Akos: So Jason, tell us about your disability. What is it like to live with it, and your faith in God? 

Jason: And of course, I do have cerebral palsy, and that affects the way I speak and move. So, it does take a bit more time and energy as you might expect. But, in terms of faith, the good news is that what God asks of people anyone can do, because what God asks isn’t about their ability, but it’s about character.

As you just mentioned, it is about cultivating a character that honours Him [God] and reflects who He is. And it’s not based on any kind of ability that one may or may not have.

Akos: Absolutely, it’s wonderful that God welcomes everyone, but he asks everyone to grow in godly character, regardless of the abilities you mentioned. Yeah, okay. Thanks for that great insight, Jason. It’s very important for us all to hear that.

Secondly, you’re the Jericho Road Disability Advocate, what does that involve?

Jason: That involves going around to churches and raising awareness of the needs of people with disabilities. And that can involve preaching, running workshops, having discussion groups or just providing a bit of pastoral support for circumstances that people might not see every day.

Akos: Yeah.

Jason: And I’m also involved in researching and writing on topics in anything to do with disability and the Bible.

Akos: Absolutely. As Jason mentioned he does a fair bit of research there around disability and what the Bible has to say to it. And if you go to our website, you’ll see some blogs that Jason has written.

I have also had the privilege of hearing Jason preach at churches. And if you don’t mind me saying, Jase, we went to a Samoan church, so brothers and sisters at Lakemba Samoan Church, and Jason preached there and at the end they gave him a clap. I think for them it was a real eye -opener to hear from someone in Jason’s position. And, I think they were deeply encouraged to have Jason preach to them. So, if you want Jason to preach at your church, I can highly, highly recommend it. Please get in touch with us, and Jason should be able to come and speak.

What’s the greatest joy of your role as Disability Advocate, Jason?

Jason: My greatest joy is probably when I’m talking to people and they’ve come to understand something that they haven’t recognised before.

And then they go and do something about it. That’s really exciting to see.

Akos: Absolutely. And can I say most of us, if you’re anyone like me, don’t have much to do with anyone in your church with a disability. And so, to hear from Jason and to hear, ok, this is how you can support people with disabilities better in your church, become more inclusive, yeah, great, great thing to do.

What about the greatest challenge of your role, Jason?

Jason: Probably seeing people become enthused about ministering to people with disabilities. It seems to be not high on our priorities.

Akos: Yep.

Jason: What we don’t understand is that disability doesn’t affect one group, over there somewhere. Disability affects all of us and we can be impacted by disability or someone else’s disability at any time.

Akos: Yeah, absolutely, it affects a lot of people, not just those with a disability. And interestingly enough, the final question, how does having a disability help you advocate for other people with disabilities in our [Presbyterian] denomination, do you think, Jase?

Jason: I think just becoming aware of the barriers that people often face. Even for myself, I need to stop and think what it might be like for someone else with a different disability. Instead of just being aware of those issues and being able to bring them to the attention of others and saying, “hey, we want you to rethink how we’re doing this as a church”.

Akos: Yeah, absolutely. So that insider insight, I guess, it would help you a great deal.