(Staff and Volunteers) Thank you! Thank you for all you do for God’s people and particularly those with visible and hidden disabilities and their caregivers, parents, siblings, and extended families. Having spent time with many of you from all over the country (and the world) at two different conferences this spring, these are some things we observe about you that are truly a blessing: YOU CARE. Your heart is big. Your desire is for belonging for all of God’s people in the local church. YOU CONSIDER. You think beyond “program” and are intentional about getting to know the unique needs...
Friend, take a deep breath. I want to ask you a question, and I want you to be honest with yourself: How heavy does it feel today? Maybe it’s the physical exhaustion of a long night, the mental weight of navigating school IEPs or insurance calls, or the quiet ache of wondering about the future. Perhaps it’s the pressure of being “on” for siblings, managing work, or feeling misunderstood by your own church or family. Whatever it is, I know your arms are full. But I have a word for you that I hope acts like a cool drink of...
(Part Five in the series: The Biggest Struggles for Christian Parents of Children with Disabilities. Each blog post in this series stands alone well.) This post is for: parents, caregivers, and anyone who loves and supports parents and caregivers, along with ministry leaders who care and want to serve individuals affected by disabilities and their families and caregivers. We know that parents and caregivers of children with disabilities have many unique challenges – whether those children are still young or have grown to adulthood. Over the last few months we have been highlighting some of the biggest struggles and finding...
(Part Four in the series: The Biggest Struggles for Christian Parents of Children with Disabilities. Each blog post in this series stands alone well.) Parents, caregivers, anyone who loves and supports parents and caregivers, ministry leaders who care and want to serve individuals affected by disabilities and their families and caregivers, this blog post is for you! We know that parents and caregivers of children with disabilities have many unique challenges – whether those children are still young or have grown to adulthood. Over the last few months we have been highlighting some of the biggest struggles and finding some practical...
(Part Three in the series: The Biggest Struggles for Christian Parents of Children with Disabilities. Each blog post in this series stands alone well.) Parents, caregivers, anyone who loves and supports parents and caregivers, ministry leaders who care and want to serve individuals affected by disabilities and their families and caregivers, this blog post is for you! We know that parents and caregivers of children with disabilities have many unique challenges – whether those children are still young or have grown to adulthood. Over the next few months we hope to highlight some of the biggest struggles and find some...
(Part Two in the series: The Biggest Struggles for Christian Parents of Children with Disabilities) This blog post is for parents and caregivers and anyone who loves and supports parents and caregivers and whole families affected by disabilities, including ministry leaders. Parents of children with disabilities have many unique challenges – whether those children are still young or have grown to adulthood. Over the next few months we hope to highlight some of the biggest struggles and find some practical and hope-filled solutions. Our goal with this series is two-fold. We want parents to know that we see you and...
Parents of children with disabilities have many unique challenges – whether those children are still young or have grown to adulthood. Over the next few months, we hope to highlight some of the biggest struggles and find some practical and hope-filled solutions. Our goal with this series is two-fold. We want parents to know that we see you, we hear you. It is also our goal to enlighten everyone – to give greater knowledge or understanding – to expose that these challenges are real and often difficult, confusing, agonizing, and also sanctifying. In all of the experiences any of us...
I know that originally the majority of the people who will read this blog post are already sensitive and caring regarding what words we use to define people. So – this is common knowledge and validation for you. Also – I am praying that the message will go far and wide to those who have caring hearts but lack knowledge or are unaware of the negative impact of some words that are insensitive, thoughtless, hurtful, inappropriate, and incorrect. You can help with that! Recently I happened upon a podcast episode of a respected host. I turned on the interview and...
Church people: Have we paused to consider the determined strength of a mom encountering immense challenges advocating for her child, or the particular perspective of a sibling? Imagine just for a minute the constant demands, emotional pressure, and financial deliberations of parents and caregivers. Siblings sometimes are overlooked, often carrying tremendous responsibilities their peers know nothing about. They are often at war with all the different emotions they feel like love, guilt, and going into protective mode. Grandparents and other extended family love the parents and the siblings and the one with disabilities. They are processing their own roles in...
Imagine. Imagine that you have arrived at a very beautiful place. As you are approaching the building, there are people lined up on both sides of the door cheering you on and welcoming you with joy. You enter into the building and immediately there are people patiently asking your name and handing you and your caregiver lanyards with your name tags attached. Those same people tell you what table you are assigned to and ask if you need help finding it. You say no because you can clearly see where your table number is located. You get yourself situated at...
