Caregiving, Challenges, Down Syndrome, Special Needs Parenting
Evana Sandusky
For When You Don’t Feel Thankful

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.

For When You Don’t Feel Thankful
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

Hope

, , , ,

The Transforming Power of Kindness

, , , ,
The Transforming Power of Kindness

The kindness that changed the trajectory of my life began when a mom took the time to share her story. One day, God will open doors for you to show kindness to hurting moms, too.

, , ,

God's Answer to Mum Guilt

, , ,
God's Answer to Mum Guilt

There’s always something we can feel guilty about as a Mum. The world around me can make me feel I ought to be and need to be super-Mum. But in the midst of the mundane, God is for me, encouraging me on, loving the very best out of me.

, , ,

The Escape Plan

, , ,

Getting away for coffee or a trip out of town for a weekend for those of us caring for someone with special needs is really a luxury. So, when my (Cindi’s) sister and our two daughters and sons-in-law offered to tag team care for Joey, we booked a trip almost on the spot. We made a plan for our escape! Here’s how we made the trip great for us and for Joey.

, , , ,

Finding Community as a Special Needs Parent

, , , ,
Finding Community as a Special Needs Parent

In a Bible story, four men experienced a similar trial, but they weren’t alone. They could each relate to the physical, emotional and spiritual pain the others were experiencing; they found each other for support. They understood each other better than anyone else could.

, ,

Three Strategies to Wait with Hope, Instead of Defeat

, ,
Three Strategies to Wait with Hope, Instead of Defeat

Whether it’s being delayed on the roads, waiting to see a love one who lives far away or anticipating a fun vacation, being patient sure can be tough. Cooling our jets when it involves an illness, diagnosis or surgery for ourselves or a loved one can amp up the anxiety and feelings of defeat even more. Recently, my friends Ed and Jan showed me through their example how to wait with hope.