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Chronic Illness and Disability

Journal of Religion Disability & HealthPublished 10 December 2007
Darla Schumm, Michael Stoltzfus
Citations17

TL;DR

Some of the unique personal, medical, social, and religious challenges facing people living with chronic illness and disability are described.

Abstract

Abstract In this paper we describe some of the unique personal, medical, social, and religious challenges facing people living with chronic illness and disability. Our specific focus involves the connections between suffering, healing, and disability in two religious traditions: Buddhism and Christianity. Two core questions focus our inquiry. First, why are chronic illness and disability often associated with merited suffering in Buddhism and Christianity? Second, what types of Buddhist and Christian practice can help cultivate spiritual healing in the midst of chronic conditions?

Keywords

Social SciencesArts and Humanities