There were young kids, teens, young adults, even his best friend, all playing together, learning and laughing. But, there was no sign of my child. I searching the parking lot where everyone was talking and hanging out with their families; not there either. Here is where most people panic. But, deep down I knew; look with the younger kids. It was there I found him, rolling down the hill, filled with that bold childhood laughter, having the time of his life. No pressure here. No one asking him to make quick decisions he had to worry about in that football game. There was only freedom and joy. I want him to be something he isn’t sometimes, but I’m learning to start finding the thankful in disability.
Caregiving, Challenges, Living Life Daily, Love, Special Needs Parenting
How many of us counted the cost (both emotionally and financially) of what it would take to raise a child and/or care for an aging parent? Many are doing both…Because we love our child, we don’t often consider the cost because we simply do what is needed and want the best for them.
Caregiving, Challenges, Down Syndrome, Special Needs Parenting
My daughter arrived in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the middle of the night on the eve of Thanksgiving. A tough respiratory virus attacked her lungs, and she needed a substantial amount of oxygen support. And now, this unexpected illness meant Thanksgiving was going to be completely different than we had all planned.
Challenges, Hope, Scripture, Special Needs Parenting
Are you scrounging for thankfulness this holiday season? Holidays can be a challenge for those walking through hard days. Perhaps you feel like you've been handed the short-end of the stick; your child is struggling, you’re exhausted and it seems like everybody else has life with a bit more gravy. It’s easy to focus on our circumstances, take stock of what we have and where we are and end up feeling completely void of thankfulness. Is there a cure for this?
Autism, Caregiving, Challenges, Hope, Special Needs Parenting, Spiritual Growth
I first suspected I had ADHD as a teenager, but finding the right professional to take me seriously was much harder than I expected. Previous attempts only ended in frustration and tears.
In today’s post, John Felageller shares the story of his son’s service dog Damon, and how what John initially viewed extra work for him and his family turned out to be a true gift for belonging and support.
Sometimes we get caught up in the realities of caregiving for our children, and if we are not careful, we can only see the temporary and miss the eternal.
As Paul received comfort from the promise of heaven, the power of Scripture, and his purpose on earth, he was able to pass that comfort on to the readers in Philippi and to us.
Christmas break can feel like a hurricane of activity and stress. I don’t want to break this Christmas season, so I will remember the palm tree and be flexible when the hurricane is gusting around me.
When schools around the country returned to their normal schedules and in-person learning this fall, the normalcy that existed prior to the COVID pandemic did not return with it. But we are reminded in these times and experiences that he love of God still comes through, despite new barriers.