Love, not limitation – a story of faith, disability and inclusion
- deansimpson7
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Lydia Bruford lives with a rare eye condition called Aniridia, which has caused her to be visually impaired. She is a passionate follower of Jesus, a lifelong Salvo, and an advocate for disability inclusion. Her husband, Lieutenant Dave Bruford, is the Corps Officer of Devonport Salvos in Tasmania. On International Day of People with Disability, Lydia shares her journey of living with a disability.
BY LYDIA BRUFORD
I start with a story about a God who listens and sees, not to scrutinise, but to support. This story captures the core message of my life journey living with a disability.
In the Bible book of Exodus, chapter 4, God calls Moses to go to Egypt and tell the Pharaoh (ruler) to let the Israelites go free. It isn’t a moment of perfect readiness; it’s a scene full of fear, uncertainty and unwillingness. Moses, aware of his difficulties with his ability to speak, pushes back: “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now ...” (verse 10). But God doesn’t dismiss him, rush him, or ‘fix’ him. Instead, he listens.
Then God does something both human and divine. He validates Moses’ abilities and worries, and offers partnership: “What about your brother Aaron? ... I will help both of you speak” (verses 14-16).
Making space
When God meets Moses in his fear and limitations, he doesn't demand anything. He responds with love. God didn’t silence or dismiss Moses. He journeyed alongside him.
People living with a disability desire the same response from those around them that God gave to Moses. Not pity or performance, but authentic love and care. Not curiosity about their diagnosis, but a genuine commitment to hear their story.
We often ask questions about someone’s disability out of curiosity. However, curiosity without empathy can seem intrusive. Listening that fosters a genuine connection – that’s where love develops.
Not broken
Living with a disability doesn’t mean you are broken or unseen, even if those around you or society might suggest otherwise. This includes the church.
When people assume I can’t do something, or that I need fixing, it often reveals more about their view of disability than about my actual abilities.
These assumptions have been painful spaces for me, but in finding and encountering Jesus in the pain, I realised that Jesus was the one who didn’t need me to be healed, didn’t need me to be a certain way to be loved. I experienced that he listened. He gave me strength. He saw me. He loves me. That I was worthy of God’s love by just being me.
Inclusion
I have a couple of suggestions on how to include someone with a disability:
· Don’t assume someone’s limitations or needs; build a relationship first. Change the questions. Instead of “What’s your condition?”, ask “How can we best communicate with / support you?”
· Avoid asking questions out of curiosity; a person with a disability will usually share the information you need. This might change once you’ve built an authentic relationship with them.
People with disabilities are part of God’s plan, not an afterthought. Are you willing to respond as God did to Moses?
For more information on International Day of People with Disability, click here
