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When Normal Is the New Weird | Special Needs + Typical Parenting (Belonging Neither Here Nor There)

Feb 4, 2015 | Categories: Advocacy & Awareness, Inclusion, No, You're Not The Only One..., Parent Support, siblings, and Uncategorized. Tags: Asian, Autism Awareness, Inclusion, Parenting, Sacred Parenting, and Siblings.

“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity Many of us hold dual citizenship: Card-carrying creds from the world of Special Needs parenting, and membership in the “normal” world of typically developing children (“Sibs.”) We occupy both...

Special Siblings: Why It Doesn’t Have to be a Snowman

Apr 22, 2014 | Categories: Letting go, letting God, siblings, and Uncategorized. Tags: Frozen, future, Rain Man, Siblings, Sibs, surrendering control, and worry.

In honor of Autism Awareness Month and National Sibling Day (April 10), today’s post celebrates the unique, complex and extraordinary bond between special needs “Sibs” and their differently-abled brothers and sisters. Do you wanna build a snowman?  Come on let’s go and play  I never see you anymore  Come out the door  It’s like you’ve gone away We used to...

Siblings: Support Resources (Sib Panel Pt. 4)

May 21, 2013 | Categories: "How Can I Help?", Grief & Loss, How to help, Joni and Friends, Ministry and kidmin leaders, siblings, Special Needs Ministry, and Uncategorized.

Part IV in Sibling Panel Series In the first post, we shared our adult Sib Panel’s personal insights at growing up with a special needs sibling. Earnestly and honestly, they shared their struggles as well as blessings gained. In the second post, we highlighted practical recommendations how parents and families can help support Sibs. In the third post, we shared research provided by...

Siblings: Research & Resources (Sib Panel Pt. 3)

May 21, 2013 | Categories: "How Can I Help?", Grief & Loss, How to help, Joni and Friends, siblings, Special Needs Ministry, and Uncategorized.

Part III in the Four-Part Sibling Panel series In the first post, we shared our adult Sib Panel’s personal insights at growing up with a special needs sibling. Earnestly and honestly, they shared their struggles as well as blessings gained. In the second post, we highlighted practical recommendations how parents and families can help support Sibs. In this third post, we share...

Siblings: How to Help (Sib Panel Pt. 2)

May 6, 2013 | Categories: "How Can I Help?", Grief & Loss, Healing, How to help, Joni and Friends, and siblings.

Part II of a Four-Part Series on Special Needs Siblings This picture was taken two summer ago when Justin was five. The boys were swimming at the pool. An older girl about ten began harassing Jeremy, who is sweet, passive, and non-verbal with autism. I was ready to launch into Mama Bear Mode when my kindergartener beat me to it. Justin shouted the girl down to leave his brother alone....

Siblings Have Unique Needs, Too (Sib Panel Pt. 1)

May 1, 2013 | Categories: Grief & Loss, Parent Support, siblings, Special Needs Ministry, and Uncategorized. Tags: Sib Panel and Siblings.

Part I of a Four-Part Series on Special Needs Siblings In honor of April Autism Awareness Month and Sibling Appreciation Day on April 10 (yes, there is such a day!) our Special Adventure parent support group had the extraordinary blessing of hosting a Special Needs Sibling Panel on April 21, 2013. We invited four adult siblings who grew up with a special needs brother or sister to share...