by Joshua Ruoff
In “Dilexit Te,” paragraph 76, the Holy Father reminds us that “Christian holiness often flourishes in the most forgotten and wounded places of humanity.
“The poorest of the poor — those who lack not only material goods but also a voice and the recognition of their dignity — have a special place in God’s heart. They are the beloved of the Gospel, the heirs to the kingdom (cf. Lk 6:20). It is in them that Christ continues to suffer and rise again. It is in them that the church rediscovers her call to show her most authentic self.”
Recently, a group of men shared both a concern and a conviction: that the remarkable strengths and abilities of individuals and families within the disability community remain largely undiscovered. Not because they are absent, but because the world has not yet learned how to see or listen to them.
The numbers affirm what our hearts already know: More than 7% of individuals with disabilities are unemployed — twice the national average. Fewer than 4% of companies intentionally serve the disability community through their products or services, and most engagement still occurs through charity rather than genuine partnership.
Yet the Gospel calls us to something greater — to see persons before disabilities and to recognize the presence of Christ in one another. Created in the image and likeness of God, every individual possesses inherent dignity and is deserving of reverence, inclusion, and the opportunity to contribute socially, economically and spiritually to their communities.
When we embrace this truth, we awaken the fullness of our shared humanity within our families, parishes and communities. Building such a foundation requires trust — and trust is born through the grace of listening.
In this spirit, Elevate Purple — a local organization founded by an individual with a disability — seeks to foster a renewed dialogue among families, communities and employers. Its mission is to identify and bridge the gaps that prevent persons with disabilities from discovering meaningful opportunities and a sense of belonging, while helping businesses cultivate relationships that strengthen both community and success.
You are invited to take part in this mission of renewal and discovery.
By taking just two minutes to complete a brief survey, you help the church — and the world — see every person’s God-given worth more clearly.
Go online to: elevate-purple.com to learn more and take the survey.
For questions or further information, contact Josh Ruoff in the archdiocesan special-needs ministry office at (913) 647-3054 or by email at: jruoff@archkck.org.
Let us help the church rediscover her most authentic self — by seeing the divine gifts already among us.
