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20 Things I Know Now, That I Wish I Knew Then (The Special Needs Parent-Ninja Arts)
From time to time I get asked, “Do you have any advice for a Special Needs Parent?” It’s usually from someone freshly reeling from their child’s diagnosis, or a friend who wants to be supportive. BLESS THEM. To which I say (or think), Ohboyohboyboy! (and start mentally salivating.) I devoted this blog on Special Needs parenting to discuss exactly that: The...
read more2014 In Review | Why I’ve Been Away
Gracious Blog Readers, I know. I’ve been away. It’s been over six months since I last wrote a post. Thank you, though, for sticking around to see this one. It’s been a hard year. One that whooped me to the likes I haven’t experienced since Autism D-Day ten years ago. No incidents of death, disease or dismemberment. And certainly...
read more“What About My Child?!” Amidst Grads, Gowns & Grief, A Different Story Unfolds
Ah, the merry month of June! A joyous and hectic season. Flurrying about between graduations and gowns, gifts and weddings. “What’s next? Which college? What city? Which company?” Their graduations and gowns; their shiny gifts and weddings. I smile to suppress the slight rankle of bittersweet. For within these hallowed months, the ghost of my Idealized Child...
read moreThanking YOU for 2013: A Peek Behind the Curtain
Happy New Year’s Eve! Reflecting on 2013 (wrapping up Year One of the blog!) today’s post offers a peek behind the curtain: The genesis behind the blog, and my unexpected entry into writing. Unplugged, unpolished and ungrammatically correct, I’m just talkin’ to you as a friend today, to say THANK YOU… Why I started writing As many of my posts...
read moreMary: How is this “Blessed and Highly Favored”?!
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting...
read moreWaiting through fear and grief, “Do not be afraid!”
“Your child has autism. He’ll need at least 40 hours of intensive therapy a week. He may not learn to speak, function or live independently. He’ll likely not go to college, marry, or have his own family. You’ll have to abort your plans and rearrange your lives to care for him full-time. His prognosis? Unknown. You’ll just have to wait and see.” In...
read moreFaith through Disappointment – Part 1: ALCF Women’s Conference 2013
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...
read moreWhy did God let this happen? Did You lead us out here to die?
“Did You lead us out here to die?” As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in...
read more“Just a piece of paper” – In Honor of Autism D-Day
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....
read more“Why Me?” – God’s Spiritual IEP For Me
Like many special needs children, my son has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) at school. At present, it includes a 1:1 shadow aide who supports him exclusively throughout the day, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral therapy. Is it fair that my child gets a free bus ride to and from school, while hundreds of other parents must jockey in queue on a single-lane...
read moreUnbroken Faith

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