What if one of the largest unreached people groups in your community is hiding in plain sight? In this episode of Every Child Belongs, Kim Botto sits down with disability advocate, ministry leader, and educator Abby Howard. After a rare spinal cord stroke at age 19 left her paralyzed from the chest down, Abby’s life changed overnight. What began as a devastating medical crisis eventually became a calling to help churches make the Gospel accessible to people with disabilities and their families. Today, Abby serves as a disability ministry coordinator, special education graduate, and founder of The Accessible Gospel, where she equips churches with practical tools to welcome and disciple people with disabilities. Through personal stories, ministry experience, and a deep passion for the Great Commission, Abby challenges churches to rethink what belonging truly means. Together, Kim and Abby discuss invisible disabilities, common misconceptions about disability ministry, why so many families have left churches, and how simple accommodations can create life-changing opportunities for children and adults to experience the love of Christ. Abby also shares her own journey of learning to be honest about her disability and allowing others to help carry her burdens. Whether you’re a parent, pastor, volunteer, educator, or church leader, this conversation will encourage you to see disability ministry not as a specialized program, but as an essential part of making disciples and building a church where every person belongs. “Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely” by Kim Botto https://amzn.to/3Utuw6V (affiliate links) Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they’ve experienced trauma. We’ll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids in student ministries.