Claudia is a Junior Communications Studies major, who spent last summer as an intern for the non-profit organization, Joni and Friends, in Phoenix, Arizona. JAF works with families who have children with disabilities - providing resources, assistance, and ultimately communicating the Gospel to them.
How did you get connected with Joni and Friends?
“I have a little brother with Down-syndrome who I provide respite care for, and so I was interested in ministries relating to disabled children. Joni and Friends sent a guest speaker who came to my church and spoke. That was the beginning for me.”
Explain your experiences over the summer, if you can, in one word and why that particular word?
“Stretch or growth. I was only interning with Joni and Friends for six weeks, but so much happened in that time. It took a long time to process everything I experienced.”
What activities did you participate in and how did your training at APU help and inform you in these activities?
“In Arizona, I volunteered at a Vacation Bible School and camp at a local church for families with children struggling with disabilities. I was paired with a girl who had severe epilepsy and seizures. This hugely impacted how I viewed my own family’s struggle in caring for a disabled child. I walked away grateful for my brother.
We also travelled to the Dominican Republic to help train teachers who work with students with disabilities. We (the student interns) knew more in our limited experience than the teachers did.
Additionally, we had a guest from Arizona Autism United speak and he mentioned communication theories that I had previously learned in communication studies classes at APU. I had no idea that I would hear communication theory again outside the classroom.”
What attitudes and values do you see in the APU community that stuck out to you during your time with Joni and Friends?
“I definitely see the worth of the individual life. All life has value in the eyes of God, especially people with disabilities. I also see the need for people to be more aware of those with disabilities, and the APU community could progress in this area.”
What are your future plans?
“I’d love to work with people with disabilities in the future, and potentially start a support group for people dealing with this issue at my church. I want people to have the community that I never had growing up. I [also] want others to know more about those with disabilities so that they can go and serve. I left my summer internship with a completely new perspective on disability. God really got a hold of me.”
If you could give any advice to an incoming freshman, or to your younger self, what would it be?
“[My advice would be] to get over your own comfort zone and get involved. I would also say to not be so anxious and caught up in present situations. Recognize who you are as an individual and don’t forget about who God is shaping you to be. In my own life, it has been remembering that I’m not my brother. He is part of my story, but not my whole story.”
