Santana was my third Canine Companion. How we became a team is a remarkable story.
My second service dog, Lanzner, was getting old. I wasn’t taking her out as much and needed a young, vibrant dog to continue life with. I had already put in an application to CCI for a successor service dog.
Continue reading Santana: 2007-2019A South Carolina man and his service dog was recently denied access by a church. My colleagues and I were shocked. As my friend, Steve wrote: “Every time I start to think that churches are finally starting to “get” the idea of welcoming kids and adults with disabilities, some elder board dreams up an absurd policy that convinces me I’m wrong.”
My service dog and I was too denied access to a church years ago, and the lessons I learned from the experience strengthen my faith and helped me understand how to approach this issue with churches. I have yet used these arguments with a church, but I think I’m on solid ground.
The excerpt below is from my book, In the Accessible Church (self published, 2013). I post this as a response to the church and to further educate the faith community.
Tait
Continue reading A Response to an Unwelcoming Church(Writer’s note: I originally wrote this for my church’s blog. Enjoy!)
You may have wondered who is that man in the wheelchair at the 
10:45 service. (Actually there’s two of us now. I’m the one sitting in the middle asle toward the back.)
Well, my name is Tait. I came to IAC in January 2005 when I was looking for people my age Continue reading A Modern Day Mephibosheth
Disability is not a brave struggle or ‘courage in the face of adversity.’ Disability is an art. It’s an ingenious way to live.”
-Neil Marcus
I was surprised at how nice it was at the swim meet. It was not too loud or humid in the Air Force Academy’s Natatorium. I parked my chair near the starting blocks to watch some heats. After a while, the cheers got louder and louder as a race was finishing. I looked up at the giant tv screen and saw a participant making his way down the pool on his back. He seemed to be swimming a simple backstroke, something I might swim. Continue reading My Experience at the 2018 Warrior Games
Centennial, Colorado — Sometimes you just have to dressed up and go to a prom.
Continue reading Night to Shine Celebrates People Living with Disabilities
I was glad to see my friend on my way into church. I can count on Dan to hear me out when I have burdens on my heart, and I had more than my share on that particular day. Dan and I spent a few minutes talking until it was time to go into the sanctuary. The opening prayer was just ending as I wheeled through the door. Right then, I felt a strong presence of the Holy Spirit like a warm, familiar comforter wrapping me up from head to toe. In an instant, my concerns that had consumed me just a couple of seconds before didn’t seem as important. Continue reading Worship with a passion
If you follow me on Facebook, you know I’m very opinionated with my politics. I’ve backed off a lot with my postings since Trump won the election, but my commitment to the conservative point of view hasn’t changed. (Actually I’m probably more of a classic liberal these days, but I won’t go there.) I’ve struggled writing this piece (I’ve been 
working on it on and off for a couple of months) and debating whether to post it to the blog. First, I don’t want my blog to be known for my political views. Second, this certain subject could be misunderstood in that I don’t want any government programs to help me. Put all the burden on the church. I’m not that stupid! As I say in the piece, maybe the Lord does help me through the government. I’m just asking what is the role for each organization.
I know I’ll get push back, maybe even called names. Pray for me that I can handle it! I’m just asking questions so the country and people living with disabilities can thrive in the years to come.
You know the saying that dog is God spelled backwards? Well, it’s true. Okay, my theological mind can have trouble with this. I’d probably could write a theological article about how this is incompatible with Scripture and how ridiculous this is. Some might even call it heresy. Continue reading How God uses Dogs in my Life
Maybe I do this too often. I have this habit of looking back through the years and remember where I have been. I look at the calendar and remember where I was and what I was doing on a certain date and year. Continue reading Remembrances and Memorials
Mary Jane Ponten was born in Chicago in the early 30s. The beginning seemed bleak. “This baby is too weak to survive,” the doctors told the parents. “You better give her a name right away for her gravestone.” But even doctors can be wrong. At ten days old, they let Mary Jane’s parents take her home “to enjoy her as long as she lives.” Continue reading Mary Jane and me