I'm a Disabled Veteran, a Traveling Veteran's Advocate, who's permanently in a Mobility Wheelchair…read moreand has 2 small Service Dogs. Being that I have a local Church that I attend but it's difficult getting there being that the Marta Mobility and Marta transportation aren't reliable. There's been sometimes I have sat at the Marta North Springs Train Station have waited for the bus over two hours so I could go home.
Last Sunday which was Easter Sunday I decided that I would try to going to a Church that's closer to my residence which I could get there riding my Mobility Wheelchair.
Instead of being treated right as having " Best Day Ever " that a sign displayed on the outside of the Church said that I would.
Instead, I was mistreated, discriminated and even had a church. Member taunt me and said to me that I was being unchristian. He said that to me while I was having a panic attack and my PTSD was triggered.
I believe at Elevation Church they discriminate against people with disabilities,they put them in the very back of the church. Sitting in the back of the church, it's a complete trigger to me especially because I once had experienced something bad by sitting back the church. Plus, I have sight and hearing impairment sitting in the back, I can't comprehend or enjoy the service. Although several men in the church made room for me to sit up in the front where there should have a section up in the front for ones with disabilities especially ones that have hearing impairment, because it's easy to read lips of the speaker or if they have an interpreter it's easier for them.
I totally felt extremely sad I couldn't believe the way I was talked to and was disrespected, I felt completely alone and that didn't nobody cared. Although they have my contact information and others have reached out to the Pastor and Church by email nobody has responded.
Now , I don't feel safe to go to any Church in fear that will be mistreated like the way I was at Elevation Church.
There were many ADA laws violated last Sunday and they really need to be educated on those laws and how they are in place to protect and govern individuals with disabilities and service dogs. Also, the ones who are in charge of being Ushers and Security needs Sensitivity and other trainings, especially when there's a lot of broken people that are coming to Church for to hear two words, be close to God and for healing. To treat them and make them feel uncomfortable is beyond extremely sad words.
I know I will never ever step foot back in that church, and I probably disappointed in the way that they have acted . If you go to Google.com and search Lisa Groves Veterans, you'll see that I have provided Advocacy and assistance to numerous of Veterans and their families. Plus, I've been on 2 No Veteran Left Behind Driving Missions, I have never discriminate any Veteran, their families and individuals especially the homeless.
Almost 4 years ago due to a botched surgery, injuries from Steroid and Cortizone injections I started experiencing numbness in my legs and feet to the point where I lost the ability to properly walk, which I ended up permanently in a Mobility Wheelchair. Which I was left on my own, I had to learn how to cope and how to live my life from a Mobility Wheelchair. I also learned that being in a Mobility Wheelchair some people don't treat you right and it's the same with me having 2 Service dogs.
I pray that I will find a Church that I can go to that represents how God has instructed us to live, His true words is being preached, to be in the presence of people who are truly Christians and have the love of God in their hearts.
