I found an article in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, Disability, spiritual beliefs and the church: the experiences of adults with disabilities and family members (December 2002, Vol. 40 Issue 5, pp. 594-603) which sounds promising:
Findings. Trial or difficulty contributed to spiritual challenge, the breaking of self, reliance on God, and strengthened faith in God. The participants chose to live with thankfulness and joy despite difficulties common to experience with disability. The participants’ spiritual beliefs stabilized their lives, providing meaning for the experience of disability, assistance with coping and other benefits. The participants’ recommendations include increased assistance by the church in promoting theological understanding of disability, and religious support using a continuing model of caring.
Recommendations include promoting theological understanding of disability? From the Journal of Advanced Nursing? I’ll definitely read this one and report back.
The Works of God 
[…] Treloar, writer of the the article, Disability, spiritual beliefs and the church: the experiences of adults with disabilities and fami…, presents a refreshingly positive view of Christian belief with some findings that pastors should […]