No Disabled Souls

Jim Pierson has delivered a heart-touching book. This collection of vignettes from Jim's experiences presents real people with disabilities who have come to faith because of the ministry of those who care. Pierson is eminently well qualified to write this book. An outstanding preacher, most of his professional life has been devoted to ministry with those who have disabilities. For 17 years, he directed the East Tennessee Children's Rehabilitation Center in Knoxville. He has developed a minor in disability ministry at Johnson Bible College, also in Knoxville, and teaches courses in that program. He is a special consultant to Standard Publishing for the development of materials and services to churches interested in ministering to those with disabilities. He is currently the director of The Christian Church Foundation for the Handicapped in Louisville. His entire professional focus-and much of his personal interest-is involved with ministry to those with disabilites. The hints for extending friendship and ministry at the end of each chapter are invaluable resources for any individual who wishes to reach out to those who are disabled. The book is a must handbook for every Christian.

Jim Pierson has delivered a heart-touching book. This collection of vignettes from Jim's experiences present real people with disabilities who have come to faith because of the ministry of those who care. Each chapter concludes with helpful ministry hints. Pierson is eminently well qualified to write this book. An outstanding preacher, most of his professional life has been devoted to mininstry with those who have disabilities. For 17 years, he directed the East Tennessee Children's Rehabilitation Center in Knoxville. He has developed a minor in disability ministry at Johnson Bible College, also in Knoxville, and teaches courses in that program. He is a special consultant to Standard Publishing for the development of materials and services to churches interested in ministering to those with disabilities. He is currently the director of The Christian Church Foundation for the Handicapped in Louisville. His entire professional focus-and much of his personal interest-is involved with ministry to those with disabilites. The hints for extending friendship and ministry at the end of each chapter are invaluable resources for any individual who wishes to reach out to those who are disabled. The book is a must handbook for every Christian.

You're walking in a mall with several friends when they spot a young girl with severe mental retardation. One of your companions makes a snide remark while you look at the floor in embarrassment. A 20-year old man with Down syndrome enters a restaurant. The server looks past him and asks his mother what he wants to eat. Noticing a blind customer, a department store cleak speaks to her in a loud voice. The book, "No Disabled Souls" addresses these stereotypes related to people with disabilities and encourages readers to build relationships first. This approach allows one to see people with disabilities as creations of God who have infinite value and potential, says the author. The book also contains information on such topics as: categorizing and defining specific disabilites, the importance of the person's mental age, and the severity of the disability, practical advice on how to handle a wheelchair, how to communicate with a person who is deaf or blind, and how to assist during a seizure. Another section details the emotional toll these issues have on the family. Pierson cites statistics showing an 80% divorce rate for marriages that produce a child with a disability or a spouse who becomes disabled.

The day I picked up this book I stayed up until 2:00 a.m. reading. What an outstanding book! My prayer is that it is widely read because it is such a powerful tool--vital for everyone to read and understand. Jim Pierson is one of the leaders in disabilities ministry.