If you believe in a god, and you believe that he is an all-knowing, all-encompassing, omnipotent deity, then yes, whether actively or passively(even though that doesn't make any sense), he made, or allowed them to be made that way. Don't get annoyed simply because I call out the fact that such ideology's should play by their own rules. Let me quote Epicurus:
"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is impotent.Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil?"
I wasn't actually trying to get into a theological debate as they are pointless, everyone will decide for themselves what they choose to believe in, just making light of the "well god put that disabled person there so you could feel good about you" sentiments. Again, don't take it so seriously, I certainly can understand that being in said situation could be very moving, and make one appreciate the things ones does have, when compared to someone who has problems that most of us can't fathom.
The next logical line of reasoning(for myself anyway) would be to try and figure out why good/bad things do in fact happen, outside of divine designation/intervention. In my eyes it's simply because we as people are imperfect, high-level functioning mammals. Also as we delve deeper into gene-therapy, stem-cell research, even singularity events, we learn that most disabilities should be eradicated within a certain time period. So we'll be able to accomplish what god could or would not.
If you want to say that I'm ignorant because I deny the existence of a "loving" god, who "loves" you more than anything else(even shuffleboard), yet would allow terrible things to happen to you, due to the "bigger picture", then as you said, that's your point of view. I would ask you what is not ignorant about insulting someone who does not believe in the same unproven idea as you ? Because I consider myself relatively well-educated, especially in regards to religious ideology/philosophy/conundrums/, and whatnot.
What happened to your brother was terrible, and I was sorry to read it. His service is much appreciated by myself, and many, many on this board.