Accompanying Disability

The experience of being in relationship with adults with disabilities is becoming more and more common, and family and friends need a trustworthy guide. In a world that often misunderstands or underestimates the capabilities and worth of individuals with disabilities, Accompanying Disability offers a compassionate, faithful model for nurturing relationships with loved ones with disabilities based on mutual respect, dignity, and affection, rather than patronizing attitudes or pity. Author Topher Endress brings a wealth of insight and experience as a pastor and theologian whose father became a quadriplegic after a hiking accident. Through his personal narrative, his father’s writings, and Bible-based reflections, Endress shows how the way we think about disability can have a profound impact on our ability not just to provide care or engage respectfully but to truly accompany loved ones with disabilities along our mutual journey of life. Drawing on principles of disability rights and advocacy as well as Scripture and personal experience, this book models a paradigm shift in how society perceives and interacts with individuals with disabilities. It celebrates diversity, resilience, and the richness of human experience, inviting readers to reflect on God’s work in our world and embrace the beauty of relationships founded on equality, understanding, and love. Whether you’re a family member, friend, caregiver, or ally, Accompanying Disability offers invaluable insights and guidance for nurturing meaningful, respectful, and fulfilling relationships with loved ones with disabilities.