Caregiving, Special Needs Parenting
Stephanie McKeever
Finding Thankfulness in Disability

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.

Finding Thankfulness in Disability
Caregiving, Challenges, Living Life Daily, Love, Special Needs Parenting
Cindi Ferrini
Counting the Cost

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.

Counting the Cost
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

Living Life Daily

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Interruptions, Privacy, and Time Alone

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Interruptions, Privacy, and Time Alone

As a “child forever,” we realize that our adult son isn’t going to consider us in his day to day living. He isn’t going to think, “Oh, Mom and Dad could use a little time together.” To keep from being frustrated, we have found a few things helpful.

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When Pain and Joy Intersect

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When Pain and Joy Intersect

My son’s birth was filled with happiness, but the previous 48 hours were complete stress. Shortly after my daughter’s stressful birth, my husband turned another year older. Here’s what we have chosen to do when pain and joy have intersected in our parenting life.

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My Autistic Son Went Away To Camp. Here's What I Learned.

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My Autistic Son Went Away To Camp. Here's What I Learned.

My son recently had an experience that was new for him, but also new for me as a parent. He went to an overnight camp for three weeks. Truthfully, this was something I would have never considered for my son, mostly because he is severely autistic. He wasn’t the only one who grew from this experience. Here are three things I learned.

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My Back-to-School List

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My Back-to-School List

The first day of school for my children is marked on our August calendar. Back to school means I have several preparations to make. While the children need many physical supplies, I need to pray about and look to God to help me with the things I need.

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I Need a Vacation from Vacation!

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I Need a Vacation from Vacation!

The aftermath of being gone for a long vacation was substantial. But as I reflected upon the dear friends and familiar places we visited, my perception of my present situation was changed.