Years ago, as an undergraduate communications major, I remember learning about Albert Mehrabian’s 7-38-55 Communication Model. I was shocked to discover that the words we use contribute a meager 7% to the messages we communicate. Our tone of voice conveys 38%, while our body language carries the most weight—55%.

The further we navigate into the beautiful world of disability, the more we learn to pay attention, the more we learn to see, and the more we learn to hear. Wheelchairs, medical strollers, and assistive tech devices are becoming invitations to learning and listening rather than limitations.

Participating with Hope Heals Camp for individuals and families walking the path of disability has graciously accelerated our family’s learning and listening posture. Charlie was a 12-year-old camper we served this summer whose body language spoke what his heart felt. After a few hours with Charlie, I learned about his “happy hands”. Every time a camp golf cart drove by, or bacon was served for breakfast, Charlie’s waiving hands let me know his heart was happy! Conversely, a concerned expression accompanied by a static moan also let me know he needed a change of pace or a stroll outside to search for another golf cart.

About halfway through camp

…during a music activity, the song God’s Not Dead performed by Newsboys came on. Charlie was sitting in his stroller in a circle with other campers nonchalantly eating his goldfish until the chorus. Suddenly, he dropped his snack and his “happy hands” shot into the air! His hands—and heart—started dancing to the words “God’s not dead, He’s surely alive. He’s living on the inside!” Tears welled up in my eyes as I witnessed this beautiful expression of a heart being known and being loved.

I caught the camp photographer’s eye, and she snapped a picture of Charlie’s offering of praise to his Creator—who was unmistakably living on the inside! In that moment, words seemed enormously underrated. Charlie was proclaiming his message more clearly with his happy hands than most verbal expressions I’d witnessed!

Although words are special and important, we’re learning that the nonverbal messages inside the beautiful hearts of some of our friends with disabilities are invaluable to our world. I’m grateful that Charlie and others quietly illustrate the accuracy of Mehrabian’s model. The beauty of communication stretches far beyond words.

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