Last night my dear friend Alysia called to talk. As a youth group leader I mentored Alysia throughout her middle and high school years. In college, she joined our leadership team. During those years I was raising three sons. Joel, our youngest, was diagnosed with autism on that journey. After graduating with a nursing degree Alysia married and had seven children. She and her husband are … [Read more...]
The Power of a Smile Can Change the Conversation
Communication. It’s a skill few of us are very good at. The written or spoken word is often far too simplistic to help us say what we really mean. And yet, effective communication lies at the heart of all relationships. The conversations we have with each other, whether face-to-face, online, or by text message are an integral part of our daily lives and, indeed, what most of us take for granted. … [Read more...]
Inclusion, Is It Meaningful?
When Charlie my son, who is diagnosed with autism, was newly diagnosed I searched the Internet, books, anything I could get my hands on to learn what this “autism” was. I wanted to tackle this head on. I realized early on it didn’t matter about the label, it mattered more what my son’s struggles were and how I was going to help him. So first, I learned more about my son’s things that he was doing … [Read more...]
She Calls Me Mama
She calls me what her brothers don’t. Because they are boys, most likely, or perhaps because they are impatient and "MOM!" hollered from somewhere else is easier to get out of their mouths. Loudly. Grace is walking up the stairs, calling my name before she reaches the top. But it’s not the “Mom!” of Noah’s tween insistence. It’s her calling, “Mama?” It is sweet and gentle. And it lasts only … [Read more...]
Who I Want To Be …
When you were a child who did you want to be when you grew up? A princess? A fireman? An ice skater? The President? We tell our kids to dream big. They can become whatever they want. I've always encouraged my kids to be doctors, lawyers or The President. But I am done with that. Who I want to be when I grow up ... I want to be Evan. This world is filled with greedy liars, cheaters, … [Read more...]
Prepare The Way
Some of us become parents by chance. Some become parents by choice. But no one I know chooses to become parents of a child with a disability. When that choice was made for us 23 years ago, our world instantly changed. There was no preparation, no training, no idea that anything other than a normal, healthy fetus was developing. From the moment Ben arrived, we were continuously given a laundry … [Read more...]