I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.


When I came across this book in the NetGalley listing, it interested me for a few reasons. One of my siblings is an intact quad due to advanced Cerebral Palsy, another is currently being ravaged by Poly Myositis and I’ve been differently abled for 25+ years due a slip and fall that sent my entire autoimmune system into catastrophic failure. At the time, I was in my early 40’s, had just recovered from uterine cancer and was at the peak of my professional career in the publishing industry with the then number one retailer. Overnight, I went from 70+ hour work weeks to 24 hours of pain and medics problem solving with literal coast to coast visits to every major medical institution in search of answers and relief that to this day has never come. Needless to say, I and my family have more than a passing experience with disability, caretaking, caregiving and thankfully, with God and faith

Disability Theology and Accompaniment Theology are two subjects author, Topher Endress, explores in his book ACCOMPANYING DISABILITY. Endress is a minister and in trying to define these two areas of theology, he asks many questions along with offering a “Pringles” approach to the actual definition, (“can’t eat just one”). My takeaway is that he himself has yet to decide what these areas are or should be or perhaps they continue to change as the church continues to morph. As one who approaches the book from every aspect, I found it unsettling. Things get better after the introduction.

Chapters alternate between Topher and his father, John who tells the story about the hiking accident and what he remembers from the time following it. Once he is post surgery and awake from anesthesia, his ability to recall is fine but now he’s a full quad and unable to breathe and communicate. Blessedly, after much hard work and rehab, John learns
to do both again without mechanical intervention. There’s much more to his story that you should read for yourself. Anyone who has experienced a life altering injury or illness will find much to appreciate in John’s writing.

From Topher, I get a combination of feelings. At times, he’s the son reacting to the wide range of emotions and stress surrounding his father and family; understandable. At other times, he’s is a professor delivering the thesis contained in this book but with an unnecessary touch of belligerence. When he draws in the spiritual elements, he comes across annoyed and angry, often quoting well known scriptures and completely taking them out of context. In addition, I found his too frequent use of expletives offensive and unprofessional. Perhaps you’d find Psalm 19:14 helpful, sir.

Ultimately, it’s the author’s goal for the church to do a better job of reaching out and meeting the needs of those who are differently abled - my term of choice. THAT is a wide category of people from 0-100+ touching every race and creed. Family and friends bear the majority of this burden. Legalities exist and the government sticks its nose in, but should it? Topher has much to say about these ideas.

The church was built for such a time and purpose as this. Kudos to Topher Endress for starting a conversation📚

Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks

I was looking forward reading this book, I was hoping for some inspiration as a full-time carer. Unfortunately I was disappointed. I was only able to read it on Net Galley App, and this proved quite a challenge. I had to keep changing the page orientation and zooming in to read. This was hard especially when a a carer I don't have lots of time to read. I want it to be an enjoyable experience, which this wasn't, sadly.

As I wound down my time with Topher Endress's "Accompanying Disability: Caretaking, Family, and Faith," I'll admit that I immediately began wrestling with how to rate and review a book that, when it comes down to it, is not primarily targeted toward a reader like me.

"Accompanying Disability" is an admirable effort that weaves together a tapestry of memoir, biblical reflections, and exploration of the theological roots that can guide those who serve as caregivers for adults with disabilities.

It is not a book on disability theology. Instead, it's more a book advocating for an accompanying theology and a guide toward creating relationships with loved ones who have disabilities that are based on mutual respect, dignity, and affection.

"Accompanying Disability" finds its heart through the writings of Endress's father, an active and vibrant man who became a quadriplegic later in life after a hiking accident. He would live for several years as a quadriplegic and much of what comes through in "Accompanying Disability" seems birthed out of the author's experiences with and on behalf of his father and his lifelong engagement with disability.

Endress finds truth and insight in disability rights principles and Scripture and seeks to offer up a shift in society's perception of disability and those who have disabilities.

"Accompanying Disability" will most resonate with family members, friends, caregivers, and allies of those with disabilities - especially, I'd say, those who are fairly early in the journey. I'd dare say that those who've been on the journey for a while, or those actually living with disabilities, will find room to quibble with some of the language and assumptions that are peppered throughout the book.

Ultimately, that's why I say that "Accompanying Disability" isn't really aimed toward someone like me - a lifelong paraplegic and now a double amputee, wheelchair user, and recently a 2-time cancer survivor. Where Endress succeeds is in painting a portrait of a church needing to raise its standards in terms of relationships with those with disabilities, though that's for the most part deeper than "Accompanying Disability" really goes.

For me, I occasionally found the language to be ableist despite Endress's obvious efforts to the contrary (which is a big reason why I'm so conflicted in writing this review). Some of the language reminded me of well-meaning encounters I've had over the years especially in church settings. Yet, for every moment where I cringed (and there were several), there were others where I found myself completely enchanted by Endress's insights and refreshing attitudes and deeply moved by his relationship with his father.

There's no question, in fact, that his father's letters are my favorite part of "Accompanying Disability," letters that reflect spirituality, grief, frustration, and many sacred moments along the disability journey.

So, there you have it. At least from me. Again, I do believe there's a readership for "Accompanying Disability" especially among those who live their lives caring for loved ones with disabilities - a journey that is difficult, often lonely, and occasionally difficult to reconcile with the way we lean into our daily faith journeys. For those early in the caregiving journey, "Accompanying Disability" offers insight, comfort, and Scriptural wisdom.

Likely more a 3.5 rather than a 3-star, I've wrestled with how to rate a book that didn't quite come together for me but which I believe has an important place in the world of disability and faith. Ultimately, this is probably a case where my words are probably more important than the actual rating as I truly want to acknowledge the heart and intention here and to point the right readers toward this important discussion.