This Sunday, Christian families will take their children to an Easter worship service. Many families will be traveling with plans to visit a church home that is not their own. Other families struggle to find a place where their special needs children are welcomed. Visiting an unfamiliar church, particularly on a holiday, can put a family dealing with autism over the edge. That's why I'm … [Read more...]
“If you’d just try. . .” {And other comments that make us want to scream}
With 4 kids under 12 years old, who have companion terms like foster/adopt, bipolar, RAD, ODD, SPD, ADHD and GAD, we learned pretty early on that I’d need help around the house. Enter my sweet, committed house cleaner, Clara (not her real name). Every two weeks, we get ready for Clara’s team to deep clean our place. On top of the usual daily cleaning of dishes, washing soiled … [Read more...]
Letting Go
Chelsea and Charlie in 2005 Philipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Chelsea came in the room, “Mom look I got another college theatre scholarship!” I was so excited for her and very proud. She is 6 years older than her brother Charlie who has autism. She was about 9 when we got the diagnosis. She didn’t really understand at the time. Even when he wasn’t talking and … [Read more...]
One Day at a Time
2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. One Day at a Time. Say it again. One Day at a Time. Say it slower. One- Day- at- a -Time. I think we all need to be reminded of this. As parents of children with unique needs our lives are filled with so … [Read more...]
Extraordinary Living Right Here, Right Now
Most of us dream of making a difference in this world. We want to leave our mark, maybe run a company, hold a political office or have a recognizable name. Then reality hits and life gets hard. When you are the parent or caregiver of someone with a special need, days are filled with responsibilities: visits to therapists, educational meetings and attending to our loved one. It's overwhelming … [Read more...]
From Lonely To Living Again
“I feel so lonely”… my son just told me yesterday on the way home from school. He is currently 15 … AND A HALF (I am told to mention). From birth, I knew something wasn’t "right." He was diagnosed at 18 months with severe asthma and allergies, digestive complications, developmental delay, and immune system abnormalities. We almost lost him more than once. Then at three, Jon was diagnosed with … [Read more...]