[Rehabilitation of the physically handicapped--a challenge to the Christian church?].

The question of whether rehabilitation of physically disabled people constitutes a challenge for the Christian churches must be answered with a clear "Yes" by their members. The churches and hence the Christians themselves, must on the basis of their faith make it quite clear that rehabilitation of physically disabled persons is a holistic process involving body, mind, and soul. Physical care must therefore be matched by intensive spiritual assistance; that handicapped persons are of equal worth in the sight of God as the able bodied, hence do not constitute "unworthy life"; that physically disabled persons must be afforded an existence worthy of human dignity; that Christian communities should encourage volunteer work; that provision of good education and vocational training, as well as preparation for a meaningful life without gainful activity, must be given attention. All these emanate from the call to emulate Jesus Christ.