The first rain of the season made the sidewalk and the ramped stairway to the church glisten in the morning sunshine. Although there was no danger of frost or black ice at this season of the year, the faint call for help sent a chill up the morning greeters' spines. Living together since the 1970's, Martha had been helping her sister Julia manage a walker from her car parking place to the sanctuary every Sunday morning for the last ten years. Fiercely independent, the two often turned away offers of assistance from youth and church leaders with a confident, "Thanks anyway, just give us time and we'll be just fine." But this March morning was different.

Martha had sustained a slight shoulder injury while tending her garden earlier in the week and had her strong right arm in a sling. Julia's walker had gotten caught on the lip of the disabled access area and dropped to the cold, wet pavement. Within minutes, three people arrived to help Julia up and out of the chilly air.

Does this scenario seem frighteningly familiar to you? It certainly does to any of us in our concern for our friends, no matter what their age group, but particularly for those who are experiencing physical challenges.

Are there increasing numbers of people in your church family who are faced with responsibilities for assisting friends and relatives with temporary or permanent physical challenges? Do you have members of your congregation or visitors to your church who struggle with physical limitations but resist asking for assistance? Are you concerned when you see healthy elderly people ssisting friends or relatives in and out of automobiles as they come to worship or take part in our social gatherings? Do you hesitate to offer assistance to people with injuries or limitations because you do not want "to make things worse" by possibly causing "additional pain or injury"? Most of us find a loud "Yes!" echoing through our minds as we consider these questions. No matter our church size or geographic location, we face these challenges and are called to respond in a caring, helpful way.

At the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference 2005 session, a retired therapist and assistance provider with more than thirty years of experience was invited to present a training workshop during our laity session. Lay members attending the workshop took the information back to their local congregations and were invited to develop their own programs.

In the three-hour session, participants learned and practiced safe methods of transfer from wheelchairs, cars, pews, and walkers. There was discussion of ways to assess personal abilities so further injury can be minimized; improve the level of home and church safety; and increase awareness of the specific needs of individuals with hearing, sight, and physical limitations. Our skilled and experienced presenter increased our level of confidence, helping us work together to provide inclusive ministry to our community and encourage wellness for all.

Based on our experiences and the response we received, we encourage you to plan and promote a similar workshop or series of workshops in your own congregation, using skills and information from local experts.

To assist you with your planning, know that our workshop addressed the following situations and provided hands-on coaching in responsive techniques:

• Body Mechanics — How to use your body without getting hurt.
• How to stabilize a person who is standing.
• Ways to help someone out of a chair or pew.
• What to do when someone is on the floor.
• How to go from a lying position to a sitting position.
• How to transfer from one surface to another, using leverage instead of lifting in the home and church setting.
• How to use commodes, toilets, wheelchairs, chairs, and cars.
• Safe use of equipment: wheelchairs, walkers, canes.
• Tips on being with and helping people with hearing or visual impairment.
• How to assess the physical layout and hazards in your church setting and make the necessary corrections.

As you become aware of needs in your local setting through knowledge of surgery, physical challenges, participation in therapy or needs shared by home visitors, you will be able to use these skills and techniques to promote wellness throughout your community. You will be better able to provide a ministry of caring, response, and support through your efforts.

Please remember: None of this responsive training and practice is meant to replace medical care. Medical emergencies require trained medical assistance, so be sure to call for emergency response teams when that is necessary for everyone's health and safety.

Return to Center Sage "Contents" page.

Jane L. Hill, Older-Adult Ministries, Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference, 92273 Simonsen Road, Astoria, OR 97103. E-mail: Contact at jjaj@centurytel.net. Phone: 503-458-6633.

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