Faith Inclusion Committee President Named

Lynn Parsons of the Hurst Texas Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been named president of The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Needs Council of Tarrant County’s Faith Inclusion Committee.

Formed to help people with disabilities and their families be integrated into their church communities, the Faith Inclusion Committee is comprised of more than a dozen lay and ministerial members from Tarrant County.

“Anyone with an interest is welcome [to join the committee],” said Parsons. “I became involved in this because I’m an educational diagnostician for HEB ISD—I test special education kids, keep the legal paperwork, and see that they get what they need. I’m also a Disability Specialist for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

The parent of two special needs children and grandparent of two more, Parsons has dedicated her life to helping the wider community understand the unique challenges of people with disabilities.

“Education is the key,” said Parsons. “The more you learn about someone’s disability, the better you are able to interact, and see the person behind the challenges.”

Parsons has written two books, disAbilities and the Gospel with Danielle Ferguson and, most recently, Plain and Simple Truths, a hands-on teaching guide for religious topics. “It’s like Religion 101 meets Cub Scout science,” said Parsons.

Parsons has also developed ldsdisabilitieshelp.com, a website rich in resources and help for people with disabilities and their families. Primarily the outcome of her calling as a Disability Specialist for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the website has valuable depth and insight into this important topic. It is a fast developing forum for sharing and a sense of community for those with disabilities and the people who love them.

Featured in the June 2013 edition of The Ensign, a monthly magazine published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Parsons said she wants to get the word out so that people can know where to find help. She credits her faith with helping her to find solutions.

“[. . .] if you really seek the answer through prayer,” she says, “you will be inspired where to look to find your answer.”

The Faith Inclusion Committee is currently working on web-based resources and developing funding for future faith based symposiums. Lynn Parsons invites anyone with an interest to email her at [email protected].