Next week (January 22) is National Sanctity of Human Life Day, which happens to fall on the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the monumental supreme court case legalizing abortion. For some Christians this is just a week set aside on the calendar when the church recognizes the atrocity of abortion. The pastor preaches from Psalm 139 while citing a myriad of numbers and statistics. The congregation … [Read more...]
Light in the Darkness of Special Needs
Our son was six months old on his first Christmas. By then he'd racked up one ambulance ride, two surgeries, three hospital stays, three airplane trips (two of them life flights to the University of Nebraska Hospital and one airline flight to a scheduled doctor's appointment at the same medical facility), and dozens of 240 mile round trips to Rapid City for doctor's appointments and … [Read more...]
One New Habit That has Entirely Changed My Life
I've added one small habit to my day that has entirely changed my life. Seriously. No, it isn't jumping out of bed to do the latest 5 minute exercise fad. It isn't chugging down a veggie-packed juice recipe or learning to use the latest productivity app. Amazingly, it's so easy that I am asking myself why I didn't start doing this simple thing long ago. But how can one small thing—something … [Read more...]
I Wish You Could See What I See
It's no secret my girls have special needs. You can easily see the facial characteristics of Down syndrome, or the walker, wheelchair, and poor gait that points to cerebral palsy. Delays, poor speech, clumsy steps. I know you see the behaviors, I know you hear the labored words, I know you notice the differences, and I know you are grateful this is not your child. I don't blame you. I understand. … [Read more...]
Saying Thanks to Mike!
Last year, Mike had a vision for a site that would minister to special-needs families. He put together a team of the best writers in the special-needs field, those who already had books and ministries that were accomplishing the goals he had for his website. He built an online home, filled it with knowledge and encouragement, powered it with prayer, and opened the doors inviting all of you … [Read more...]
Is Happy Marriage Possible For Parents of Special Needs?
I have this guy living in my house. This tall, witty, occasionally infuriating guy, whose across-the-room smile can still make me blush, 15 years after "I do." Only problem is it's way too easy as a parent of kids with special needs to simply not look across the room. Do I know my husband is my primary relationship? That he's the only one who's still going to be sitting across from me when the … [Read more...]