Beyond Suffering for the next generation
a study guide
Excerpts used with permission from Beyond Suffering For the Next Generation Study Guide (c) 2015 All Right Reserved by Joni & Friends Inc.
Upon meeting Shaw Bates, it may not be immediately obvious that he has a disability. He has what is called a “hidden disability”—in his case, a learning disability. What will become readily apparent is that Shaw has a passion for ministering to people affected by disabilities, and that he is deeply committed to seeking and fulfilling God’s plan for his own life. He finds comfort and encouragement from the biblical example of Moses, through whom God worked mightily despite Moses’ speech impediment. If God could powerfully use Moses, Shaw reasons, then he can use me too—learning disability and all.
When I was 5 years old, my parents took me back to San Diego Regional Center to get tested by doctors. Due to my delay in development of major and minor motor skills, I was already seeing a speech and occupational therapist and crawling around on a scooter. The doctors would put peanut butter on my upper lip so I had to lick it off. When they had me draw stick figures with my right hand, I drew them big and right side up. But with my left hand, I drew the stick figures upside down and very small. The doctors and my parents were amazed and scratching their heads because of how I drew the stick figures. The doctors said that I could not learn and that there was no hope for me to ever learn. I even had teachers tell me that I could not learn. Besides my disabilities, another painful part of my early childhood occurred when my parents got a divorce.
Shaw Bates has a goal - To help people with disabilities to live independent and successful lives."I will create an educational work shop to inform the community about the challenges that people with disabilities face in college and the work place, and potential solutions." Shaw is hosting a Toastmaster conference titled "Overcoming with a Disability". Please see the invitation below.
Special Invitation to You
Shaw Bates invites you to a FREE Toastmasters event in Honolulu, Hawaii
TITLE: "Overcoming with a Disability"
SPEAKERS: John Kuwaye, Randy Costello, Cody Santiago
PANEL: Shaw Bates, Randy Costello, Cody Santiago
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018 8:30am - 12:pm
WHERE: Koko Head Elementary School 189 Lunalilo Home Rd, Honolulu, HI 96825
8:45am Introductions by Shaw Bates - Listen & read Pastor Danny Yamashiro interview with Shaw Bates
9:00am John Kuwaye - Abilities Unlimited, first as a client then as a Direct Support Worker, Mobility Trainer and Job Coach for 5 years.
9:30am Randy Castello - School Teacher - Assets School, lst & 2nd grades for dyslexic, gifted and ADD/ADHD children
10:30am Cody Santiago - see KHON TV news story on Disabilities Awareness Month with Cody Santiago
11am - Panel Discussion by Maunakea
GOAL: Shaw Bates - To help people with disabilities to live independent and successful lives. I will create an educational work shop to inform the community about the challenges that people with disabilities face in college and the work place, and potential solutions.
Shaw Bates is a Community Support Specialist at Goodwill Industries of Hawaii. He has been on staff at Goodwill since March 2013. He works with adults with developmental disabilities. His passion is to educate organizations about learning disabilities and to start disability ministries in various churches. He holds an A.A. Degree from Landmark College in Putney, Vermont. He is a Phi Theta Kappa member, and was a keynote speaker at a disability conference at Landmark College. Shaw holds a B.A. Degree in Psychology from Biola University in La Mirada, California. He is a member of Toastmasters, where he is developing his communication and leadership skills. He resides in Honolulu, Hawaii.
