Special Needs Parenting

Finding Faith And Friendship On The Special Needs Journey

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Special needs adoption … four years in

September 4, 2013 by Gillian Marchenko 9 Comments

Special needs adoption   "Ma ma ma ma ma," I place my palm flat against my face and pat my lips, take my daughter Evangeline's soft, doughy hand in mine, and do it with her. "Ma ma ma ma ma." She likes it. So I do it again. Evangeline is non-verbal, but she will mumble sounds from time to time. I yearn to hear her say "ma." We lie in her bed at dusk, the sun fighting its setting, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Down Syndrome, Gillian Marchenko Tagged With: autism, Down syndrome adoption, Gillian Marchenko, not alone, parenting a child with special needs, special needs, special needs adoption, Special Needs parents

A special needs mom’s response to seeing it in writing

August 7, 2013 by Gillian Marchenko 5 Comments

A special needs mom's response to seeing it in writing Yesterday I took my six-year-old daughter Evangeline to the dentist and came home sad. It was a new practice, so I had to fill out Evie's medical history. The beginning was easy: Name: Evangeline Marchenko Doctor's name, address, and phone number, immunizations up to date, reason for the appointment. Standard questions. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Down Syndrome, Gillian Marchenko, Uncategorized Tagged With: Gillian Marchenko, parenting a child with special needs, parenting special needs, special needs, special needs medical concerns

Go with the strength you have …

July 3, 2013 by Gillian Marchenko 11 Comments

Go with the strength you have ... It's happening again ... That horrible feeling that comes and goes as a special needs parent. Am I failing my kids? Should I be doing more? Could someone else parent my child better? I'm starting to feel like a failure. I just don't think I have enough strength for this parenting gig today. And then I remember I am reminded of a lesson God taught me through … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Down Syndrome, Gillian Marchenko Tagged With: christian parenting, Encouragement, Gillian Marchenko, not alone, parenting a child with special needs, parenting special needs, Special Needs parents

‘This belongs to’ … realizing who our special needs kids really belong to in a hospital cafeteria

June 5, 2013 by Gillian Marchenko 6 Comments

'This belongs to' ... realizing who our special needs kids really belong to in a hospital cafeteria I sit in the hospital cafeteria, a half-eaten chicken sandwich and a bottle of water is positioned in front of me on the plastic tray that reminds me of grade school. My foot taps. A loud metronome sounds in my head. Tick, tick, tick, tick. I scoop up another bite of chocolate pudding with whipped … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Down Syndrome, Gillian Marchenko, Uncategorized Tagged With: Down syndrome, Gillian Marchenko, not alone, special needs, special needs parenting, Special Needs parents, support

To the New Mother of a Baby with Down syndrome

May 1, 2013 by Gillian Marchenko 8 Comments

To the new mother of a baby with Down syndrome Meeting Her I remember the feeling. That first meeting with another family farther along the path of Down syndrome after the birth of our child with the same diagnosis. I remember fear and fascination. Fear of the child four or five years old who's eyes mirrored my baby's. She shouldn't have looked like him. I birthed her. She should have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Adoption, Down Syndrome, Gillian Marchenko, Posts By Writers, Uncategorized Tagged With: adoption, Down syndrome, Gillian Marchenko, not alone, special needs, special needs parenting

Tomorrow’s a ‘no’ day, a needed reminder in parenting kids with special needs

April 3, 2013 by Gillian Marchenko 21 Comments

Tomorrow's a 'no' day, a needed reminder in parenting kids with special needs Our daughter Polly will turn seven years old Friday. She is fully included in the first grade of our neighborhood school, and is making expected progress according to her Individualized Education Plan formed by a team of teachers, therapists, and her parents because of her diagnosis of Down syndrome. Polly is thriving … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Down Syndrome, Gillian Marchenko, Uncategorized Tagged With: Down syndrome, Gillian Marchenko, not alone, parenting special needs, special needs parenting guilt, Special Needs parents, special needs support

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