Stations of the Cross for Caring people

Jesus is condemned to death

Let us take a few moments to think about and pray for all those condemned to death in prisons worldwide. Many are innocent, killed by brutal regimes. Other deemed justifiably condemned in democratic ‘civilised’ countries. May capital punishment be banned in all countries.

No one deserves to die. And we need to save every person…because this is what LOVE does.

We also think of those we ‘condemn’ because we are prejudiced against them, gay, lesbian, transgender people, Muslims, Jews, Disabled people, homeless alcoholics, prostitutes,travellers, gypsies, refugees…Do we condemn these too…do we often abuse them, slander them, disrespect them, blame them unjustly, scapegoat, ridicule, lash with our words, our beliefs?  This is NOT love.  We are called to…LOVE.

Jesus carries his cross

We think about all those who have simply too much to bear. Those reaching suicide, those thinking about suicide. Those in debt, bills to pay but no money to pay them. Those about to be made homeless through no fault of their own. Those who have lost a dearly beloved, those who are lonely or afraid. May they have SOMEONE who cares about the. May they live…may we have the ear to hear them, help them.

Jesus falls the first time

We think about those whose life’s burden has made them ‘fall’…into drug addiction, stealing, violence…their hearts are beaten into stone by suffering. They simply care no more. May they find SOMEONE who can help them see a different way….may WE catch them as they fall, BEFORE they fall…

Jesus meets his afflicted mother

We think about mothers torn apart by war, by poverty, by the loss of their daughters and sons. Whose lives are ruined by rape, torture, killing or sexual abuse/assault. Women and girls targeted due to gender alone. May they find COMFORT from a trusting person…who can heal the pain.

Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his cross

We think of all the aid organisations throughout the world, willing and ready to help the fallen in war, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and other disasters. We think about those who picked up bodies and body parts after the German air crash. People who witness unspeakable horror yet do their work without seeking honour or praise…and in doing so heal a little part of others suffering. May they find SUPPORT during and after what they’re going through.

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.

May we too wipe the face of suffering.  Especially the face of children and adults who have been sexually abused, used in pornography, defiled, debased and left. May we always be there for them, ready to wipe the tears, and a listening ear. May these victims find the COURAGE to speak…

We wipe the faces of all those who lost loved ones in the German aircrash. Such a terrible, deliberate, loss…unspeakable, unfathomable, unbelievable…

Sometimes tears last forever and need to be wiped away at several points. Never forget anniversaries, never forget the horror…are we really ready to HEAR AGAIN the story and the grief?

Jesus falls the second time

The world is sometimes a very bad place for some fragile souls. Not once do they fall, but twice. The alcoholic who swore he/she would never again drink. The drug addict clean for 8 years starts again… may they find STRENGTH to try once more…just once more…and more again. Never condemn, never lose hope…may we always Love…

 Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

We think today especially of prostitutes, women of the night. Reviled as sinful, debauched and wicked. We think of women trafficked from eastern countries so men can have their way and destroy lives for money. None of these women are sinful, wicked or whatever we may think…these are women who are vulnerable, trapped by men who harm them. 

May MEN be the ones to stop this evil trade in women. MEN who say this is simply not right. MEN who speak up for women in the night…MEN who respect women…treat them as EQUAL…worthy of integrity of body and soul..

Jesus falls a third time.

When the load is heavy, you fall…it just cannot be lifted any more. We think of all very weary people, men women and children…with loads TOO HEAVY for them. Can we hear them crying out for help. We think especially of the homeless men and women who have been on the streets for years. Can they ever ‘get up’? and if they can’t can we love them where they are…and help?

 Jesus is stripped of his clothes.

When there is nothing left and we are stripped of everything…when we are laid bare in shame…laughed at…blamed…when friends and family are gone in the other direction…what is left?  Who is left?  Others perhaps, who see the humiliation and wrap clothes of love around us. Will they ensure humiliation can be overcome…lived through…triumphed over…yes it can…with help

Jesus is nailed to the cross.

We think of all those people who today are in intensive care. Many unconscious. Many barely alive. Loved ones sitting, standing, by the bed…in the corridors…in the garden weeping or smoking…waiting…waiting…some will live…but maybe disabled or suffering…others will flourish

others will die…

Jesus dies on the cross

And for those who die there will be much wailing and roaring and lamenting. Much pain and suffering of those left behind. Left with the loss.

We think of all those who have lost loved ones, husbands, wives, parents, brothers, sisters, children, neighbours, friends…and beloved pets (yes these too). May we walk beside them doing no more than BEING there for them.

 Jesus is taken down from the cross.

After the death, after the storms, after the wars, after the pain…after the murder…after the murder trial …there is silence…a great deep SILENCE.

May we today think of Elaine O’Hara…brutally murdered…savagely tortured in mind, body and spirit. May we never forget a wounded soul was preyed upon. Like so many other wounded souls. May she rest in peace.

We think also of her family and all those left in stunned shock after this terrible evil.  May they too find peace.

Jesus is laid in the tomb.

There comes a time when loved ones must be buried. Not forgotten, but no more with us.  There comes a time when hurts and betrayals must be buried, not forgotten, but no longer with us…there comes a time when ambitions and hopes have to be buried, not forgotten…but no longer with us…because a NEW life beckons, a DIFFERENT life beckons. New paths to be trod…new ground to plough. NEW.

Jesus rises from the dead

NEW LIFE…new homes, new children, new job, new country, new hopes, new dreams, new love, new partners, new ways, new beliefs, new friends, every day is NEW

NEW is a beginning…a dream…a way forward. Tomorrow will bring a NEW day…to love…again

YES…IT WILL!

 

What is a wheelchair?

The whole concept of 'WHEELCHAIR' is much mis-understood. It is argued a wheelchair is an 'alternative to walking', or 'a wheelchair is for someone who can't walk', or 'a wheelchair is a mobility AID'.

All constructs are simplistic. A wheelchair is not about 'not-walking', a wheelchair is about 'living' , or rather 'not-living'. If you don't have one you simply cannot be part of the 'living'. A crap wheelchair is not about 'living', but is in fact torture. To be given a crap wheelchair by the HSE is abuse, is negligence, is dangerous and disrespectful. Its a breach of human rights.

Nor is a wheelchair 'just a bit of equipment'; a chair on wheels. it helps. NO again simplistic. Its not equipment, an object, it becomes, it's a living, vital, part of wheelchair users living being.  It being so, the body is enhanced, not diminished (unless the HSE decides all you need is crap), your body could be 'completed' with the RIGHT wheelchair. you can feel good again, part of the world again, part of the living. It's about EQUALITY not about disability!

It's a joy and a right. Precisely because it allows you participation once again...belonging, being, with ...your community.

So who uses a wheelchair? again simplistic answers. Those who CANNOT walk use wheelchairs. Right ...AND wrong too!

Yes, we all know those who acquire spinal injury or those born with spinal defects need to use a wheelchair. But this is not the full picture.

Many other people need wheelchairs.  Those with serious illness, they can walk but walking is difficult, or tiring, or just too damn painful. Those with fluctuating conditions, having good days and bad days. On the bad days a wheelchair is a must.

But too often society, communities are still ignorant. for many a wheelchair is only for the completely paralysed. Even doctors, occupational therapists, neighbours and family show complete mis-understanding of the wheelchair user.  We walk but only with difficulty, with pain, with hardship. Why because we have a rare muscle wasting/energy/parkinsonism/autonomic/metabolic disease. Plus arthritis and auto-immune diseases. REAL diseases. Here are some comments made to myself and my twin.

• "I saw them walking the other day they are NOT disabled" (written on a community facebook page where we live)
• "Why do you need a wheelchair when you can get up these stairs?" (A new GP to my sister)
• "don't bring your wheelchairs" (family member regarding a family event)
• "I heard parents at the school gates discussing whether you were really disabled today"  (reported to me by my neighbour)

So what is a 'really' disabled person? If you walk at all you are not disabled? Huh? Again, Simplistic. Disability spans a range of conditions. Some are 'dis-abled' by asthma, some are not. Some are 'dis-abled' by arthritis, some are not. Some are 'dis-abled' by spina bifida, some are not.

Some people in wheelchairs are NOT dis-abled, in the sense we use that word, unable (which is again a simplistic discourse). Whether you are disabled or not is a complex issue. for many disabled people they would argue the biggest dis-abling factor is NOT their condition/defect/disease but society's discrimination, beliefs, and negative views about them. Society's total disregard to allow them to work, rest, play within society. They argue they are not 'dis-abled' by their condition but by society.

It's become an issue to be judged by others. usually non-disabled people.  Non-disabled people largely decide whether or not you are disabled. whether or not you NEED a wheelchair. You are NOT allowed to say "I need a wheelchair".

You are not allowed say 'I need a living wheelchair', that means a GOOD one. The HSE do not supply a 'living' wheelchair. They supply crocks. This is discrimination. it is disrespect, it dis-ables you.

So folk, my message today.  Please educate yourself on what it really means to be a wheelchair user. It is not only about paralysis. please educate yourself about what the word 'dis-abled' means, it's not always about your condition, and often more about society. Please do not judge someone as not a genuine disabled, wheelchair user because you se them walk to the post office from the car, or into a chemist. This might be all they can do today.

As for the HSE, I have long ago lost all faith and trust in this evil empire. it is not there the serve. It's there to crucify. it does not uphold rights. the whole structures of this empire is to save money by not giving services . It crucifies both patients and the GOOD professionals within who really want to serve sick and disabled people.

But you the ordinary person...please don't add to the misery. 

a wheelchair is a right - it is my life - my living - my participation - my equality - my sanity - my being able.....alongside YOU!