[Doug]: Welcome to episode 17 of Feeling Through Live. I am very ecstatic to be joined today by Dr. Francis J Casale. He is a man who's lived many lives, including being a pastor. So today we're going to talk about a whole host of things, but before we hop into things, um, Dr. Francis I'd love, if you could just give a quick introduction, to, to everyone who's watching.
[Dr. Francis]: Hello there, I'm very excited to be here. Thank Jesus for that. So just to introduce myself, I grew up in a Catholic Italian family. My grandparents and my parents moved here to America. They went through Ellis Island here in New York, where they immigrated and then I was born here in the US.
[Doug]: Well that's um, that, let's get into that and open that up a little bit more. So let's go back. You said you were born to an Italian Catholic family. So what, I guess, as a child, what role did, Catholicism and religion play in your life?
[Dr. Francis]: This is Dr. Francis. Growing up in a Catholic household. I was around priests a lot. I was an alter boy. Around the age of 10 is where I started that for seven years. And I worked with priests and we went to different churches for services. I also worked with the Bishop as well as the Cardinal I worked with Father Harlan in New Orleans providing a week's worth of services there. And I really enjoyed it so very much. It really allowed me to further become connected with Christ and with our Lord.
[Doug]: So again, I wanna, I wanna just take a little bit more of a step back, cause I know that there's been quite a journey, um, from you as a, as a small boy to you now as a pastor. Um, and I know that, before we kind of get into that, I'd love to just talk, on the, on the side of things about, you are a man who is deafblind, and I'm wondering if you could explain a little bit about your journey through that lens and how you came to know that you were deafblind or how, you know, if it was something that progressed over time or if it was something from when you were a child. Can you explain that a little bit more?
[Dr. Francis]: This is Dr. Francis. Sure. I'd be happy to share that with you. I was born deaf, which my parents didn't know at the time that I was deaf until I was the age of two. I was a typical baby. I would play, but my parents noticed I wouldn't respond if they called me. So they took me to the doctor and they realized I was deaf. And I, at that time was heading, do you speech? They reached out to a speech therapist at school in California and figured out how to teach me how to speak. And that started when I was age of three, I also went to the American School for the Deaf and that's the first deaf school founded in our country. It's in Connecticut, in West Hartford.
[Dr. Francis]: So when I was around peers, I had 14 other students, 12 to 14 other students in my class. And many of them had deaf parents and they were signing like hands up in the air going lightning speed. And I was just in awe of that. I was frustrated. We would play a game, let's say together, even just simple, something with a ball. And as I got older, I would miss things when we were playing games with my peers. And it was frustrating later on when I was 16 years old, I did learn to drive a car car would veer a little bit. And my instructor said to me, I think you should go check to see an eye doctor. And I said, I can see just fine. And they said, no, they recommend that I go to see the eye doctor. And at that time is when I found out that I had Usher syndrome at the age of 16, the doctor explained to me what that meant. It would mean a tunneling of my vision. And I didn't realize I didn't have great peripheral vision. I also would experience night blindness. And my mom asked the doctor, how did this happen? And they said it was something genetic, something within the family. And that was a challenge to hear many years later, my wife and I, we have two children who are now grown one daughter. She is an interpreter. She is hearing. And she would hear, you know, our conversation and tell me everything that's going on. You know, why I had such my challenges that she would hear out in the community in 2012, when there was further discussion regarding my vision, you know, I was afraid I was upset. And when I was talking with my mom about it, you know, really that experience changed my life. And that is because of Jesus.
[Dr. Francis]: You know, I got my theology degree. I have my family, I have two wonderful children. And in talking with my mom, my mom really divulged a lot more information that when she was pregnant with me in 1947, my mom went to visit, visit my father's side of the family. And someone in that family had rubella. And although they visited, they tried to stay away. And my mom who felt bad for her, tried to help her out. She gave her a little bit of cream, to this family member and my mom thinks she perhaps contracted rubella. And that's why I was born deaf and later lost my vision.
[Doug]: I see. So going back again, I want to, I don't want to speed too quickly through your childhood. Um, because I know from when we were able to connect the other day, I know that you shared with me that though you were born into an Italian Catholic family and were an alter boy when you were younger and certainly, Catholicism played a large role in your life. I know that at that time, um, you were somewhat, I don't know if skeptical is necessarily the right word, but you, you didn't necessarily have the relationship to God and your faith now that you did then. Can you talk about how things were, prior to really coming into that relationship when you were younger and not quite there yet? Can you talk a little bit more about that?
[Dr. Francis]: This is Dr. Francis. So again, growing up in a Catholic household, I used to watch the priests as they gave their sermons. I looked at what they did on the alter. They really studied it. And I looked at my mom. My mom would often pray for me. You know, I thought maybe, perhaps I want to become a priest myself. I would learn how to become a priest. And I saw how my mom would interact with different other parishioners and their relationships with God. And for me, you know, I was young. I went to Gallaudet and that time I decided that, and I didn't want to be Catholic. I was going to be an atheist. I did not want to be, have anything to do with religion. I was going to be an atheist and a friend of mine in the 1970s in California, explain to me about Jesus Christ and how he saves people and how he heals people. And I was having some difficulty at the time, obviously as with my vision loss. And, and I was thinking that Jesus Christ, you know, I needed a stronger relationship with God. And the vehicle to that was through Jesus Christ. You know, Jesus Christ is essentially the high priest. You know, Judaism, Judaism has their high priest. Jesus Christ is our high priest. And so at that point, I accepted Jesus Christ on July 4th of 1974. And it just resounded through my life. I felt such joy in reading the Bible and really studying it.
[Dr. Francis]: And I learned a lot about religion and not just about religion, but really Christianity. And it really impacted in a change within me. I was struggling, but I was proud and God really helped to save me from my pride. And over time I gradually improved. I focused on self-improvement as much as I could. And that is how I came to be where I am.
[Doug]: So before we continue, just to reminder for those who are watching, if you have any questions throughout this episode, please feel free to type it in the chat box. We'll certainly get to it. And if you'd like to share this, if you're on Facebook, please hit the share button. If you're watching on YouTube, feel free to share the link with anyone who you think might be interested. Um, and so continuing here, so you mentioned kind of the, the moment that things shifted for you around your relationship to, um, God and Christianity. But prior to that, you said you were atheist or kind of identifying as atheist for some period of time. Can you talk about what, what shifted from being a young boy who was an alter boy in an Italian Catholic family to at some point in your young adulthood, identifying as atheist for a period of time.
[Dr. Francis]: This is Dr. Francis. Yes. I've seen lots of changes in myself over my lifetime. I always thought that, you know, I wanted to be able to see again, I was frustrated. I was exhibiting challenges. I would get bumps and scrapes and bruises. I would typically seeing at night I was jealous of others. And, you know, Christianity taught me to not be jealous of other people.
[Dr. Francis]: And when I met my wife, we went to a Christian college in Dallas, Texas called Christian for the Nation Institute. And this place is a famous place for recovering and, and the interpreter. is just going to clarify. And for this place is famous. They have a world renowned program, they have interpreters there, and I was extremely motivated. Lots of people gathered and prayed for the healing of my eyes. And I was just proud at the time. I was still fighting. I was losing more vision and I was just struggling to hold onto my vision. I was saying, I can still do things with my sight. And even though I broke my wrist, I broke several of the things that my body had had injuries. And I changed because after, so graduating from this Institute, I went to the Helen Keller National Center and people said, Oh, you're deafblind. And you're a preacher. And I could just see something, God had a different plan for me. God had a plan and a reason for me being deafblind. And I had resisted that plan until 2001. When I joined the Church of God in Palomar, Colorado. And I was the pastor at a retreat and I was the only deaf person there with an interpreter. And I prayed one evening, I begged the Lord. I begged him for healing, please, Lord heal me and John, at that point, read John chapter nine in the Bible. Verses, several verses. And it said it, asking, the blind man asked Jesus for healing. And it, and it's, was he blind because of his sins? Is that the reason that he was blind? And Jesus said, no, it is not.
[Dr. Francis]: That is all in God's plan. And I realized, God sent me, you know, God sent me for this purpose. And it really impacted me the story that I had read in John. And it was, it made my life. I knew God had a plan designed for me. And I gave up my pride. I gave up what I wanted and I gave it all to the Lord. And I just sobbed. I just felt this enormous change within me. It just opened so many doors. I've, you know, been a part of TV programs. I've done missionary work, I've preached, I've expanded the community. I help them three churches and seeing all these and witness all these things happen. I know you have to think of the board for that. I have to thank the Holy spirit for helping me to understand their plan and going into Helen Keller National Center in 2012. I learned so very much there. Wow.
[Doug]: Well, there's, there's so much in what you just shared. And I certainly, I have a couple specific questions about all, some, a lot of the wonderful things you just shared. But before I mentioned that, I want to say that one of my later questions was going to be, are you, do you know of other deafblind pastors. But I will say that William Eipper, just, um, who's watching on Facebook right now, just messaged that he is a deafblind pastor as well. Um, so I guess that at least partially answers a question that I was going to ask you later, but, but William who's also a deafblind pastor, says hi. Um, and so hello, William, thank you. Thank you for watching today. Um, but to go back to some, to go back to some of what you were just talking about, Dr. Francis, um, and there's so much really beautifully told what, what you were just talking about, but I know that you were talking about the topic of still kind of battling the fact that you were losing your sight and kind of not wanting to, still wanting to find a way to, uh, get your sight back. Um, and then obviously this shift, particularly around the verses that you shared from the Bible that really had that profound effect on you, where you, you much more deeply embraced your deafblindness. But before that moment, before that happened, could you tell us a little bit more about some of the resistance you had initially to accepting yourself as a person who is deafblind?
[Dr. Francis]: This is Dr. Francis. Really for me, it was pride. I thought I can do it. I can beat this. I can still drive a car. I could do all of these things. I can take pictures and photography and all these things that I love to do. And even though I struggled, I wanted to keep doing it. You know, I love the game of baseball and football and I would try to participate and people will be like, you can't do that. There's something wrong with your vision. You can't do it. And I would say, you know, I'd say, no, I can. And I'd stand up there and I'd watch, you know, when I was playing baseball and I'd watch that pitch come in and I'd try to catch it and it would go past me. And then I'd go looking for the ball that was, you know, on the ground behind me. And someone would run up right next to me and say, the ball's right there. And then I'd pick up the ball, I'd throw it on it. And other people would say, yep, better you just, you know, be a bench warmer. And I wanted to play. And it was a fight. It was a constant fight as I grew up. And finally, you know, I gave into our Lord and what his plans for my life were, you know, in, in going to the doctor. And, and when, as a child and finding out about losing my vision, I realized I needed to be careful. And although I wanted to keep doing what I was doing, but really I had to take care of my life. And in spite of all these things that were going on.
[Doug]: So, I'm going to actually go to a question, from one of our viewers and, and certainly, you know, I think this question pertains to the topic you were just discussing as far as once you've, once you really embraced God and, and really, really let that kind of, once that shift happened for you, how it's really served you in your life. But the question comes from Nilam. Hello, thank you for joining us again. She, Nilam is a, a great friend of the Feeling Through community. And she asks, how do you keep faith if you've walked down the children's hospital ward way too many times? How do you find a purpose in God when you've held your child's hand multiple times, not knowing if they will survive?
[Dr. Francis]: This is Dr. Francis. It all just comes down to faith, even though you can't see it, you know it's there. You have to continue. There's this, this line, this threshold that you are, and you just need to keep your eyes forward and you won't fall. You won't fall through. You will stay sturdy. And so you need to pay attention and grow through the Holy spirit, through your connection with that and maintain that face. So you don't fall away from the Lord. During my time, you know, growing up as a Catholic, you know, the priest would come to my house often and we didn't really have this sort of relationship. I didn't have a relationship with God yet. He, the priest actually came for one of my birthday parties and he gave me a gift and, and then left. And after I had eye surgery specifically for cataracts, the priest didn't come and he's, he promised he was going to come to visit me. And he said, Oh, I'm sorry. You know, maybe we can play cards or something. Sometimes it didn't really seem to be a whole lot of discussion. And I struggled with that. But now as I approach others, friends and family, I enjoy talking with others. I enjoy talking about my faith and talking to them about Christ.
[Doug]: So, um, one more, actually, just one more question, about, going back to when you were still trying to hold on to, or regain your eyesight. Um, I know you had mentioned when we'd spoken before about some, some experimental procedures that you did in Russia at this time prior to really accepting yourself as, as a deafblind man. Can you tell me a little bit more about that experience?
[Dr. Francis]: So it was in 1977, my mom found out through an article in the newspaper that Russia had some treatments that would help to be able to improve people with retinitis, pigmentosa, pigmentosa, which is what I had. So we had reached out and made preparations and actually went to Russia. And I was expecting with this, my eyes would be healed. My vision would be healed, but the doctor said, so with the retinitis pigmentosa on the retina, it would be a process to heal it. And we went back several times. In fact, 11 times over the course of six years, we went every six months to Russia. My parents spent bucket loads of money for this, and I saw almost no improvement. Well, we continued to go. At the Christ College, that my wife and I were there, at the Institute, we prayed together and really faith is the key. And I decided to no longer go to Russia. And I changed my life. I accepted, accepted who I am as a deafblind person, that God had a purpose for me, God had a plan and that was through the church. I could see all the things that were happening and that God loves all people, even deaf, blind people. And it was good to know that God had a purpose for me, but that pride, that sense of will. It was difficult to give up, which is why I went to Russia.
[Dr. Francis]: You know, looking at FDA trials here in the U S they don't succeed. And part of that is because God has a plan.
[Doug]: I'm wondering, you know, it was quite a, quite a while ago that you did those procedures that like, as you described, didn't end up, excuse me, that didn't end up, uh, gaining, gaining your eyesight back. Do you know what ever happened with those procedures? Is that something that they still do? Were they found just generally to not be effective? Do you know anything about where those procedures stand today?
[Dr. Francis]: This is Dr. Francis. I don't know. I don't know if those procedures continued or are no longer. I'm not sure.
[Doug]: So moving forward here to when, I want to go now jump back forward to, um, you know, after you really embraced, um, God, and also your identity as, as a man who is deafblind. Um, I understand that you, you've traveled the world, your faith has taken you around the world. Can you tell me about some of your travels, associated with your missionary work? Can you tell me more about that?
[Dr. Francis]: This is Dr. Francis. After graduating from Christ College I did my first missionary work in Japan, in Korea, and I was there for in total a month. My wife interpreted for me, she is familiar with Japanese sign language. Her name is Kimie, she was Japanese. And so we traveled all over and people were like, you are deaf, deafblind person? You can do that? You can do this? I've also been to Honduras for missionary work. I've been there four times and there I helped people and taught them, provided counseling, helped provide training, as, as well as two deaf people there, because they are behind in their education. They're just with their system. I've also been to the Philippines.
[Dr. Francis]: I've been there twice. The first time I helped to found a church. Second time during my second visit, there was a big conference with over 200 people in attendance. And those 200 people were from different countries all over the world. And I did several, preach several sermons there, and people were sobbing during my sermons. And I said, you know, why are you crying? Gosh, you are deafblind? I cannot believe it. You can do anything. You are fantastic. And so inspirational. There were deafblind people there too that were also very inspired by my servants. Back in the seventies or eighties, it was, I'd like to share with you. I really had a lot of thought about going to this Christian College. And a pastor from Missouri came to my church and was doing a sermon. And he was doing a liturgy at the church, and it was part of their deaf program. And he was encouraging deaf people, too. He had a free list, list of resources that he was giving out to people for worship to try and have people become more part of the community. And I was one of those applicants that he gave information to. And when we met, he said, wait a second, you're deafblind? You can't be a pastor. And I was furious. I couldn't believe he said that to me. I was proud of who I was.
[Interpreter]: He's frozen, I have no feed right now. I have no feed.
[Doug]: Oh, sorry. Can we hold one moment? Sorry.
[Interpreter]: This is the interpreter going in and out on my video feed.
[Doug]: Kamila do you have a better feed right now?
[Interpreter]: I do.
[Doug]: Can you pick up?
[Interpreter]: I can just keep going or do you want to stop him?
[Doug]: Oh, no, we can. Yeah, we'll hold for a second and then kind of pick up from where we are. Is that, does that work?
[Interpreter]: Okay.
[Doug]: Okay, great. So yeah, just continue with, with Kamila voicing. And, um, if we can just tell Dr. Francis to kind of just back up a little bit in the story. So actually hold one moment. We actually lost Liz. So the, the room got all reoriented here. So I'm going to need to just take a moment. This here, folks, is good old live broadcasting here. Um, as you can see, the, uh, the room is predicated on, uh, the, uh, zoom room orientation. And if someone drops out, the room kind of gets all a little bit wonky. So if you just bear with us here, uh, we're going to get this resorted in just a moment. It looks like a modern art piece for the time being, until we get things re situated here. So just give us a, just give us a few moments. This is kind of the beauty of live broadcasts here. You get to see all our mistakes as well. So, uh, this keeps us on our toes. Of course. Uh, just give us a couple more moments here. We'll be set. All right. Getting back here. Look at this, ready. So I'm going to be resituated in just a moment, here we go. One at a time. It's a little bit of a slow process, but we'll get there in a moment. Feel free to make fun of me in the comments. That's totally okay. Look, see, look, I'm back. We're gonna, we're gonna get our, we're gonna get our other folks back here in a moment. Just give us just a couple moments here. Alrighty.
[Doug]: Here we go. Look. It's slowly but surely it's becoming a, not so much a modern art display here, but something that resembles what we were doing before. There have been a lot of storms on the East coast. I know. So reception has been a little bit tricky at times. All right. So we have you back up Ilissa, and just, in just a moment, we'll have Dr. Francis back with us here. Hold one moment. Thank you for waiting and bearing with us here. I'm sure this is very interesting to watch, perhaps it is. I don't know. Sometimes the bloopers are one of the most fun parts here, but we're about 30 seconds away from being looking normal again. So bear with us here in the meantime. Uh, this is a good, good opportunity to remind you that feel free to ask any questions you might have. Uh, I know Dr. Francis has been talking about some very interesting stuff, which might spark some questions you have. So feel free to, uh, to join in with any questions. And we're just, just moments away here from being back into a normal orientation. How does this look? How are we doing here? I think we're looking good again. All right. Hello everyone. Welcome back. So, Dr. Francis, sorry for that. We had a little bit of a technical difficulty, but we are back and ready to continue. Continue your story. So if you recall where you were in your story, I'd love for you to pick up from there.
[Dr. Francis]: This is Dr. Francis. I was saying that, um, you know, that preacher had told me that I wasn't able to become a minister myself, which extremely angered me. You know, I had my faith, I was humble. I had been a counselor. I was an intelligent man. I had learned a lot and I wasn't going to give up. I had been through a lot of different challenges through my life, and I had walked down through my faith. So that was really, that had been the key to my success.
[Doug]: So I know that, um, you know, it's interesting that you share that. I know in a lot of the conversations that we've had on Feeling Through Lives, certainly an ongoing topic is, um, the capability of the deafblind community meeting a lot of false assumptions that some people make outside of the community. Um, certainly, you, you have not, you are not only able, very capable of being a deafblind pastor, but have been one for quite some time now. But have you met resistance like that from other people as well throughout your journey as a pastor who is deafblind?
[Dr. Francis]: This is Dr. Francis. Yes. Yes, absolutely.
[Doug]: Certainly there certainly there are a lot of people, like, again, you're talking about a lot of people who might say that you're not suited for or capable of being a pastor because you're deafblind, but with that false assumption aside, can you speak to some of maybe the unique advantages or the unique gifts that you provide as a deafblind pastor, specifically being a deafblind pastor? Does that actually allow for certain things that say a pastor who isn't deafblind wouldn't be able to necessarily do in the way that you can?
[Dr. Francis]: So are you asking in terms of how, my influence on others? Like how I help people? Well, I do educate people about my life as a deafblind individual, and the frustrations that I have had and the challenges that I think in that way, possibly, you know, people who have maybe a similar struggle or had a similar challenge, um, you know, I'm showing them that you can be successful and you can get through those moments in life. Um, but I, I have hosted, uh, workshops as well to teach those very things, how to persevere.
[Doug]: What about for, um, is there any of your congregation that is, where ASL is their primary language? Is that, do you have members of your congregation where that's the case?
[Dr. Francis]: Yes, really have three separate congregations. There's one that is hearing who they use, utilize spoken English for communication. One that is deaf and deafblind. And for that we utilize ASL American sign language, and we also have interpreters for those. So really, um, you know, I try to use what it is that people that need for themselves. I try to meet them where their needs are, and I like to lead by example as well. So when I'm there and I'm praying, I have an interpreter there on stage with me and there's music and, you know, everything's going on. And I walk around with that interpreter. So the interpreter utilizes tactile sign language with and engages the audience. So that's how I, and that's how I preach. And I read it really depend on that tactical feedback. I do, you know, I do turn and I make sure that I am facing the different areas of the congregation so that everyone has access to me. And if, say a congregant were to come up to me and want to talk to me, um, the interpreter lets me know, and we go turn by turn and we communicate tactically via tactile ASL. Sometimes, for an appointment I may be in my office. And in that way we would either communicate tactfully as well, or I would have an interpreter if someone wanted to speak privately and we'll do a one-to-one communication. And if they want it to be private and they didn't want to interpret, or then we would just speak directly with each other using tactal ASL. But there are people who are intimidated by that sense of touch. They're not comfortable with the tactical aspect.
[Dr. Francis]: Yeah. I try to sorta just ease them into that, make them a little more comfortable chat, try to build that rapport. But unfortunately, because of the pandemic currently, the church has been closed. So we've been meeting on Facebook and on YouTube, and I've been utilizing my wife here as an interpreter, and there are individuals, um, on screen, on video as well, use a tap feature. They'll tap my leg to give me some cues. Okay. And that's how we set up that kind of situation. I did a mission in Iowa for a TV program, Silent Blessing. I was able to see pretty well at that time. This was in 2005. So that's actually when they would use that leg tapping as well as tactile signals on my back to give me cues as to where to go to guide me through the environment. I would track along the perimeter of different landmarks in the room as well, because I was starting to lose my vision at that time. And I really felt that it was important, important to really show people through that example, you know, how I was able to overcome.
[Doug]: Speaking of TV shows, I know that part of your life's journey has taken you to being an actor. Can you, can you tell people a little bit more about that?
[Dr. Francis]: Yeah. This is Dr. Francis. Well, I began the acting in high school. I was in a music group, a talent, dance group. And then when I went to Gallaudet University, I actually minored in art and drama and I just loved drama. So over the five years of my time there I was in 10 different productions. I was working, like, the lighting aspect, um, won awards. I worked in design and then I went to California and I continued on with that. I did a production there and it was quite impressing. It was really amazing.
[Dr. Francis]: And then over the years, as I began to lose my vision, I was less and less and less involved with theater. I was also, though, in Silent Blessing. It was for parents of deaf children. It was an organization for parents of deaf children who, to teach them about Christ. And I actually play the role of an Italian chef who was quite boisterous and, you know, would tell stories. And that was the, uh, there were two videos actually. So that was one of two. And that was a TV program on TBN. And it was Dr. Wonders workmanship. And that was on daytime television. It was a small show, but then it became worldwide, but we wanted to promote it more for deaf people. And it was a half hour program and it talked, it taught about character, about respecting and, you know, being truthful and, you know, having that relationship to the Bible. It really connected back to the scripture. And it really taught respect for parents. And so I would be sitting there having a conversation and a girl would tap on my foot under the table. The camera was on me, but then under the table I would get those signals. So I'd be signing. And then when I got that touch signal, I would then gesture to that individual. So I would, I would face that individual and I was able to engage in that way. So I knew, um, when was appropriate turn-taking I was given those tactical cues and I really felt like I was, you know, acting for our Lord Jesus.
[Doug]: Well, you know you kind of just answered my next question. Cause I was going to ask if your, uh, your life as an actor served you in your, in your life as a pastor, but it sounds like there's a very direct overlap in some instances.
[Dr. Francis]: Yes. Yes.
[Doug]: I'm wondering just with, we have about eight or so minutes left. Um, and, and certainly Dr. Francis, if there's anything in particular you want to make sure that we discuss before the conclusion of this episode, please do let me know. Um, but I, I was wondering if you could talk about, if you consider yourself religious or spiritual or both, and kind of what your personal definition is of, of religion versus spirituality.
[Dr. Francis]: This is Dr. Francis. Well, religion is really rituals. You know, gatherings, it's something organized. So it really requires, you know, it's God meeting your needs and having that faith that he has given to you. He's given you that freewill and that's through Jesus Christ. So the spirit has come down on you in religion. There are things that we need to do to earn, to, to actually be considered religious, however, spirituality, you know, that's a relationship you have with God. That's something that's been given to you and Jesus laid on the cross and died for us. So religion actually follows the laws of the church, but the actual love and, and the blessing that's given to us, that's there. And the spirituality there are at times, you know, conflicts between religions, you know, not all religions agree, but your spiritual being is more of who you are. That's something internal, that's, that's the spirit inside of you, that's in your mind and it's God's love. And that power is there for us. And it's really a blessing as well.
[Doug]: We had talked earlier about your journey from growing up, uh, with religion, your own kind of personal wavering of faith, and then coming into really giving into your faith and, and really cultivating that strong relationship to God and your faith. Um, so now, you know, I, as a man, who's been a pastor for many years, certainly been someone of faith for many years, how would you describe your deafblindness now through the lens of where you're sitting at this very moment?
[Dr. Francis]: That's a really difficult question, but, you know, I feel that my deafblindness was really a gift that was given to me by God, because through my experience, you know, I'm able to, the life and the world, we all have to live together. So that's really my gift. I'm not just, you know, someone who sits around and feels pity. You know, I want to teach the world. I want to educate them about, you know, what it's like, you know, in my faith, it doesn't matter if you're Catholic. If you're Jewish, if you're sighted or deaf or blind, regardless of your culture or language, you know, it doesn't matter what culture you come from. You can do, you are capable to be a part of the world and to influence others. You know, a lot of people look down and think that deaf or deafblind individuals are not able to do things. And they feel that it's something that needs to be fixed, but there are deafblind individuals who do things better than people who aren't. So we really can learn from them as an example,
[Doug]: Certainly a beautiful message that you shared and articulated in a really beautiful way. Um, William Eipper, EIPPER. I hope I'm pronouncing that right. Who, uh, who I mentioned earlier, who is a pastor who is deafblind, who's watching as well. He asks, what is your favorite Bible verse?
[Dr. Francis]: My favorite Bible verse is Romans chapter 10, verse 17. And it really, it talks, it talks about listening to the heart. Faith is in the heart and you get the word of God. Everyone can have faith, and that's through the heart. That is where the spirit is. So if you're looking for God, you only need to look within and the spirit will be there. The spirit is in everything. Maybe we can't see it, but it's there and it will guide us. And that's my favorite verse, Romans chapter 10, verse 17.
[Doug]: Well, that's, that's a beautiful way to wrap up. Today's episode is we're coming to, to time before we go. Um, I'd like to mention to all of you watching, if you enjoyed this conversation, um, please let other people know about Feeling Through Live. We do this, live stream every Friday at 11:00 AM Pacific time, 2:00 PM Eastern time. Um, we'll be back again with amazing guests in the future. You can also check out all our old episodes. You can go to our YouTube channel, youtube.com/feelingthrough. We have all of our old episodes. There are previous episodes there. Um, and if you haven't already please subscribe. And also if you click the little bell, the notification bell next to the subscribe button, you can also get notified when we go live so that you can tune in for all of these. And if you're watching on Facebook, we, we'll continue to post information about future episodes there, facebook.com/feelingthrough, we also have the, the previous episodes up on our Facebook page as well.
[Doug]: And a reminder, um, if you haven't already, or if you want to join us again, because each experience is completely different, we'll be doing The Feeling Through Experience live stream on August 13th. Uh, and that will be, you'll be able to sign up for your free ticket at YouTube. Oh, it looks like we might've lost our interpreter. Oh, here we are. Okay. Froze for a second. Are you back with us Ilissa? Great. Um, we, I know that the East coast has been dealing with a lot of, uh, storms and, and such. So if it's getting, we, we fortunately didn't get too choppy until the very end here, but, um, but yeah, we, please, for your free ticket to The Feeling Through Experience, just go to a feelingthrough.com/register, and really that's a really a, one of a kind event. We'll have hundreds of people from throughout the country and around the world, join us for that, for this three part event, that includes the first film, starring a deafblind actor, a supporting documentary and a panel discussion and Q&A with some amazing guests there. So I highly encourage you to sign up for that. Again, feelingthrough.com/register. And finally, I would like to thank you, Dr. Francis for joining us today. Really such an amazing journey you've had and your ability to share it. I'm sure is really resonated with a lot of people watching. So thank you so much for joining us today. I think we just got a little, Oh, she froze again. Yeah. Okay. There we go. Ilissa, could you just let Dr., okay. It looks like we're perhaps getting just at the end of this, we're getting very a spotty, but in that case, I'm going to, I'm going to sign off here. Uh, thank you for watching. Thank you, Dr. Francis, and we'll see you next week. Uh, Friday, same time, same place.
[Dr. Francis]: And Dr. Francis is saying, thank you so much. Bless you all love you all. God bless you. Bye everyone.