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I’ll Never Hear, “I Love You, Mommy” (Lies The Devil Tells)

Jan 14, 2015 | Categories: Grief & Loss, Healing, No, You're Not The Only One..., and Uncategorized. Tags: Grief & Loss.

As the mother of a non-verbal child with autism, I know lots of other mom-friends of children who don’t speak. We seldom discuss it. But, oh, how we all long to hear, “I love you, Mommy.” For my son, it took years of intensive speech and behavioral therapy before he could even identify me as Mommy: He paired my laminated picture with the word on a flash card. I’ll take it. One night, I...

What Now? Overwhelmed & Underqualified | When Life’s Got You Hiding in an Upper Room

Feb 11, 2014 | Categories: Advocacy & Awareness, Grief & Loss, Healing, Parent Support, Recent Diagnosis, Uncategorized, and Why me? Why my child?.

“Who me? A Special Needs Parent? I can’t do this! I’m not qualified.” Growing up, I was afraid of those handicapped kids, tucked away in the portables at the rear of campus. I probably even used The R Word. Even as an adult, I avoided making eye contact with someone in a wheelchair. “Do I make eye contact, or is that rude? Should I open the door for them or is that...

Faith through Disappointment – Part 1: ALCF Women’s Conference 2013

Oct 15, 2013 | Categories: Faith Rehab (Mad at God), Grief & Loss, Healing, How to help, Letting go, letting God, Mommy Martyrdom, No, You're Not The Only One..., Parent Support, Recent Diagnosis, and Uncategorized. Tags: Faith Rehab, fear, Grief & Loss, how to help, and Why?!.

On October 5, 2013, I had the privilege of speaking at my church, Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in Mountain View, CA. It was an honor to be part of the teaching team for the annual Women’s Conference, composed of keynote Dr. Gloria White-Hammond, and five fellow workshop speakers: Each uniquely gifted and passionate about seeing women healed and made whole. For the 2013 theme of...

“Just a piece of paper” – In Honor of Autism D-Day

Aug 20, 2013 | Categories: Devotionals, Faith Rehab (Mad at God), God Understands?!, Grief & Loss, Healing, No, You're Not The Only One..., Spiritual IEP for me, Uncategorized, and Why me? Why my child?. Tags: Devotional, Faith Rehab, God Understands?!, Grief & Loss, and Why?!.

In honor of our D-Day. On August 20, 2004, a pediatric neurologist scribbled, “Diagnostic code 299.00. Autism,” on a prescription pad. Some pieces of paper cut far deeper than others. ********************************************************** “Just a piece of paper” A marriage certificate. Divorce papers. A Do Not Resuscitate Form. An adoption certificate....

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....