Every time my cell rings and I notice the call comes from school, there is part of me that wants to jump into panic mode. Did my daughter with cerebral palsy get hurt? Did my daughter with Down syndrome- who is a runner – get lost? Should I be getting in the car and start driving while I answer the call? The reality is, most of the time our calls go like this: “Mrs. Stumbo, just calling to … [Read more...]
How I Respond When Someone Says, “I don’t know how you do it!
"I don't know how you do it." Special needs parents, raise your hand if this a sentiment you hear often. I hear it a lot. And I attempt a charming joke, "Not very well, that's how I do it." Small, calculated chuckles abound for five seconds making my conversation partner and I both feel good. But then the laughter dies, and I look away. I don't think the other person believes me when … [Read more...]
I don’t know how you do it
"I don't know how you do it." Special needs parents, raise your hand if this a sentiment you hear often. I hear it a lot. And I attempt a charming joke, "Not very well, that's how I do it." Small, calculated chuckles abound for five seconds making my conversation partner and I both feel good. But then the laughter dies, and I look away. I don't think the other person believes me when … [Read more...]
Affirmation Junkie
"Hello. My name is Steph Hubach. And I'm an Affirmation Junkie." How do I know this about myself? Well, I recognize this because it is far too easy for me to take the words of others to heart—not in the sense of being reflective—but in the sense of allowing them to mold my identity: positively and negatively. In Gary Chapman's book, The Five Love Languages, he talks about the different ways … [Read more...]
Daily Bread: parenting kids with special needs
Daily Bread: parenting kids with special needs "How do you deal with the possibility that you could be a 'forever mom,' that is, that Polly and Evangeline may never leave home?" a young mom asks me after I finish sharing our family's story with her MOPS group. I get this question often. It makes sense. I have children with special needs. We are unsure of the future. Will they live on their own … [Read more...]
Run To Jesus
On a recent trip to the beautiful Southern USA, we passed through Savannah, Georgia. This was our first time to this beautiful city, but our time was short, so we decided to take a trolley tour of the city. We boarded the vintage looking trolley and enjoyed seeing the many squares and historical sites this city holds. One stop on our tour was Forrest Gump’s bench where he sat with his box of … [Read more...]