Most of us face some kind of crisis in our lifetimes. Families affected by disability encounter situations that could be considered – catastrophes, dilemmas, disasters, emergencies, or troublesome – often and sometimes daily, at least during some seasons. As we go through the crisis, we may feel a whole range of emotions. We may feel anxious, guilty, angry, afraid, confused, hopeless, vulnerable, and maybe even helpless. Join us as we discuss what we can do during these stressful situations. If this Podcast has been helpful to you, we invite you to check out more Podcasts and our Blogs on our […]
First of all, as we take a look at dysregulation in our children, let us remember that no two children are alike – that includes children who have been given a diagnosis of any sort and those who have not. We are all individuals and very unique. However, what we love about parent discussions is that the sharing of personal experiences becomes helpful to other parents. Parents feel validated, empowered, encouraged, and filled up enough to spread the wealth of ideas with other parents. For this very reason, we do our best to provide opportunities for parents/caregivers to meet up […]
Six Tips to Help Your Respite Event Go Well I have recently been given the privilege to come on staff with our church to work alongside our Director of Special Needs Ministry. Since we arrived in Lynchburg in 2014, Tom, Amy, and I have been volunteering in various capacities in this ministry and have had great opportunities to get to know parents and kids whose families are affected by disabilities. Now, I get to serve in an official capacity. Just recently, I participated in a Parents Night Out respite event for our families. I want to share what I witnessed […]
For the last four years, we have spent a significant amount of time meeting with and collaborating with leaders all over the country who are passionate about keeping disability ministry on many levels moving and growing and about supporting those along the way who want to participate in the movement. We are very optimistic. We see many ministry leaders’ mindsets changing and gaining a better understanding of people with disabilities and their role in the church. We are hopeful because we are also observing that more of God’s people at large are intentionally enfolding our friends with disabilities in church […]
What are you afraid of as a caregiver to a loved one with a disability? Recently, we had a discussion with a group of parents over this very question. Some of the fears that were stated were: These are gut-wrenching, long-term, and overwhelming fears. We are sure that you have these kinds of fears and others, too. Like you, these parents want the absolute best for their children – whether those children are still small or are teens or are adults. We are all looking out into a near-future and further-out future for our children and realize that we truly […]
Today on the podcast we are talking about perseverance – pushing through those hard times. We all have them. Recently we asked some folks in our local support group and in our Champions4Parents Facebook Community group four questions about how they persevere when it’s tough and what encourages them. Whether you are a parent, another type of caregiver, or you work with children or adults with disabilities in the church setting, this podcast is for you. Tune in for inspiration and encouragement. If this Podcast shows itself helpful to you, we invite you to check out more Podcasts and our […]
Today on the podcast we are talking about creating environments where those with disabilities can push through discouragement, grow, shine, and bring to the world what they were intended to bring. Whether you are a parent, another type of caregiver, or you work with someone with disability in the church setting, this podcast is for you. Tune in as we take a different route. Instead of approaching this from the disability itself, let’s start with all of the ABILITIES. Let’s reframe. If this Podcast shows itself helpful to you, we invite you to check out more Podcasts and our Blogs […]
One day we were speaking at a conference for children’s ministry leaders about what may be happening inside the child who is constantly moving. We recommended that the ministry leaders consider keeping some fidget toys on hand. We picked up a squishy ball to show as an example. A man in the front row asked if he could hold it for the rest of the breakout session. He explained how it was helping him. He said that he often feels nervous energy and is easily distracted. One of the strategies he had developed to keep himself focused at conferences was […]
Show Notes for Podcast 63 – “Trailmap for Life” Today on the Podcast we introduce you to a free Life Skills resource and invite you to join us in providing input to the organization that created it to address some of the needs of the disability community. Most of us, as adults, are in pursuit of making life better, of doing life more efficiently, of maximizing the resources that are available to us, of using our gifts and talents with good benefit to us and to others. We want our children and friends with disabilities who have reached adulthood to […]
When parents drop off their children affected by disability, whether those children are young or they are adults, you probably see a wide range of emotions and approaches. For example: What you can do: 1. HAVE COMPASSION REGARDING THE PARENTS’ JOURNEY Most parents have not signed up for this, and of those who have walked into disability parenting on purpose (foster care/adoption), they probably could not have imagined how hard it could be. Just like those raising biological children. They may be reeling from a new diagnosis and trying to find their footing. They may be dealing with a new […]