Do you ever throw yourself a pity party? You know, one of those parties where you’re the only one who shows up? When you’re all by yourself, down in the dumps, knowing absolutely no one can possibly relate to your life situation? I had a day like that last Sunday. Feeling sorry for myself is easy on gloomy days when I can’t get to church for the 5th week in a row because my son Joel, who has … [Read more...]
Where to Find God When God is Silent
In our family's journey with autism, there have been times when God has shown up in a big way: A miraculous provision. A tender word from a stranger that so perfectly comforted a stressful day. A breakthrough for Alec that we did not expect. These are the "walking on the water" days, when God's presence is so palpable that I am humbled to silence. On days like that, I know beyond a shadow of … [Read more...]
What It Means To Be Independent
"She's never going to be independent." That's the fear I have, more often than I'd like, about my oldest daughter. Mostly it occurs to me when she's some combination of PMS/Bipolar and we have mornings like we did yesterday. Mornings when she's alternately weeping and giggling---in one breath accusing me of hating her and, in the next, begging me for pancakes. Here's what independent means … [Read more...]
The Power in the Name of Jesus
Being a special needs parent is like climbing a great mountain. Let's face it, sometimes it's downright overwhelming. When the journey begins—and you received that unexpected diagnosis—you suddenly find yourself at the base of a great mountain. The scale of this mountain is enormous and the trail that leads to the summit is rocky at best. Standing at its base looking upward, thoughts of … [Read more...]
Special needs school of life – just keep going
Special needs school of life - just keep going A few Saturdays ago, my husband Sergei and I took Polly and Evangeline, our two daughters with special needs (Polly has Down syndrome and Moyamoya, Evie has autism and Down syndrome) to play soccer in an AYSO program built for families affected by disability in Chicago. A friend from the girls' school told us about it. "Just sign up. It's great. It … [Read more...]
Are We There Yet?
As soon as I entered the room I knew something was wrong. All eyes around the conference table turned to me as the principal asked, “Mrs. Anderson, where have you been? Our meeting was supposed to have started half an hour ago.” I was dumbfounded. Really? 30 minutes? Because I had been waiting for them the past half hour in the front office! (All the while, a very confused secretary had … [Read more...]