I think it is appropriate to comment on issues of disability in conflict with religion. In Kenya today, there's an ugly episode happening in the coast region. The Mackenzie religious genocide as it is being called. It is striking the media all over the world. I'm afraid that persons with disabilities (PWDs) fall victim to such people. This is fuelled by the biblical healing of Jesus. And our families together with the society in general forces us to attend the healing sessions or campaigns. I've seen in Nakuru and Meru disabled persons throw away their crutches and all walking aids and declare that they are healed. But most painfully at the end of prayers, you see them struggling on their knees to get at the crutches again. I don't know how to approach this issue. Some of us are indoctrinated beyond repair and the family members too. Personally, I was invited for a prayer session with a 100% guarantee that I'll be "healed". However, I did not encourage that way of thinking because I'm not sick and if I'm sick, I'll seek medical attention. Illiteracy coupled with poverty has been the main cause of this. We need to educate people within our communities. Finally, it is not easy at all to deal with religious beliefs. It is tricky. Sometimes it is abused by the men of God.
Unfortunately, most of us experience this. Even me, in my middle age, I was taken to one. But of course, I am still the way I am. I think there needs to be a lot of awareness around some rogue religions that are taking advantage of disabled people.
I have also been taken to various religious leaders and 'profits' to be prayed for by my parents. I think it comes from (a) love and wanting the child to be healed, the perception that the child is sick (b) indoctrination and pressure by the community. Growing up I rebelled against the church. I embarked on my own spiritual journey which included acceptance of self.
I have come across this issue many times. I believe that the key to tackling it is an understanding that disability is different from illness. For many of us it is just the way God has made us. For me, having been unable to walk all my life, I have no interest in suddenly being able to do so - I would not be me!
Positive thinking? Maybe. Our world was not generally designed for people who use crutches, or wheelchairs and stigmatises those who do. We want everyone to have good health and no pain or suffering. When the people experience this, we come alongside our sisters and brothers and pray and/or seek medical help to gain healing. I don't believe God designed us all to be the same as many faith healers imply.
I was told that Prophet Owuor prayed for those who are Deaf, Physically Disabled or Sick so that he can show the world that he can heal them. If they can bring the dead alive then we can believe in their healing power.
One-time a Pastor from the USA came to Kenya in one of the training conferences. He ordered me and another Deaf pastor to pray to be healed. Unfortunately, I didn't get healed. Later the pastor said that we had some stubborn demon.
You have portrayed a vivid picture of what our creator might have had in mind. If my body morphology or the physique is altered, I cannot feel fulfilled in life. God created me like this and it's okay with me.
The best situation is when God is glorified in your ability to do things differently. God wants to be glorified through the way you are different that introduces ways of doing things that the abled persons cannot understand!! (e.g. The guy without limbs being a great architect) Given a choice, I will still choose to be the way I am.