed the church so much the first time, I decided to keep going back. To this day I’m still part of that church. Now this is what the Heavenly Father can do for you. The pastor of the church at the time was Pastor Larry Campbell (if you’re not sure who Larry is, he is now a missionary for people with disabilities for Special Touch Ministry). One day, five months after I started attending church, I found myself sitting in the middle of the park crying (if you knew me, you would know that would be strange for me) and coming to grips with what I am. People may say or focus on my disability, but who I truly am is a child of God with an all loving, perfect God who loves me so much that he bled on a cross for me. Galatians 3:26 echoes this, for you are all children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This verse is vital to me. Although I may have a physical shortcoming, if you read this verse there is one key word. That word is “all”, which tells us everybody NO MATTER THE SITUATION matter the situation can be a child of God.

I was able to overcome the looking upon myself with the world’s eyes and started to use the guidelines of the Bible for my life, finding myself no better or worse than even the greatest athletes in the world. Ever since finding Jesus my life has changed dramatically, both physically and spiritually. My God has blessed me and helps me see so much more clearly now. I’ve never been happier and have come to realize that although my disability can be hard sometimes, I’m so thankful for what my weakness has brought me. It’s been 12 years since my car accident and at this time I’ve recovered enough arm movement that I can drive. I am in the middle of getting my Masters degree and becoming licensed as a Christian counselor. I’m excited to start my new journey. So as you can see from the beginning of my story, which entailed chasing something that went into the heavens and realizing I would never catch it, I learned that when you have your Heavenly Father you will never lose Him.

Did you ever feel like God had put something on your heart, but didn’t have any idea how it could be accomplished? As a teenager, knowing that God had called me, I had a few objections, like Moses when God called him. I thought that my speech challenges in some way disqualified me from being used by the Lord, I thought that He would be better served if He just found someone else. I didn’t want to share what God had put on my heart, because as a youth I was too afraid of what others might think. The enemy tried to put all those thoughts in my head so that I would say “no” to everything God wanted to do through me. The account of God calling Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:20 is an excellent example of how we should respond to Him.

In verse 10 after receiving instruction from Eli, Samuel basically tells the Lord that here he is to listen to whatever the Lord wanted to say. Notice that when the Lord called to him the previous two times that Samuel merely heard God’s voice and responded with natural wisdom. Exodus tells us the story of how God called Moses and he responded in the natural by not wanting anything to do with this calling. Being used by God begins with listening to what He is saying.

My attitude about God’s calling started to change one year at Summer Get Away when a friend came to me and asked me if I sensed a call to ministry. She said that God showed her that He wanted to use me. If that wasn’t enough, my great-aunts called my parents and told them that God showed them that He would use me. This was very encouraging to me because there is no way they could have known unless God really did show them. My success in a Teen Bible Quiz league also encouraged me that my challenges could be overcome. The quiz coordinator was a Speech Pathologist that was familiar with my challenge. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit didn’t give up on me and taught me that it is not about my disability but it is all about Jesus and what He wants to do through me, regardless of my challenges.

Did you ever feel like you don’t make a difference? When I used a power wheelchair several years ago, my friends told me that I was naughty for running over their little toes. They told me that their toes were very, very important and didn’t want me to run them over anymore. Toes may be small, often hidden, and forgotten at times (until I run them over) but they are vital to one’s mobility.

Whether God calls us to a visible ministry or to a “camouflage” ministry like a toe, we need to be prepared to listen to Him however He directs us. Some of you may minister in the context of a church while others may minister in a group home. I am reminded of the Prophet Daniel who was a mighty man of God but ministered in the setting of political administration. My friend, Stacey, is a delivery nurse in a hospital and sees her job as her ministry. Sometimes things can be difficult for parents who are having a baby, and she has the opportunity to share a timely word that conveys the love of Jesus. Like little toes, Stacey’s ministry is not very visible in the church but is very needed by young parents. Stacey has been a blessing to so many and is always eager to cut up my food. However, I would be very terrified if I had to be her patient! I believe that God has a great plan for each of us and wants us to work together as one body.

Verses 18-19 indicate that Samuel obeyed the word of the Lord and eventually served as God’s spokesman. I believe that when he says, “Here I am” to God, he was also saying, “Here I am to obey you Lord.” A casual study of Samuel’s life would reveal that he often choose obedience over sacrifice. Samuel grew-up being faithful to the One who called him as a young boy.

On the other hand, the account of Moses’ calling in Exodus makes it clear that he had some doubts about God’s plan to lead His people to freedom. Moses’ concern about speaking wasn’t anything new to God, He already had Aaron prepared to help him with it. Moses became alarmed when he saw his limitation in light of the God-size challenge that was ahead of him. The issue wasn’t so much his speech as it was his understanding that God wanted to do great things through him. It is easy to get focused on the challenge, but God wants us to keep our focus on Him.

Like Moses, God had a plan to overcome the challenges presented by my speech concerns as I type out each word in PowerPoint slides. Listener can then read my sermons while I am speaking. People in my church have commented they can better understand my conversational speech as a result of hearing me speech. Typing out my sermons requires an extra effort on my part, but it is rewarding to hear the laughter, to see the tears, and know that people are being touched by God. While I would MUCH rather work behind the scenes, it is not about me but all about God. Whether I wash feet, develop computer programs, write articles, or speak; I want to do all of them for the glory of God.

I want to encourage you whether you are disabled or not to say “Here I Am” waiting on the Lord seeing what the Lord has for you. Regardless of disability, we are all equally important and have a ministry to do for the Lord. If God has laid a passion on your heart and aren’t sure how to get started, please email me at bmattrisch@specialtouch.org. Don’t let your challenge keep you from the destiny that God wants you to posses. Look for more about using your God-given gifts in upcoming eNewsletter issues.

I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over 30 years ago.  I was frightened because I didn’t really know what that meant or what would happen to me. A friend of my parents had MS, and I could remember overhearing someone say when I was very young that it really would be better if he just died.  I didn’t know if I was going to die, and I didn’t know what would happen to me if I did.  I had gone to church all my life and knew about heaven, but I didn’t really know what I had to do to go there.  When I was in college some friends invited me to a prayer meeting, either thinking that I was already a Christian or (more likely) knowing that I wasn’t but needed to become one.  I saw things in their lives that I wanted in mine and in 1981 I gave my heart to Jesus.

I am now disabled and spend at least twelve hours every day sitting in my wheelchair.  My physical condition continues to deteriorate, and I need help with all my daily care including bathing, dressing, and usually eating.  My physical body doesn’t work very well any more, but physical healing is not something I think about very often.

Of course I believe God can heal me if that is His will.  Nothing is too hard for God, and if He chooses to heal my physical body He can do so in an instant of time.  But physical healing is not the greatest desire of my heart, nor is it usually the focus of my prayers.  My greatest desire is that God will use me – however and wherever He will.

I’ve been so privileged to see some of the ways God has used me, many of which simply would not have happened if I was not disabled.  When I started college I wanted to be a music teacher.  I became disabled just a few years later and gradually found that music therapy was really the path I needed and wanted to follow.  My career as a music therapist gave me opportunities to share the love of Jesus with more people than I can even remember.  My involvement with Special Touch in a few different capacities has also given me many such things as opportunities and has helped me grow as a Christian.  God has shown me that He truly can use “the weak things of this world.”

Since I stopped working in July of 2007 I’ve been searching for new ways that God might use me.  I am volunteering at the facility where I worked and praying that God will lead me in other directions as well.

I have already received the greatest (and only eternal) healing I will ever have on this earth.  God saved me and healed my soul over 25 years ago and has given me the sure hope of eternal life with Him.  Physical healing, which might make my life easier for a time, can’t begin to compare with the promise I already have.  I am so blessed.

Nancy Vyvyan