9 Ways to Plan Women’s Retreat So the Chronically Ill Can Attend
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 is the largest Christian organization that serves the chronically ill, and they recently surveyed 20 people about the specifics of attending a retreat while living with illness. Out of the twenty respondents, seventeen attend retreats less since their diagnosis. When asked why, they shared the following:
Three reported, “Accessibility issues (I know I can’t easily get to and from different buildings at the retreat)”; 6 people said, “The pain factor. It’s just too draining”; 4 responded, “The unpredictable health issues”; and 10 explained that it was, “A combination of the above.”
So, how could you encourage these women to get involved again in your church retreat?
1. When weighing different retreat locations, consider the limitations of people with chronic illness when asking the retreat centers questions. Promote that you have this information before people register.
How steep are the hills? Are ride-in carts available? How far are the rooms from the main meeting center? Is electricity in the rooms? Are there only bunk beds? Can someone have a private room? Are there chairs besides the metal folding chairs? Elevators? One woman shares, “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.” Those who attend retreats look for locations that are held at retreat center without a lot of walking, and preferably flat ground. Hotels or a large home are nice too. While you may think fifty yards is a “short distance,” fifty steps may be one’s limit. Provide actual distances on your flyer, not just “rooms are 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, who lives with a malignant brain tumor and uterine cancer says, “I don’t attend because people don’t want to understand or accept that sometimes I have to retreat from the ‘retreat.’ I may have to go to my room to get some rest. Others decide that I’m escaping from my problems, and 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 when God tells me to rest, I must rest, despite what the [retreat] ‘timetable’ states.” A schedule of the retreat’s events a week before can be extremely helpful, even if it’s just posted on your church’s web site.
3. When planning events such as ice breakers or fun games, remember to have something for those with physical limitations to participate in if they wish
You may ask those with chronic illness what their preference would be. Many are happy just to cheer on their team, rather than participate in the actual race where everyone dresses up in costumes. Debbie, who lives with chronic fatigue syndrome shares, “Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any retreat planners who understand that I am unable to participate, not because I’m uncooperative, shy, or antisocial, but rather because I cannot physically do so; the result is that I do not attend church retreats any longer.”
4. Avoid gasping when you see how much stuff she has packed
All women may have necessities that they pack to make their weekend more comfortable. But for those with chronic illness this may also include: different forms of bedding, cushions for chairs, special pillows, dozens of snacks, pain patches, shades to sleep, and a flashlight and a book to read if they can’t sleep. They may bring special water, the biggest pill box of medication you’ve ever seen (don’t comment), and maybe even a service dog (which she should have spoken to you about in advance).
5. Remember that she knows her body better than you do, and she is trying to plan for the best experience
For example, riding a bus to the retreat may throw her back out for the entire weekend, so if she asks if she can ride in a car with a staff member, this may be an easy modification. If she puts on a headset to listen to music, don’t take it personally; she may need some quiet time to rejuvenate so she can socialize that evening. She may need to eat small, frequent meals and snacks if she is diabetic. Don’t say, “We’re going to be eating and thirty minutes so please wait to eat with everyone else.”
6. Acknowledge that she’s not a prima donna; take her requests seriously
She may be insisting that she have the bottom bunk bed and then pull out her own mattress, but it’s not because she is the Princess and the Pea. She may have some needs that are medical requirements. For example, electricity in her room is necessary if she uses something like a CCAP machine for sleep apnea. (Out of 20 women surveyed, 2 used this). Her medications may also need to be refrigerated and an ice pack won’t do the job, so she may need access to the retreat center kitchen or a staff member. Sheryl, who lives with chronic myofascial pain says, “Make sure there are always chairs available for those who can’t stand more than a couple of minutes.” You may not see a cane or walker, but her feet, knees or balance may not be able to take more than a couple of minutes standing.
7. Respect her privacy
Marjorie says, “When an explanation is given in confidence, don’t react so that everyone present knows that I have a problem,” and Anjuli, who has congenital myopathy (a form of Muscular Dystrophy) agrees. “Don’t single me out!”
8. Have 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.
Other Related Posts
« Discover The Basics To Surfing, Class 1 - The Right Surfboard | Home
Leave a Comment