"You will go blind."
Those four words changed the life of Patricia Hanson after she migrated to Florida from Omaha, Nebraska with her husband, Wayne. Their dream of a Sunshine State retirement became a nightmare when hurricanes battered their home. Then Patricia, a diabetic, experienced blurred vision. Her doctor offered no hope of recovery.
Patricia had lost a sister to diabetes several years earlier. The disease diminished her vision before taking her life. Still, Patricia wasn't prepared for her own triple diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Her misery has lots of company; the American Foundation for the Blind reports that 10 million blind and visually impaired people live in the United States, more than half of whom are senior citizens—including Patricia.
"I felt total devastation," she remembers. Her doctor warned her to shun all excess stress to save what was left of Patricia's sight. Abandoning hurricane-prone Florida, the Hansons moved to Nixa, Missouri. Patricia decorated their new house partly purple and red, declaring, "I'll have all the beautiful colors I can while I can still see them."
Among her frustration was the inability to read her Bible. When someone at Sabbath School asked her to read a text, she sadly whispered, "I can’t."
Growing up Adventist, Patricia knew about Christian Record Services (CRS), the denomination's official ministry to the visually handicapped. Yet she put off requesting help, not wanting anyone—even her mail carrier—to know she was going blind. Then Melisa Welch, CRS employee and Patricia's niece, told her about Christian Record's Gift Bible Program.
"I brought my large-print Bible to Sabbath School and the teacher asked me to read a text," Patricia recalls. "This time I said 'Yes!'"
Maria Butler, CRS Bible School instructor, explains, "Visually handicapped people need the Bible in formats not readily available or affordable—Braille, giant print and audio." Braille Bibles can cost $320 or more. A giant print Bible retails for $30, and an audio Bible ranges from $50 to more than $100. Many CRS clients previously felt lost without access to God's Word. They are surprised and grateful to receive it without charge.
Blind and visually impaired people around the world have been reclaiming the ability to read through CRS since 1899. Along with Bibles, CRS offers a range of periodicals, adult Sabbath School lessons and Bible courses in Braille, large print and on cassette. There is also a lending library of more than 2,000 books on tape.
More than Bibles are available. "We have books covering various doctrinal and theological topics, including quite a few by Ellen White," reports CRS editor Bert Williams. Also represented are inspirational books by such popular authors as Philip Yancy and Janette Oke. The CRS recording studio constantly turns out new books. "Only a limited amount of Christian materials exists for the blind and visually impaired," says Williams. "Quite often the feedback we get is, "Thank you for material that's good and clean."
Another unique ministry of CRS is National Camps for Blind Children and Adults. More than two dozen camps span North America, serving the blind physically, spiritually and emotionally.
"Camp is my favorite week of the year," says Paul Killion, a legally blind resident of Lincoln, Nebraska. Each summer he spends a week at Broken Arrow Ranch in Olsburg, Kansas. He enjoys swimming, crafts, water skiing, archery, jet ski rides, horseback riding, nature hikes and a talent show—activities unavailable during the rest of the year. His favorite part of the camp is the worship.
After witnessing the baptism of several friends at camp, Killion made his own decision in 2004. Pastor Rick New baptized him into Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the Adventist Church.
A new approach at CRS for connecting with visually handicapped people is the personal ministries department headed by Pastor David Klinedinst. He solicits volunteers from local Adventist churches to participate in the Missionaries of the Blind club, a visitation ministry.
"Every church member in Mid-America can enjoy a sense of ownership since Christian Record Services is an official ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church," says Larry Pitcher, CRS president. In Mid-America alone, more than 3,000 visually handicapped persons regularly receive services from Christian Record.
The expense is great, paid only through faith. Funds coming through church channels cover barely 5 percent of funds needed. For the remaining 95 percent CRS depends on the generosity of church members and others who care enough to help blind people see Jesus.
Seven Ways to Welcome a Blind Person to Your Church.
1. Extend yourself in greeting. Identify yourself by name.
2. Let a blind person know your handshaking intentions: "I’d like to shake your hand and welcome you to our church."
3. Offer to share information from the church bulletin or bulletin boards.
4. Show the blind guest around: location of restroom, pastor’s office, fellowship hall, etc. Describe features of the rooms.
5. Let the blind person know if you're leaving the area. It's embarrassing to speak to someone no longer there.
6. Recognize that a guide dog is legally allowed to go to church. If your service is long, identify an out-of-the way grassy area for the dog to use.
7. Volunteer to provide transportation to future special events and church services.
Cassie Milnes Martsching, a 2004 Union College graduate, writes from Lincoln, Nebraska where she was an editorial assistant for Christian Record Services at the time this article was written.
Reprinted with permission. Mid-America Outlook, January, 2006, pg. 26-27.
