Nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA have a chronic illness and about 96% of it invisible. Are these women attending your church retreats? Many of them are suffering silently, depressed, isolated, and feeling very alone. Others are some of the wisest, calming, most spiritually beautiful women who will touch attendees at your retreat in ways no planned speaker can. But are any of them coming?
Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that serves the chronically ill, took a survey about attending retreats. Out of the twenty respondents, seventeen participate less since they have a chronic illness. When asked why, the responses were as follows:
Three said, "Accessibility issues (I know I can't easily get to and from different buildings at the retreat)"; 6 people reported, "The pain factor. It's just too draining"; 4 responded, "The unpredictable health issues"; and 10 said, "A combination of the above."
So, how can you reach out to these women and get them involved in your church retreat?
1. When planning the retreat ask a lot of questions about the retreat center and promote that you have this information before people register
For example, are the hills steep? Are there "golf carts" available? Exactly how far are the rooms from the main building? Is electricity in the rooms? Are only bunk beds available? Are there chairs other than just metal folding chairs? Elevators? One women explains, "I stopped going a year or so ago because the retreat planner does not tell you what is expected, or about walking, stairs, etc. They need to be more honest." People with illness look for retreat centers held in locations where there is little walking involved and preferably the ground is flat. Large homes or hotels are also good. It's easy for a retreat director to assume that fifty yards is a "short walking distance." But fifty steps may be the limit for some people. So provide actual distances on your promotional flyers, not just "rooms are within a short walking distance."
2. Understand that women desire to go on retreats and socialize with others, but they must feel that the retreat planner understands that they will be on their own schedule
Margaret lives with a malignant brain tumor and uterine cancer. She says, "I don't attend retreats because people don't want to understand or accept that sometimes I have to retreat from the 'retreat.' I may have to go back to my room to rest. Others decide that I'm escaping from my problems. They demand that I participate in whatever is happening. I'm not wishing to be anti-social and I will participate when God enables me to do so; but at the same time, when God tells me to rest, I must rest despite what the [retreat] 'timetable' states." One way a retreat director can help rectify this is by distributing the retreat's event schedule a week or so before the event, even if it's just posted on the church's web site.
3. While you are deciding events such as ice-breakers or fun games, make sure there is something that those with physical limitations can participate in if they choose
If people don't want to participate in the relay race where everyone dresses up in costumes, allow them to do their own thing. Debbie, who has chronic fatigue syndrome says, "Unfortunately, I have yet to find a retreat director who understands that I am not able to participate, not because I'm uncooperative, shy, or antisocial, but simply because I cannot physically do so; the result is that I do not attend church retreats."
4. Avoid gasping when you see how much stuff she has packed
All women have necessities they pack to make their weekend more comfortable. For the chronically ill these typically include: their own bedding, chair cushions, pillows, snacks, pain patches, eye shades to sleep, or a flashlight and book to read in case she is awake all night. They may bring bottled water, the biggest collection of medication you've ever seen (don't comment), and perhaps even a service dog (which she should ask you about before the event.)
5. Though you have good intentions with your suggestions, remember that she knows her body better than you do, and she's trying to plan for her best experience
Riding on the bus with everyone else, for example, may put her in a great deal of pain the entire weekend. So if she requests a ride in a car with a staff member, make that accommodation. If she puts on a headset to listen to music, don't take it personally that she isn't talking. She may need to rejuvenate so that she is able to socialize that evening. She also may need to eat. If she is diabetic, she will likely need to eat small snacks and meals throughout the weekend. Don't tell her, "Dinner it is in just thirty minutes, so please wait so you can eat with us."
6. Acknowledge that she's not a prima donna; take her requests seriously
She isn't asking for the bottom bunk and bringing her bedding because she is the Princess and the Pea. She may have some required needs. For example, electricity is a medical requirement, not a wish, for women who use a CCAP machine for sleep apnea (2 women out of our responses of 20 use one). Refrigeration of medications may also be necessary, so don't tell her to just find an ice pack for her room. Her medication could be ruined so she may need access to a staff member who can get into the kitchen. Sheryl, who has chronic myofascial pain reminds us, "Make sure there are always chairs available for those who can't stand more than a couple of minutes." Don't assume just because you don't see a cane, means she is fine.
7. Realize that she may not want others to know about her illness
Anjuli, who has congenital myopathy (a form of Muscular Dystrophy) says, "Don't single me out!" and Marjorie agrees. "When an explanation is given in confidence, don't respond so much that everyone knows that I have a problem."
8. Make scholarships available
Chronic illness is very expensive and most of these women are on an extremely limited budget. Rarely will they ask for financial help to attend a church retreat, however, because they assume someone must need it more than them. Quietly let them know scholarships are available.
9. Delegate someone to oversee the necessities of your chronically ill attendees
Find your "healthiest" volunteer with a chronic illness, or a cancer survivor, in your women's ministry who would be the staff member to communicate with attendees with chronic illness; one who would try to meet their needs and listen to their concerns. Those who responded to the survey by Rest Ministries still attend retreats and most often contact the retreat director beforehand to talk about health issues they may have. But dozens of other people sit in the benches at church and never consider attending a retreat because they assume it's not a possibility due to their illness. Make a special effort to reach out to women who have a chronic illness by adding an extra line at the bottom of your promotional flyer that says, "Do you live with a chronic illness? We have some special accommodations! We hope you'll make it this year!"
One of the most valuable gifts in our church that we often overlook is the wisdom and joy of those who live with chronic illness and oftentimes daily pain, and love God anyways. September 8-14 is National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, sponsored by Rest Ministries. It's a perfect opportunity to take a second look at your ministry's priorities and discover who is not being served who could use your encouragement. And don't forget to also include the chronically ill because the church is missing out on their joy in the Lord, despite their suffering. Get them involved in a retreat soon! One of them may just be your next speaker.
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