News release: Free online event with Christian social media stars
Spring Harvest speakers with over 1 million ‘followers’, Jade and John Reynolds, are on a mission to normalise their faith and disability. They will share at a free, online event on 'the power of your story' with Christian disability charity Through the Roof on Saturday 28th September.
Jade has been paralyzed since the age of 12 and, teaming up with her husband John (who like Jade is a Theology graduate), they are seeking to dispel the stigma surrounding disability.
Normalising disability
In church and society today, there is still some fear and stigma surrounding people who experience disability. How can we normalise issues that many disabled people face every day? How can we encourage everyone, especially Christians in churches, to see disability through God’s eyes?
- In the UK, 2 out of every 3 people surveyed felt ‘uncomfortable’ speaking with disabled people (Scope).
- 72% of disabled children’s families experience isolation (Contact-a-family).
- 66% of churches say they need ideas for how to include disabled people in church activities (ComRes survey).
Join Through the Roof for this free online event, to learn together how to dispel the stigma of disability. Podcast hosts and authors Jade and John Reynolds who have personal experience of disability will share their testimony and life experience using humour and honesty. They will also encourage you to get to know the power of your own story.
Don't miss this free, key event
Disability is a hot topic currently with the Paralympics just finished and Disability Awareness Week 15–22 September. So, this is an online event not to be missed!
At Spring Harvest 2024, when asked about sharing their lives on social media, Jade Reynolds said: “We get messages just going ‘I don’t share your faith, but you’re really normal and you’re funny!’ That kind of normalising of our faith and disability is the thing that makes it worthwhile to me. … People are more open if they know that you’re just speaking honestly from your life experience.” John added “People can reject your theories but they can’t reject your story because it’s your story.”
Katie Budd, Roofbreaker Teamleader at Through the Roof and a wheelchair user, says:
“It’s fantastic that so many people are following Jade and John on social media and thinking about disability and faith. Their new book ‘Able to Laugh’ is an honest, relatable and fun take on everyday life with a disability which is realistic about the challenges but also infused with hope and laughter.”
Join Jade and John, with Through the Roof, on Zoom on Sat 28th Sept 10.30am – 12.00 noon.
Registration is free, but register before the day at https://bit.ly/JadeAndJohn_28Sept24
Full information is at this link: https://bit.ly/28Sept24_JadeAndJohnEvent
Contact: For information about the event itself: janet@throughtheroof.org
For information about the news item and communications/publicity: annette@throughtheroof.org
Tel. (main office): 01372 749955 www.throughtheroof.org