A Working Model of Health

Abstract The author describes a model of health that incorporates the spiritual dimension of life, and articulates the relevancy of this model to those with disabilities. The model includes sociocultural, psychological, physical and spiritual aspects of life, around a central inte-grative core. The article enumerates some of the challenges faced by those with disabilities and contrasts the predominantly secular approach to life with examples of an approach which takes into account the spiritual dimension. Some spiritual and religious resources that may help meet these challenges, and help to integrate the life of the disabled person into a meaningful whole are described.