19. Spirituality-Healing Connection

Most people would turn to religion or spirituality to cope with the pain and to ease the process of acceptance for their conditions. Spirituality and religiousness have roles to play in the rehabilitation process and in the lives of people with disabilities. It makes us recognise and embraced that there is a Higher Power Greater than us. But first let us differentiate the term of religion and spirituality.

Underwood-Gordon et al., (1997) also distinguished between the meanings of spirituality and religiousness. This pervasive discernment was reflected in the writings of other authors in the fields of rehabilitation, occupational therapy and nursing (Egan & DeLaat, 1994; Engquist, Short-DeGraff, Gliner, & Oltjenbruns, 1996; Fitzgerald, 1997) as well as in the field of religion (Thomas, 2000).

Although related, these terms are not considered synonymous by most authors. 

Religiousness is associated with systems of worship, each system having a dogma that is shared with a group (Underwood-Gordon et al., 1997).

Spirituality, on the other hand, is considered a broader term (King, Speck, & Thomas, 1994), not associated with a specific religion, but refers to an individual's overall beliefs about the meaning and purpose of life (Fulton & Moore, 1995; Kirsh, 1996). Thomas (2000) stated that the difference between the terms is a contemporary distinction that includes the assumption that "whereas religion deals with the outer life, that is, institutions, traditions, practices, doctrines, and moral codes, spirituality treats the inner life, which thus tends to be individualized" (Thomas, 2000, p. 43).

An online friend, Brad Miller whom I met from Becker Dystrophy Canada, a support group for those affected with BMD in Canada told me his experience with religion and spirituality in coming to term with his condition which he suffered since he was a child.

He said. “ Great question Fazz! I think it does have an affect! I am a Christian and believe my faith helps me at times but it is still from time to time I do find it hard accepting the affects this has on my day to day life. And in times of frustration my belief helps me through those hard times. I think everyone needs something to help them get through I have also found that listening to music helps me relax and feel better.

I guess we all have to find what works for us since many of us have different beliefs. Some may question if your a Christian then why hasn't God healed you yet? I'd have to respond telling them in the bible it says in heaven theres no more sickness or pain so that must mean some of us will have to wait until we get there to be healed. Until then I just have to trust in God that one day we might find a cure! And I know the subject of spirituality/religion is a touchy subject for some but whatever people believe I'm ok with that!

Another online friend I have met from my FB page is Aunty Rukiah who has a friend affected with MD and now he is on a wheelchair and could not move his hands and legs.

Rukiah wrote "Allah loves us & He is testing us. Everyone is given trials in their lives. Sebagai penebus dosa2 yg lalu & kita hendaklah redha Akan ketentuan hidup di alam yg fana ini supaya kita ditempatkan di kalangan mereka yg soleh n solehah. Hold on tight n always supplicate to Him for He is nearer than our jugalar vein. Alhamdulillah He has given us time utk memperbetulkan keadaan esp masa lampau kita yg jahiliah dulu. Tc "

Dua is the most powerful weapon against troubles,
The most effective medicine against Illness,
And
The most valuable Gift to give,
So I'm making a special Dua for you today..tc
wa itha maridtu fa huwa yash fiin....when i'm ill,He's the healer(recite this all the time to ease ur pain) tc

Noryanti Mahbub Saad who is suffering from cerebral palsy whom I also met on my FB page said, “I always doa to Allah don't left me behind. Alhamdulilah ketidakupayaan itu terus membuat saya terus bergantung kepada Allah kerana kita diberi ujian ini kerana kita mampu melaluinya .InsyaAllah. Allah yang memberi ,dia juga akan menyembuhkannya.

One of the most impressive compendium of the compiled in Lenvin's 2001 book - God, Faith and Health: Exploring the Spirituality-Healing Connection which cited :

a) religious Americans have a lifespan approximately 7 years longer on average than non-believer      American.

b)regular religious fellowship benefits health by offering social support that may buffer the effects of  stress and isolations.

c) participation in worship such as prayers, doa and meditation benefits health through the psychological effects of positive emotions.

d) having faith benefits physical and mental health related to thoughts of hope, optimism and positive emotions.

e) when persons who are prayed for by prayers group or other people, there is indications of health improvement due to perceived divine interventions.