I was twenty-five years old when I became a mom, and my world changed forever. Like all new parents, I suddenly realized the needs of our small bundle of sweetness would rule my heart and my days for years to come. Unlike most new parents, my husband and I soon had to surrender our son to the cadre of surgeons, doctors, and nurses in a distant city who could save his life. Before we could kiss him … [Read more...]
Shouting PTSD Awareness from the Mountaintop
In the small midwestern town where I grew up during the 1960s, the words cancer, pregnant, divorce, sex, and mental illness were always spoken in whispers, accompanied by dark looks, furtive glances, and the covering of children's ears. Yes, I am that old. So much has changed since those days–some for the good and some for the bad. But this post isn't about what has changed. It's about what … [Read more...]
Becoming a Wounded Healer
“Nobody escapes being wounded. We all are wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The main question is not “How can we hide our wounds?” so we don’t have to be embarrassed, but “How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?” When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.” Henri … [Read more...]
Trusting In God In the Midst of Trial
Stephen was stoned to death. He trusted in God completely, even as he was being falsely accused, he trusted in God and he still lost his life. My husband preached about Stephen on Sunday and I kept thinking about our own family, our own trials, our own suffering, how disability impacts us and how often I cry out to God to help me, to help our family. Trusting in God in the midst of trial … [Read more...]
Weekend Links: Vol. 14
Faith Church posted this beautiful video of a special needs community reciting Psalm 139. Snappin' Ministries posted about the gift of a unique opportunity to love well. Need some encouragement today in the midst of some of the challenges in the special needs journey? The Huffington Post picked up one of Ellen Stumbo's posts, and it's sure to encourage. Has your family experienced … [Read more...]
When Your Life Is Too Uncomfortable For Others…
The last few months my son has really been struggling. He's dealing with multiple issues that he has had since he was young...and short of divine intervention, this will not be the last time that he deals with these issues, I am sure. Like many of your children, he has co-morbid conditions and multiple diagnosis'...some of them are more accepted than others. He has autism and that is something … [Read more...]