[Mosaic logo composed of people's faces, with Jesus appearing at the centre.]

Day for Life 2006 - SCOTLAND

[At home]

Frances:

My name is Frances. This is my home in Renfrew, quite near Glasgow. I've always been disabled.

I tried to walk when I was young, but it was very painful, and by the time I left school I decided that walking was an 'overrated pastime' (to quote royalty!) and that I'd get on faster using a wheelchair.

Getting into employment wasn't easy, but eventually I did find employment in social services in Glasgow - in a disability resource centre.

[At church]

I've also been involved in disability awareness work in the church. That's been very important to me because my faith is important to me. I want disabled people to feel that they are part of the church, that the church is as much home to them as anyone else.

There have been some times when I think: 'Where is God in this situation?' 'Is he here at all?' But the Spirit has always been there to calm me down and move me. Everyday I ask the Holy Spirit to inspire, protect and guide me.

[In the car]

Today I'm off to Dundee to meet with some other disabled Christians. It's an inter-church group on disability. It's a response to the Disability Discrimination Act and the fact that, from 2005 onwards, places of worship are no longer exempt from the terms of the act.

It's not just about physical access, it's about our visibility. It's about a 'theology of disability' in the church. It's about training churches to look at how disabled people can best contribute.

[Arriving at the University of Dundee]

Well, here we are at the University of Dundee.

[Inter-church group meeting]

Annalu:

For me, this is one of my hopes: that we can actually make churches think about inclusive church, rather than waiting for the occasion when a kid or an adult might appear who needs special resources.

[In Annalu's office]

I'm Annalu Waller and I'm a lecturer in applied computing.

Throughout the gospels, Jesus reaches out to the outcast and in the banquet parable, he actually makes it clear that it is not the influential or the strong who may be invited and come, but it is the disabled - the outcasts of society.

People often think it's cost that stops us from making places accessible. In reality, it's about how we look at disability and our attitudes towards people who are different.

[At home]

Frances:

I know that when I was young, I often felt very disengaged with the church, as a disabled person. That's why I feel that it's very important for the church to be open to all.

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[End]

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