501-362-7526 info@maysmission.org 604 Colonial Drive, Heber Springs, Arkansas 72543

Tag: programs

Consider Jesus…

Say the word “Christmas” and tell me the first thought that pops into your head. Was it trees, giving, Santa Claus, season, children? If so, do not feel alone. Our culture has changed. What once used to be a sacred, solemn, Christian celebration has turned into a lack-luster “religious” time where merchants cash in on seasonal profits. We have taken Christ out of Christmas by choice. The baby Jesus, born in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes, probably the most humble of beginnings for a king, ranks low on the list when it comes to the focal point of… Read More

Serving

It may seem like a trite statement to say that “we have so much to be thankful for,” as we hear it every year around the Thanksgiving dinner table. Yet, for the vast majority of US citizens, this statement holds undeniably true. We live in a land birthed in freedom from tyranny that continues on to this day. Some friends of mine have a tradition of going to a “food kitchen” on Thanksgiving Day to assist in serving the homeless and those who just can’t afford a hot meal. They tell me of how humbling it is to see these… Read More

Religious freedom for all

Even though the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed and fully implemented in 1992, not all facilities were required to become “accessible.”  The ADA covered “public accommodations” but has no authority over private institutions and organizations. So let’s talk a bit about “places of worship.” Churches, synagogues, fellowships or whatever a place of worship chooses to be called do not fall under the auspices, rules and guidelines of the ADA.  Because these institutions are private religious organizations, they are not required to become compliant with Title III of the ADA regarding “public accommodations.” Now, I have been in many… Read More

Volunteerism

We can’t say enough about the importance of volunteerism. Ask any hospital, nonprofit organization or civic related agency and they will attest to the fact that volunteerism is their backbone, strength and support. Volunteers do everything from answering the phone to driving busses and anything in between. Even professionals such as doctors, dentists and counselors often provide their services to clinics that offer care to low income families and individuals. Lawyers and paralegals often devote a certain amount of their time to those who could not afford their services on a walk-in basis. Volunteers often get out and do the… Read More

Good Neighbors

  The sweltering heat of summer is upon us.  Record-breaking temperatures have already hit the northeast.  We, here in the south, are always anticipating the “dog-days” of summer-but few can honestly say they enjoy the heat indices commonly above 105.   A healthy able-bodied person may go to the lake for a swim or take a cool dip in a pool.  So refreshing and what a relief!  Yet, for many with disabilities these options are not available.  Therefore, one must take precautions not to get overheated in this volatile time of the year.  It is common for people with spinal… Read More

Vacation Time

Everyone needs a break from the hustle and bustle of his or her everyday routine. Whether you are working a 40-hour a week job, being a house-mom, volunteering or even retired, we all like to get out and get away from our usual environment and take a vacation – and especially right now has many Covid-19 restrictions are being lifted all across the country. Trips to the big city, camping, theme parks and national and state parks are just a few of the multitude of possibilities for a family vacation.             For people with disabilities, just a smidgen of planning… Read More

Just Say Thank You

Ewing Mays began his “mission” by visiting his fellow veterans with whom he shared a common bond.  All of them had been wounded in the war and many of them, like Mr. Mays, had lost a leg or an arm in the service of their country.  He knew what they were going through.  He had been there.  And he was determined to help as many as he could.  He wanted to help them to understand that life could still be worthwhile and he wanted to share with them what he had learned and what he had done to overcome his… Read More

Reaching Out

Followers of this website may have noticed some changes recently. We are trying to reach out to more people with the addition of a blog.  Our founder, Ewing W. Mays, started Mays Mission as a way to reach out and raise awareness for people with disabilities, and it’s what we have been doing for over 48 years now. And hopefully as we grow stronger in the online community this will open up new employment opportunities for interested people with disabilities seeking work. Mays Mission for the Handicapped was conceived to offer on the job training and employment to persons with… Read More

Make Caregiving a Team Effort

When tragedy, sudden illness, disability or death occurs within your family or circle of close friends, there is often a feeling of helplessness or emptiness. With illness or disability, one can usually cope by visiting the loved one and offering to lend a helping hand. Volunteering to do chores, watch the kids, and run errands not only helps tremendously the stricken individual and their family, but it also gives the person assisting a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. There is not much of a better feeling than knowing that you have assisted a friend in getting through a crisis.  You… Read More

Cautious Rehabilitation Pays Off

When the body has suffered trauma, whether it is from an accident or disease, it takes time and patience to recover. The rehabilitation process is often long and drawn out. During inactivity, muscles, joints and tendons weaken. Due to this inactivity, it takes, on the average, three times longer to heal. Let’s say you broke your arm and it was in a cast for 3 weeks. It will take approximately 9 weeks to regain full strength and range of motion, due to immobility.   Setting goals during the rehabilitation process is good; just make sure they are realistic. Being hospitalized… Read More

Happy New Year!

Another year has passed and some good questions might be “What have we accomplished? Are we better off in any way than we were 365 days ago?  What can we do in the coming year to improve our lives and the way we live?” Better yet, what can we do to improve the lives of others, especially those with disabilities? The dictionary describes an “advocate” as one who publicly supports or suggests an idea, development or way of doing something. Here at Mays Mission, our primary goal is to aid and assist people with disabilities. Yes, putting to work those who may have… Read More

The Greatest Gift

It’s that time of year again – the Christmas season. The brightly colored autumn leaves have fallen to the ground, announcing a time of rest and relaxation for many living things. We’ve stuffed ourselves with juicy Thanksgiving turkey and loads of luscious desserts from our bountiful buffets. People are putting up the Christmas decorations and the malls are calling for us to come and shop. In all the hustle and bustle, let’s not forget the “reason for the season,” the birth of Jesus. He came to us just as foretold by prophets of old (Isaiah 7:14). Without his birth, there… Read More

Seeing Faith in Action

I was at the doctor’s office the other day and I thought to myself that this is taking a long time. I looked across the aisle and noticed two ladies talking to each other. One lady said to the other, “I am so sorry for you missing work to take me to the doctor.” The other lady replied, “Oh that work will be there tomorrow. It’s not running off anywhere and no one else is there to do it, so it’s ok.” I had just witnessed someone taking off work to help a frail, elderly individual. My first thought was:… Read More

Issues with Accessibility

Not long ago, a friend of mine was killed in a terrible motorcycle accident. I had known Randy for nearly twenty years.  He and his wife were wonderful people – fun loving and a joy to be around.  It is always a difficult time saying “goodbye”, as well as trying to comfort a grieving family. To switch gears for just a minute, one would assume that with the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) this summer, access and design of modern buildings would be accessible to all.  But, alas, that is not the case…. Read More

Marie’s Faith in Action pulls her through . . .

About three months ago, I had an unexpected phone call from a person that has been active with Mays Mission for the Handicapped for over fifteen years. It was Marie. She had called us to apologize for not staying in contact.  Marie had just suffered the loss of her brother and a few weeks later she was hospitalized because of a near death experience and God’s grace pulled her through.   I then learned what a special person Marie is. Marie grew up without a family. Over eighteen years ago, she started P.A.V.E. Ministries with her church. P.A.V.E. Ministries is a pen… Read More

Accessibility