1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:03,640 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 2: Hi from the Salvation Army. You're listening to Words of Life. 3 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:29,720 Speaker 3: Of Life, Hey, and welcome back to Words of Life. Today, 4 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 3: we're taking a short break from our roundtable discussions to 5 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:35,279 Speaker 3: hear a beautiful testimony from an incredible young woman who 6 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:38,560 Speaker 3: has been in a wheelchair since childhood. Today you'll meet Hannah. 7 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:41,879 Speaker 3: Her life is a testimony to God's faithfulness, and as 8 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:45,120 Speaker 3: Hannah shares her story, she reminds us that disability inclusion 9 00:00:45,200 --> 00:00:48,480 Speaker 3: isn't just about accessibility. It's about seeing people as God 10 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:52,560 Speaker 3: sees them and creating places where everyone belongs. Our friend, 11 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:55,320 Speaker 3: Major Anna Westmoreland caught up with her at her recent 12 00:00:55,360 --> 00:00:59,320 Speaker 3: women's retreat. 13 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:08,000 Speaker 4: Ideas so much that rich here actually die, It goes down, 14 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:14,039 Speaker 4: so you don't want to So finally, let's let's make 15 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:17,679 Speaker 4: it happen. That's final way to make it happen. 16 00:01:17,959 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 1: I love that find a way to make it happen. 17 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:21,760 Speaker 1: I love that. 18 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:29,720 Speaker 5: Since I met you yesterday, I've encountered you throughout camp 19 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 5: and you're. 20 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 1: So full of joy. 21 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 6: Oh, thank you, And I'm so curious to learn a 22 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 6: little bit more about your story, yes, and to hear 23 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:41,199 Speaker 6: you know about your life and so would you share 24 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:44,600 Speaker 6: a little bit about your story what has shaped you 25 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:47,559 Speaker 6: into who you are today. 26 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:51,480 Speaker 7: So, as you know, I was two months old, i 27 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 7: quit wading. 28 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 4: It's called the newest Sid's episode with that, it was 29 00:01:57,920 --> 00:01:59,560 Speaker 4: a little bit wain damage. 30 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:05,040 Speaker 7: It happened. My family was always the believers of Jesus. 31 00:02:05,320 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 7: They prayed for me. 32 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 4: It's funny because the doctor who was on Gold that 33 00:02:11,600 --> 00:02:16,560 Speaker 4: night literally just by the study about traumatic brain injury, 34 00:02:16,919 --> 00:02:21,040 Speaker 4: and that's what I had. And there's perfect how God 35 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:24,200 Speaker 4: put that doctor in the same. 36 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:25,200 Speaker 7: Womb where I needed. 37 00:02:25,720 --> 00:02:29,040 Speaker 4: And then you know, throughout my whole life, God has 38 00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:31,960 Speaker 4: been there for me because they thought I would be 39 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:35,160 Speaker 4: vegetated and on a feeding tube. 40 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:37,200 Speaker 6: So it's just amazing. 41 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:42,520 Speaker 4: Yes, and so it's just been amazing how God tim 42 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:48,200 Speaker 4: to go to school and last year I graduated. 43 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:50,359 Speaker 7: That's incredible. 44 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:55,120 Speaker 4: And it was crazy to think that if God wasn't 45 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:59,440 Speaker 4: there that night, I would it have been here today. 46 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:01,560 Speaker 7: It's just amazing. 47 00:03:01,240 --> 00:03:07,480 Speaker 4: How God works in my life. I struggled for a 48 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 4: long time with my mental health. 49 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:12,040 Speaker 7: Back in twenty twenty. 50 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:16,600 Speaker 4: One, I almost took my life because I felt like 51 00:03:17,680 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 4: no one was here for me. My family has helped 52 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:28,680 Speaker 4: me so much throughout my mental health journey. I started 53 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 4: at the Salation on Me for volunteer hours okay sunny 54 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 4: and volunteer hours for. 55 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 7: School, and I never left. 56 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:43,760 Speaker 5: When have you felt most seen and valued and known 57 00:03:43,920 --> 00:03:46,119 Speaker 5: within the body of believers? 58 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:48,720 Speaker 7: I lived at church all my life. 59 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:53,960 Speaker 4: Yeah, like I felt loved and sad, but I wouldn't 60 00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:55,520 Speaker 4: getting really feel accepted. 61 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 7: They didn't try to exclude me. That hurt really deep. 62 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:04,760 Speaker 4: There wasn't until I came to the Savation Army where 63 00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 4: I felt safe, accepted and loved and just being ment 64 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 4: towards bored into myself. 65 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:22,320 Speaker 5: What do you think it was that made you feel 66 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:24,839 Speaker 5: accepted in that moment. 67 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:27,120 Speaker 7: Just by. 68 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:35,080 Speaker 4: Coming here and seeing that, you know, just another person 69 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 4: in the world. 70 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 7: Like people don't see me as someone in a world chair. 71 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:44,039 Speaker 4: They see me like you and other people who can 72 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 4: walk again. 73 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:47,559 Speaker 7: I really that was really good. 74 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:48,680 Speaker 1: I love that. 75 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:55,800 Speaker 5: R Hannah, Yes right, yes, we're all we're all different, right, 76 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 5: so not not two of us are are. 77 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:01,960 Speaker 4: Lives, but like you, guys, come open with open on 78 00:05:02,760 --> 00:05:07,320 Speaker 4: and it's been quite a wonderful journey. 79 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:10,279 Speaker 1: That's incredible. And I see that in you. 80 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 5: I see that joy that's there and that you're able 81 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:16,760 Speaker 5: to I think be Hannah. 82 00:05:16,800 --> 00:05:19,760 Speaker 7: My meddal name is can I Sunshine Joy? 83 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:24,720 Speaker 1: Is it? Yes, Hannah's Sunshine Joy. Yes, that's beautiful. 84 00:05:24,960 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 7: Thank you. 85 00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:29,599 Speaker 5: So when when you're when you were named that, I 86 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:31,000 Speaker 5: think God inspired that. 87 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 4: Yes, definitely, I believe that God was from my mom 88 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:37,440 Speaker 4: when she was naming me. 89 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:42,520 Speaker 3: Hey, you're listening to the Salvation Army's Words of Life. 90 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:44,840 Speaker 3: We're going to take a quick ad break and we'll 91 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 3: be right back. 92 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:58,479 Speaker 5: So how is your personal relationship with God shape the 93 00:05:58,520 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 5: way you understand who you are and how you belong. 94 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 4: It wasn't until after my mental health crisis where I 95 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 4: started to really understand God and really pray and really 96 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:20,640 Speaker 4: like hold on him like I heard other people saying 97 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:21,440 Speaker 4: how God. 98 00:06:21,279 --> 00:06:22,320 Speaker 7: Talked to them. 99 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:27,200 Speaker 4: Well, I didn't expect it for him to say, hey, 100 00:06:27,279 --> 00:06:28,680 Speaker 4: you like talk to you. 101 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:34,719 Speaker 7: He talked to me and saying like stand up, Like why. 102 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:38,039 Speaker 4: I was kind of really confused, on Mike, is it 103 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:39,919 Speaker 4: me that's talking to myself? 104 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:42,360 Speaker 7: Like what is going on? 105 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:48,000 Speaker 4: I thought it was myself myself talking to me, but no, 106 00:06:48,160 --> 00:06:51,599 Speaker 4: it was God told you to stand up and why. 107 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 7: I came with the help of. 108 00:06:53,080 --> 00:06:58,440 Speaker 4: My mom's pastor and my family. I was able to 109 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:04,960 Speaker 4: use my virtuair and stand up. Yes, it was so incredible, 110 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:10,360 Speaker 4: and so I just feel like my personal relationship was 111 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 4: He told me he wasn't some other people trying to say, 112 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:18,360 Speaker 4: you know, God, God can hear you now. He was 113 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:22,520 Speaker 4: talking to me and he had calmed me to the 114 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 4: salvation on me and said, come here and you will 115 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:31,840 Speaker 4: be accepted for who you are and you don't have 116 00:07:31,920 --> 00:07:34,480 Speaker 4: to change, you don't have to hide behind the mask. 117 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:37,120 Speaker 7: And I just think that. 118 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:43,400 Speaker 4: Being able to express myself and being pulled in by 119 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:50,240 Speaker 4: people like Miji, Michelle and Major Robert, like just so 120 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:53,720 Speaker 4: so many people here at camp has pulled into me 121 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 4: and has prayed. 122 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:57,280 Speaker 7: In for me. I just feel like it. 123 00:07:58,280 --> 00:08:02,720 Speaker 4: Yes, I believe, thank God, I believe he talks and 124 00:08:02,760 --> 00:08:09,200 Speaker 4: he always and I believe that everyone is beautiful Amazon 125 00:08:09,320 --> 00:08:10,600 Speaker 4: and God loves us. 126 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:12,040 Speaker 1: It's beautiful, Hannah. 127 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:15,760 Speaker 4: I just trying to be an advocate for those who 128 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 4: don't have a voice, Yes, who don't have Jesus on 129 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:22,440 Speaker 4: their side, who don't believe it. 130 00:08:23,080 --> 00:08:26,240 Speaker 7: I just play for them. Yes, there's a bunch of 131 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:30,600 Speaker 7: people in that and I stay in a wheelchair. A 132 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:34,480 Speaker 7: lot of them sit at home. They don't do nothing. 133 00:08:34,920 --> 00:08:40,480 Speaker 7: Just sit at home play video games. So go to sleep. 134 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 4: And I have a really good mom that pushed me 135 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:49,240 Speaker 4: to get my comforind Zone and taught me how to 136 00:08:49,240 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 4: be my own voice. 137 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:55,320 Speaker 5: And now you are that voice for others. That's wonderful 138 00:08:55,360 --> 00:08:58,960 Speaker 5: to hear an advocate. And your life is so full 139 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 5: and so rich and I'm sure I know for me 140 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:06,280 Speaker 5: and for many others and inspiration. 141 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 1: So Hannah, when God sees you, what does he see? 142 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:20,040 Speaker 4: I think he smiles, even though I'm stubborn to get out, 143 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:21,120 Speaker 4: and I did. 144 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:23,520 Speaker 7: Go fast, and I just speed in my little chair. 145 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:29,400 Speaker 7: When yes, I feel like he. 146 00:09:30,760 --> 00:09:35,560 Speaker 4: Smiles and says, that's my child. I created her. 147 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:37,040 Speaker 7: In my image. 148 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:42,080 Speaker 4: I know, even when Satan tried to take me away, 149 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:46,520 Speaker 4: he said, ah, that's my child. 150 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:50,959 Speaker 7: The song that we've been singing. 151 00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 4: This us making this testimony. 152 00:09:54,559 --> 00:09:58,880 Speaker 7: This is my testimony and from death to that, and. 153 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:00,880 Speaker 1: That's exactly it's your testimony. 154 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:02,599 Speaker 7: That's my testimony. 155 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 4: When the burgess and somebody says, if I'm not dead, 156 00:10:07,520 --> 00:10:10,840 Speaker 4: you're not done, that's right. Any things are still to come. 157 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:15,199 Speaker 4: And I truly believe that because I'm here now talking 158 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 4: to you. And the doctors told my mom she'll never 159 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:23,160 Speaker 4: be able to talk like I feel like God has 160 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:24,680 Speaker 4: a purpose for. 161 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:28,480 Speaker 7: Me and give me a mouth to talk. Is that 162 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:29,199 Speaker 7: talking about? 163 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:35,679 Speaker 3: Yes, we pray that you're enjoying and being blessed by 164 00:10:35,720 --> 00:10:39,559 Speaker 3: this conversation. We're going to take one more AdVac. 165 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:40,360 Speaker 7: And we'll be right back. 166 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:50,240 Speaker 5: What would you say to me and to anyone really 167 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:56,680 Speaker 5: to try to better understand being welcoming to people who 168 00:10:56,720 --> 00:11:01,440 Speaker 5: have disabilities? So how can we as a community what 169 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:03,800 Speaker 5: might be some things that we can do better? 170 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:06,240 Speaker 7: Yes, thank you for asking. 171 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:10,200 Speaker 4: You know, one of the things that I've seen from 172 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:12,800 Speaker 4: the Salvation on Me that I don't see from other 173 00:11:12,880 --> 00:11:14,319 Speaker 4: church says, you. 174 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:17,360 Speaker 7: Don't look at the disability, you look at the person. 175 00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:22,760 Speaker 4: I would say that like try to make sure that 176 00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:24,760 Speaker 4: did they all arramps? 177 00:11:25,040 --> 00:11:27,920 Speaker 7: And thanks? 178 00:11:27,960 --> 00:11:32,240 Speaker 4: Like having a van like a handicapped van for the 179 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 4: Salvation on Me that can not only pick up me, but. 180 00:11:38,040 --> 00:11:39,480 Speaker 7: Pick up older people. 181 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:45,440 Speaker 4: And inclusion is if you don't include, you're gonna miss 182 00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:47,840 Speaker 4: out of some very awesome people. 183 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 7: That's right. 184 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:54,760 Speaker 4: And just if I can't get somewhere's let's make and 185 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:58,320 Speaker 4: let's make it happen, Like that's final way to make 186 00:11:58,360 --> 00:11:58,920 Speaker 4: it happen. 187 00:11:59,160 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 7: I love that. 188 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:02,040 Speaker 1: Find a way to make it happen. 189 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:04,840 Speaker 4: I love that, yes, and that's one of things that 190 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:05,920 Speaker 4: I really like. 191 00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:08,480 Speaker 7: The cool officer she. 192 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:13,480 Speaker 4: Portrayed a few years ago and she's like, well, you 193 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:14,920 Speaker 4: do know you can go to camp. 194 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 7: I said, no, I can't. 195 00:12:16,840 --> 00:12:21,080 Speaker 4: I'm in a wheelch She's like, oh, honey, these away 196 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 4: and so hims came to your counsels and then this 197 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:27,720 Speaker 4: is my second women's camp. 198 00:12:28,120 --> 00:12:28,920 Speaker 7: She's like, I'm. 199 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:31,880 Speaker 4: Gonna make a way. We don't know what, but we 200 00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:34,040 Speaker 4: will make a way for you to be able. We 201 00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:37,880 Speaker 4: will make it happen no matter what. I really do 202 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 4: appreciate people who do make it happen and who do 203 00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:46,319 Speaker 4: include me because I know that I'm better for it. 204 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:50,199 Speaker 5: That's such a great message finding a way to make 205 00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:50,760 Speaker 5: it happen. 206 00:12:53,679 --> 00:12:59,560 Speaker 4: I pray that everyone listening to my testimony will it 207 00:12:59,640 --> 00:13:03,880 Speaker 4: could learn to step up and say, well, if she 208 00:13:04,120 --> 00:13:07,280 Speaker 4: can do it, then so can I. 209 00:13:07,280 --> 00:13:08,880 Speaker 7: I know I'm not the only. 210 00:13:08,679 --> 00:13:14,320 Speaker 4: One saful people who have a testimony and is afraid 211 00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:18,079 Speaker 4: to share it. And it's scary stepping out of the 212 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:22,600 Speaker 4: comfort zone, not knowing what's gonna happen. 213 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:29,760 Speaker 7: To pay that no matter what, I won't lose my footing. 214 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:35,040 Speaker 4: And Christ like I lost before because that was that's 215 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:38,840 Speaker 4: pretty rough. But I don't think I'm gonna be losing 216 00:13:38,920 --> 00:13:43,920 Speaker 4: it because of how special it is and how it 217 00:13:44,120 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 4: is a joy to be here. 218 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:56,640 Speaker 2: The Salvation Army's mission doing the most good means helping 219 00:13:56,679 --> 00:13:59,719 Speaker 2: people with material and spiritual needs. You become a part 220 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:02,480 Speaker 2: of this every time you give to the Salvation Army. 221 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:05,840 Speaker 2: Visit Salvation Army USA dot org to offer your support. 222 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:08,280 Speaker 2: You can subscribe to Words of Life on your favorite 223 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:12,600 Speaker 2: podcast store or visit Salvation armyesoundcast dot org. Join us 224 00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:15,280 Speaker 2: next time for the Salvation Armies Words of Life. 225 00:14:15,040 --> 00:14:23,320 Speaker 3: These are the words of Life. 226 00:14:23,520 --> 00:14:26,480 Speaker 7: Are the words of Life. 227 00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:34,280 Speaker 3: Thanks so much for listening to Words of Life. We 228 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:36,160 Speaker 3: want to thank the team at Life Audio for their 229 00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:39,680 Speaker 3: partnership with us on the show. Visit lifeaudio dot com, 230 00:14:39,680 --> 00:14:42,360 Speaker 3: where you'll find dozens of other faith centered podcasts in 231 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:46,200 Speaker 3: their network. They have shows about prayer, Bible studying, parenting, 232 00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:49,320 Speaker 3: and more. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you next time.