Sunday,
July 6, 2003
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Holding hands at 'God's Table'
Special friendship focuses on abilities
By SARAH ROHRER and JENNIFER RUPP
Goshen College Sunday, July 6, 2003
A fourth grader from Surry, N.D., Sally has limited vision. Audra Baker, a third-year nursing student at Eastern Mennonite University, volunteers at the children’s convention as Sally’s personal assistant. Sally, who is attending a convention for the first time, said she has especially enjoyed making pictures with stickers and playing soccer in A-Junction. While they participated in the “God’s Children … Many Kinds of Abilities” workshop, Audra helped Sally feel several objects set in one pile so that Sally could “see” through her fingers. “When we talk about God’s table and inviting people of all backgrounds _ including those with disabilities _ we have an example in our midst,” said Carol Grieser, director of the children’s convention, as she watched Audra help Sally at the workshop. Grieser said the two have become good friends. “You see them walking down the hall chatting. … Sally was a little bit skeptical at first, but Audra has just helped her so much. Now, Sally comes in with a smile and hates to leave.” Sally confirmed the friendship: “I didn’t want to go to the hotel. I wanted to stay!”  |
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