Karen was fifteen when she developed a rare form of muscular dystrophy known as Friedrich’s Ataxia. When she was around thirty she had to use an electric wheelchair that she operated with one hand. She soon required a personal assistant to dress and bathe and prepare food. She met a man named Rich who also used a wheelchair, having been paralyzed from the waist down by polio as a child.
Ten years ago I did their premarital counseling and performed their wedding ceremony. Everyone in the wedding party was seated, including me as the presiding minister because I have MS. The best man was a quadriplegic and, of course, in his wheel chair. I have performed a number of weddings throughout the years but never one more inspiring or more memorable.
Can you imagine the negative thoughts Karen and Rich had to overcome to envision a marriage with their severe disabilities?
But these two special people have learned the power of changing their minds. Karen says, “As my disability has progressed, I am constantly reminded to rethink my attitude, and have a godly focus, realizing that I am given the opportunity to pray much more diligently. I have learned to laugh, instead of getting frustrated.”
In my book, Mind Change, Power Thought # 4 says:
Accept whatever
comes. . .with faith.
Disappointment? Faith.
Unfairness? Faith.
Fear? Faith.
Thank you, Karen and Rich, for showing us faith in difficult circumstances.
Tom, thank you for sharing this. They are amazing examples.. Karen & Rich are in our group, I am so thankful to their being.
ReplyDeleteSoyoung