Autism, Disabilities, and the Church

It really saddened me to see this video about an autistic boy who has been banned from his local church. I can certainly understand the difficulties that this mom has faced over the years with her severely autistic son. I can easily see those difficulties being magnified as he gets as big and as strong as her son apparently is. He has to deal with hormones and a changing body like any teenager. Plus, he likely has a growing sense of frustration that he cannot communicate and let his feelings and needs/desires be known like a "typical" teenager can. (I realize as I type this that "typical teenager" is probably an oxymoron). I can even understand the fears and frustrations of the local church his family is a part of. Most people don't know how to react to a 10 year-old with autism, much less one in his teen years. Yet, I hurt for not only this family, but for every family that is estranged from the normalcy of life most everyone else takes for granted: the ability to enjoy an evening at a restaurant with your whole family, or the blessing of being able to walk through the aisles of a grocery store without fearing a meltdown over some forbidden food, or comfortably being able to have guests over without worrying that your autistic son might spend the evening screaming, banging his head on the floor or walls, or intermittently streaking naked through the room. And now the family is being denied that one cord that ever so tenuously holds them together: their faith and their church. Where else will they go where they can be accepted and loved? If not the church, then where? If not God's people (the real definition of "church") then who?
All this makes me so very thankful for the church family I have in Jensen Beach. They have lovingly accepted Mark's presence and behaviors and issues and I suspect they will as long as we are here among them. They have allowed my wife to have a place of peace and solace and encouragement as she worships God here WITH Mark (and the rest of our family). In those weeks where we are barely hanging on because of all that has happened, that Sunday opportunity to gather with God's people, to pray, sing, and hear the message from the Bible is priceless to us. I literally cannot imagine making it through without it.
This situation also makes me realize that there are likely MANY families out there who feel just as estranged from church as this family now does. Of course, they are probably not forbidden from coming (legally or otherwise) like the poor family in the video, but nonetheless they are unwanted by people who do not understand the struggle of the families involved and their spiritual needs, nor the spiritual needs of those with disabilities. These families are not welcomed because there is nothing for them or their children, and there is no attempt to provide an atmosphere of welcome and acceptance to them.
We have to change that. I want for the families of the Treasure Coast the same experience my family has had. I want all the other "Marks" out there to have a place where they will be loved, cared for, and accepted, n o matter how challenging they become. Pray for me and the church as we try to develop just such an atmosphere. Pray as I develop a plan of comprehensive ministry to families with disabilities.

When I think of how Jesus sees my Mark, I think of Jesus sitting on a grassy knoll with kids running all around him (loud and chaotic) as he says to those who just don't get it: But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14 NASB)