Challenges, Hope, Scripture, Special Needs Parenting
Kara Dedert
When Thankfulness Seems Impossible

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? 

When Thankfulness Seems Impossible
Autism, Caregiving, Challenges, Hope, Special Needs Parenting, Spiritual Growth
Sunita Theiss
Discovering What God Already Knew About Me, ...

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.

Discovering What God Already Knew About Me, Through My Children’s Diagnosis
Caregiving, Challenges, Living Life Daily
Jolene Philo
Enjoying the Holidays with a Food Allergy

Enjoying the holidays with a food allergy sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it? After all, eating together is an integral component of the holiday season. I looked forward to making our traditional holiday foods until I was diagnosed with a dairy allergy in 2012. What was to enjoy about the holidays when the foods associated with it were off limits to me?

Enjoying the Holidays with a Food Allergy
Caregiving, Challenges, Grief, Hope, Special Needs Parenting
John Fela (Felageller)
A New Home

It was a short, ten-minute drive from the hotel to the residential facility. I maintained composure while I navigated the busy public roads, and then residential streets. I had a whole range of emotions racing through my body, mind and spirit as we pulled into the campus. This was not just a pleasure drive or a routine errand, this was a significant milestone in the life of my son and our family.

A New Home
Autism, Caregiving, Challenges, Special Needs Parenting
Mark Arnold
Halloween & Special Needs: How to Make it ...

While Halloween is a fun time of year for many children, it can be a really difficult time for some, including many children with additional/special needs. For them it can be a confusing, anxiety-inducing, or even utterly terrifying time. But it doesn’t have to be like that. If we stop for a moment to think about the things they might find hard and how to put things in place to help them, children with special needs can safely join in the fun, too. So what are some of the things about Halloween that children with additional needs can find hard?

Halloween & Special Needs: How to Make it Fun for Every Child

Caregiving

, , , , ,

What to do Even When We Don’t Want To

, , , , ,
What to do Even When We Don’t Want To

Watching the news and seeing trials and challenges on many levels we’ve come to understand that until “it” happens to us, it’s often not important. People in leadership (politicians, leaders making rules, business owners running businesses, and parents raising children) will all make decisions that affect others but until it affects them….it won’t always be seen as important or necessary to consider other options of how to engage, care, or help. Cindi Ferrini writes on what do even when we don’t want to…

, , , , , ,

A Checklist for Building A Resilient Faith

, , , , , ,
A Checklist for Building A Resilient Faith

Resilience is defined as the ability to withstand or recover quickly from a difficult situation. To have a resilient faith we need to build into our spiritual lives the actions needed to recover from the hurts, the pain and the relentless suffering that dealing with disability brings. By keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus we will be able to withstand the challenges that we face. Mary Underwood shares about having resilient faith for special needs parents.

, , , , , , ,

Activating Adulthood

, , , , , , ,
Activating Adulthood

Age 18 seemed so far away for so long for my firstborn. Yet, a few months ago my daughter blew out 18 candles on her birthday cake. The banner behind her declared her 18th birthday as well, in case I needed another reminder. This birthday marked her change from childhood to adulthood.

, , , , , ,

5 Tips for Communicating with Your Church About Accessibility

, , , , , ,
5 Tips for Communicating with Your Church About Accessibility

“As I connect with Christian families impacted by disabilities, I’ve heard the same stories repeated over and over again. Stories of hurt and frustration over words spoken and looks given within the walls of our churches. Stories of the desire to be a part of a church family, but seeing hurdles that just seem too big to overcome.” Cortney Jenkins gives five tips to talk to your church about accessibility.

, , , , , ,

Moms: When Do We Get to Celebrate?

, , , , , ,
Moms: When Do We Get to Celebrate?

Moms: When Do We Get to Celebrate? Celebration for moms is scheduled in May; but I’m wondering when does it really happen? Cindi Ferrini writes about Mother’s Day and how to celebrate moms to kids with special needs.