I looked nervously from my wheelchair at the two loose planks of wood running up the steep church steps.
Two helpers happily offered to push me up this obstacle-course item. When I explained the danger of falling off, they offered to physically lift me out of the chair and carry me up the stairs. They had big grins on their faces, presumably pleased that they were able to get me to church – but I was sinking inside, and I now just wanted to go home.
As a wheelchair user I have lots of stories of inaccessibility to church services, where the church is completely oblivious to the obstacles, and the signals they send disabled people. But perhaps now that might change?
Rethinking patronage to prevent abuse
Duncan has previously very movingly shared his own experience of being abused (August 2021 en). This is a highly complex …