The cerebral palsy I was born with, is a hard taskmaster. But my Mum was a fighter for me and the encouragement I got from my parents was second to none. The condition affects my movements and coordination, so it takes up to a minute sometimes just to put a key in a lock. Over the years (I was born in 1952) some things have improved e.g. my speech and confidence, but through the aging process I’ve lost my ability to walk unaided, so I’m now in a wheelchair.
I’m single and now live in sheltered accommodation in Colchester, looked after by a lovely bunch of carers, and surrounded by great neighbours. We all look out for each other.
Despite my disability, I’ve done some colourful things in my life – tall ship sailing, amateur dramatics, a degree (history and sociology), aerobatics in a Cessna… but mostly I’ve lived alone and from the age of 31 my life has been solitary. Friends within and outside of church have richly compensated for this and I count myself extremely blessed to have them. You’re never alone when you’re in a church family and have a loving relationship with Jesus.
These days, in my increasing weakness, I’m having to lean on God all the time, trusting in His provision and His strength to support and guide me. Jesus is my husband; he looks after me and sends me what I need. I wish I had known Him in my youth. It wasn’t until I arrived in Wivenhoe back in 1992 and started attending the Congregational Church there, that I gave my life to Jesus. It was the best thing I’ve ever done!
My faith and trust in Jesus have increased in line with my increasing infirmity. He has never let me down. I’ve had enough small miracles to see that His provision is moment by moment sometimes, so I can thank my disabilities for that.
The love that we share in our church fellowship is always uplifting. We have a great minister in Rev Justin Lunniss, who is an inspiration to us, with all that he has to cope with himself.
I never realised I had a ministry, until Justin pointed it out to me during a prayer zoom meeting in 2020. Prayer meets my writing skills and interplays with my love of poetry – and God.
Prayer is powerful. I thank all the Christians in my life for praying for me. They were instrumental in overturning the expectation from doctors that I wouldn’t live for very long. And in the words of our pioneer minister, Debs, ‘God ain’t finished with me yet’!