The Disabilities Ministries Awards Luncheon provided the occasion to honor leaders in disabilities ministries, Van Brandt, Janet Fadley, and Robert DeBlois.

Van Brandt of Worthington, OH was honored along with a rich network of family and wider church that recognizes his gifts, a network comprising the Ohio Conference, Southeast Association, Dublin Community UCC, the former United Church Boards for Homeland Ministries (UCBHM) and World Ministries (UCBWM), and parents Bill and Laura and family.

Born with Down syndrome, Van Brandt served in 1981-82 as a volunteer missionary for the former UCBWM in Japan and the Philippines. He was an example to Philippine families with Down syndrome children who spoke publicly of their needs for the first time. In Japan Van challenged perspectives and raised understanding of human dignity for the Japanese, many of whom had believed persons, like Van, had no value.

Van served on the Building and Grounds Committee of Dublin Community Church and attended Ohio Conference Lay Ministry training weekends, especially weekends centered on ministries of persons with disabilities. Van has volunteered at General Synods. Van, with his distinctive contributions, was recognized as a true disciple among us. The Ohio Conference is a true witness among us for being a catalyst, recognizing Van’s gifts and calling them into service within the UCC. Van read a very meaningful poem at the luncheon that he had written.

Honoree Janet Fadley who is a member of North Congregational Church UCC, Columbus, OH, was introduced with these words by Jeanne Tyler (NE), UCCDM Co-Chair: “You, Jan, are a woman of great courage and great persistence who has created a present different from her past. Hope is an awesome gift because we cannot really plan; we can only go on faith. Nevertheless, hope opens up the future to life.”

Despite severe financial limitations, a profound hearing loss, times of depression, and the impact of an abusive marriage, Jan Fadley summoned the courage to move to a new community and worked her way out of poverty. She has obtained an undergraduate degree and is now working toward a Master’s degree in community services. She works at the North Central Mental Health Services as a caseworker. From experience and study, Jan understands the ingredients for a mentally healthy life.

Jan’s pastor nominated her for her contributions as a VISTA worker with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill as the Coordinator of Project Religious Outreach. Jan responded, “It is the little things that give us that hope to hang on, little things like a dog and a hearing aid. I aim to focus on people’s abilities not what they or others think they cannot do.”

Acting both as a mentor and as mental health case worker, Jan said, “It is the being that I am that seems to be the most help to other people in their own living. What you see and what you do is bigger than the words you say.”

Honored in absentia was Robert DeBlois, an active member of the Seekonk Congregational Church of Seekonk, Massachusetts, part of the Rhode Island Conference. Robert is founder and director/principal of the Urban Collaborative Accelerated Program (UCAP), an alternative school for at-risk youth in the Providence area. Because of the high success rate of UCAP students, Robert has been named outstanding principal of the year for Rhode Island.

During college, Robert sustained a spinal chord injury. Robert is mobile by wheelchair but is unable to use his legs and arms. Outspoken advocate for inclusivity issues at the Seekonk Congregational Church (MA) and gifted educator, Rob sent this response that was read at the luncheon: “Like many in this room, my physical condition has helped me realize that a handicap does not need to be a barrier to happiness. Likewise, having a handicap does not mean that one cannot contribute to the well being and happiness of others. All of us need the help of others. I have been able to play a small role in helping others. As a result, my disability is not a tragedy or a definition of who I am. It’s mainly just an inconvenience.”

The three Awards Luncheon honorees were affirmed in these words from Rita Fiero (CT), UCCDM Co-Chair: “When we read the stories of award nominees, we see how far we have come, how much has been done, and how many are out there doing the Lord’s work in disabilities ministries. That tells us why we still do it and why we invite the church to enjoy our gifts and celebrate our gifts as we celebrate theirs.”

From DM Newsletter Archive