Disability and Faith

He's Still My Dad - What Schizophrenia Changed, and What It Didn't.

The heart of this episode is deeply personal. I share my story as a daughter and caregiver to my dad, who has lived with schizophrenia for nearly 43 years. I was raised in a culture of stigma and secrecy around mental illness. We didn’t talk about it. We survived it quietly. And yet — he was still my dad. At 18 years old, I became his primary caregiver. In 2007, when his condition worsened significantly, I had to step into even more responsibility. I navigated difficult decisions. I talk honestly about broken systems. Limited resources. The lack of safety nets for people like my dad. I share what schizophrenia has looked like up close — the delusions, the crises, the emotional toll. And I speak candidly about the pain of being treated like the enemy during episodes, even when you’re the one holding everything together. This episode is about breaking the silence. It’s about naming the stigma. It’s about helping the Church understand that severe mental illness exists inside faithful families. I challenge churches and leaders to talk openly about mental health, to partner with organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and to create environments where families can seek help without shame. I share how counseling has helped me — and I encourage you to pursue counseling sooner rather than later. Caregivers need care. And ultimately, I anchor this whole journey in Jesus. I do not have the strength for this on my own. My endurance as a caregiver depends on Christ — His strength, His purpose, and the hope that suffering is not wasted. My dad is not his diagnosis. He is a great dad. You are Invited In 🩵 Other Resources: www.christineboyle.com [www.christineboyle.com] Disability and The Church Conference [https://disabilityandthechurch.com/] NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness [https://www.nami.org/]

Proms are Nice. Belonging is Better.

In this episode of Disability and Faith, host Christine Boyle talks about the upcoming global Tim Tebow Prom event, 'Night to Shine', for people with disabilities. Christine passionately articulates her mixed feelings about the event, emphasizing the need for intentional, year-round disability ministry rather than one-time celebrations. She calls for strategic follow-ups, relationship-building, and the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of church life. Christine urges listeners to move beyond pity and superficial acts of kindness towards true discipleship and co-laboring with people with disabilities. The Five Stages of Changing Attitudes [https://www.wheaton.edu/wheaton-center-for-faith-and-disability/disability-foundations/stages-of-attitudes/] 00:00 Introduction and Podcasting Struggles 02:38 Rebranding and Ministry Goals 04:20 Tim Tebow Prom Night to Shine Overview 08:29 Critique of One-Time Events 12:18 The Need for Year-Round Disability Ministry 23:18 Theological Perspective on Disability Ministry 30:14 Call to Action for Volunteers 32:48 Building Friendships Beyond Social Media 33:36 Creative Ways to Connect with Disabled Friends 35:08 The Importance of Showing Up 40:02 Understanding the Five Stages of Disability Attitudes 41:42 From Pity to Co-Laborers: A Shift in Perspective 45:04 The Role of the Church in Disability Ministry 47:22 Practical Steps for Inclusive Church Environments 49:52 The True Meaning of Community and Belonging 57:32 Invitation to Get Involved 59:14 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

The Unapologetic Advocate & Caregiver

In this episode, Christine Boyle shares a raw and emotional recount of her recent experience with a case manager from the Ohio Department of Medicaid. The episode details an incident during her son's annual Medicaid Waiver assessment that turned adversarial, highlighting the systemic challenges caregivers face. Christine delves into her 25-year journey as a caregiver, the importance of advocacy, and the brokenness in the system that caregivers must navigate. She reflects on how her faith drives her advocacy efforts and encourages other caregivers to stand firm in their God-given roles, despite the challenges and misunderstandings they may face. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:25 The Incident and Initial Reactions 01:37 Medicaid Waiver Program Challenges 02:45 Case Manager Communication Issues 06:22 The Emotional Toll of Caregiving 08:07 Advocacy and Systemic Issues 27:05 Personal Reflections and Faith 32:03 Embracing Misunderstandings with Grace 33:24 Living for God and Honoring Our Kids 34:00 The Spiritual Significance of Caregiving 36:27 Standing Firm in Advocacy 37:57 Facing Adversity with Faith 38:48 The Struggles of Navigating the System 42:00 A Personal Story of Advocacy 53:15 The Importance of Strong Advocacy

Hope & A Future - Two Teen Moms, One Faithful God

In this deeply personal and hope-filled episode of Disability and Faith- Invited In with Christine Boyle, Christine welcomes her dear friend and mentor, Betsy Stretar, for a powerful conversation about God’s redemption and the beauty of spiritual friendship. Years ago, Betsy—herself once a teen mom—walked beside Christine during one of the most vulnerable seasons of her life—as a teen mom searching for purpose and hope. Together, they revisit that journey of faith, resilience, and transformation, sharing how God wove their stories together through Young Life’s ministry for teen moms, YoungLives. With honesty and tenderness, Christine and Betsy reflect on life-changing moments, including the joy of Christine’s daughter Courteney’s birth and the heartbreak of her passing. Through it all, they reveal how God’s love turned pain into purpose—and how mentorship rooted in compassion can change generations. You’ll be inspired by their friendship, moved by their faith, and reminded that no story is beyond God’s redeeming grace. Tune in and discover how His promise of “a hope and a future” still holds true for every heart. To give to the incredible ministry of YoungLives: www.giving.younglife.org/younglives [https://www.giving.younglife.org/younglives]

The End of My Young Life Era

In this heartfelt episode of Disability and Faith, Christine Boyle opens up about closing one beautiful chapter and stepping boldly into another. After eight incredible years serving with Young Life, Christine reflects on how this ministry—especially Young Life Capernaum, which reaches teens with disabilities—deeply shaped her life, her faith, and her family. From the moment she first encountered Young Life to her powerful testimony of encountering Christ at an abortion clinic, Christine shares candidly about the joys, challenges, and moments that changed everything. As she announces her transition from Young Life to founding the Invited In Disability Ministry, she casts a compelling vision for what’s next: creating spaces of belonging for adults with disabilities and equipping churches to be faith communities that accurately reflect God's heart for people with disabilities and their families. With passion and gratitude, Christine invites listeners to be part of this new beginning—through prayer, volunteering, and financial support—to help ensure that every person with a disability knows they are seen, valued, and fully invited in. You are Invited In! www.invitedin.org www.younglife.org