Disability is ‘cool’ now – but what does Christianity say about who we are?

According to The Telegraph this month, “young women, nicknamed ‘sickfluencers’ are turning chronic illness into a lifestyle trend and entrenching a culture of economic inactivity”.

Reading this headline as a disabled woman honestly felt like a punch to the gut. Although some of the author’s remarks deserve honest reflection, her article highlights an entrenched attitude towards disability that requires those afflicted to live quiet, miserable, joyless lives. But what does Christianity say about who we are as disabled people and how we should live?

I’d like to preface this by saying that this is my own experience as a disabled Christian and will not reflect the views of every disabled Christian. But I wanted to share where my thoughts are now that I’ve come to find peace in my circumstances, yet can still look forward to the healing that will come in heaven.

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“[You]… can’t have escaped the bravely smiling young women on Instagram, their profiles decked out in acronyms. POTS. ME. CF. ADHD. MDD. GAD. PMDD. EDS. FND.”

Acronyms of illnesses that I’m unfortunately all too familiar with through either my own experiences or through people that I’ve met.

I can’t help but feel that the author has somewhat misunderstood the intention behind these publicly displayed acronyms. When you have spent years of your life in agonising pain, with debilitating symptoms that impact every moment of your life and being dismissed by multiple medical professions, is it really surprising that people feel a need to share their diagnosis?

I spent a decade of my life feeling as though I was losing my mind. I was led to believe that the very real pain I was experiencing was solely caused by anxiety. Which, in hindsight, should have been taken seriously in and of itself. And while it is completely true that problems in our brain can and do cause very real physical symptoms, it is imperative that we do not dismiss those who are struggling and respond with compassion.

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When I was eventually diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, I was flooded with relief.

When I was eventually diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, I was flooded with relief. Perhaps that sounds like an unusual response to being told you have a chronic, incurable illness. But when you have spent so long suffering and questioning your own sanity, being given a ‘name’ for your illness brings you not only validation but also opens you up to a community of people who understand what you are going through.

I remember meeting a wonderful group of women a few years later who also lived with EDS. We attended a pain rehabilitation programme together at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. One evening, we were listening to the hospital radio station and one of the women took a few steps to start dancing to the Spice Girls. One minuscule shake of her hip later resulted in a partial dislocation and a lot of pain. But we spent a long time laughing. I hadn’t met any other women (who weren’t aged 80+) who could injure their hip by dancing! I declared, “I’ve found my people!” whilst still laughing.

Immediately, I started to feel guilty. Was my church not my people? And yes, of course they are. But there is something within us as humans that desires connection with those who understand.

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Even though gaining a diagnosis helped in more ways than I can count, I became increasingly convicted that God didn’t want it to become my identity.

Yes, some of those online may simply want attention. But my guess is they are few and far between. In reality, stating an illness on social media is more of a cry of validation and a need to feel that we belong somewhere that understands what we are going through. Thankfully, as Christians, we have a Saviour who is acquainted with grief and suffering (Isaiah 53:3). We will always belong with Him. The question for the Church is how can we ensure that we are extending that belonging to those with disabilities in our communities?

I actually came to a point personally where I decided to remove #EDS and #arthritis from my Instagram bio a few years ago. Even though gaining a diagnosis helped in more ways than I can count, I became increasingly convicted that God didn’t want it to become my identity. Yes, it continues to impact every area of my life. However, I felt the Lord saying that my identity is found in Him. This does not erase what I am experiencing but first and foremost grounds me in the knowledge that I am a child of God, made in His image. Reframing my thoughts in this way has helped me to find peace in my circumstances.

What a sad state of affairs when we can look at a disabled person finding small joys in their trials with contempt! Does being excited by a colourful pair of compression socks invalidate what someone is experiencing? Would we really prefer to live in a world where disabled people have no joy? I unashamedly celebrate the fact that my walking stick matches my purple wheelchair as they are truly blessings from God that bring a smile to my face. I also recently lost the scissors I need to cut my stoma bags, so I went on Amazon to get some more. I decided to spend £1 more to buy some beautiful iridescent ones and I honestly smile every time I look at them.

The Lord gives us all small blessings in life to enjoy for a time and we should praise Him for it and celebrate with others in their joy.

Ultimately, as Christians, we have a message of hope for our lost and hurting world, including those with disabilities; that eternal, lasting joy is found through belief in our risen Saviour. That each of us are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who cares deeply about every aspect of our lives and that through faith in Jesus, there will come a day when our trials will finally be over.

For more information about how your church can support those with disabilities: Through The Roof is a registered charity that exists to transform lives through Jesus with disabled people. Belonging Without Barriers - Triona Brading, Lois Bunyan, Claire Wood - A fantastic resource for all those who seek to build accessible Christian community