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How Superheroes Decompress: Respites & Shawarma (A Tribute to Volunteers)
Confessions of a Respite Groupie Hello. My name is Diane. And I am a self-professed Respite Groupie. If there’s a church respite event within a 45-minute radius of our home: We. Are. There. “Neither rain, nor sleet, nor dark of night…” Whatever, man. We are there. It’s the only event I’m ever on time for. It blows my mind that a group...
read moreHow Special Needs Ministry Benefits Volunteers & Churches | Meet Mr. Nick
In last week’s post, I shared about how Special Needs Ministries are needed to reach the 90% of special needs families who do not attend church. Most simply can’t. I also shared a few practical ways that extended –and spiritual– family can help. You can imagine how inclusive churches and special needs ministries bless special needs families like mine. And as a Special...
read moreHow To Support Special Needs Families & Ministries | BASS Conference 2014
This is my family. Over the last ten, post-diagnosis years, these fine folks have looked for excuses to line our pockets, knowing full well we have gaping holes in them. My parents have provided us with uncountable financial support, particularly during our chaotic Early Intervention Years, when we hemorrhaged money for therapies ($7,000.00 a month out-of-pocket.) St. Patrick’s...
read moreGoldeluxe & The Three “Must Bears” of Special Needs Ministry
A tribute to special needs ministry champions who honor our families with “Gold-deluxe” service. I’ve been each of these three “Must Bears” at some point. Supporting complex families like ours can be a delicate, sensitive and prickly endeavor. Thank you for your calling, passion and dedication to serve where many others dare not tread. ...
read more31 Crazy Things Special Needs Ministry Leaders Never Say
Inspired by this recent humorous post by Dale Hudson of Relevant Children’s Ministry, here are: 31 Flavors of Crazy: Things Said By No Special Needs Ministry Leader, Ever “Special Needs”? Whatev. Just throw him in. It’ll be fine. Please, no more volunteers. Go serve 1:1 on the parking team or something. I’ve got a great idea: STROBE...
read moreJoni Camp STM’s: Hall of Fame (Continued)
In two earlier posts, I summarized the wonders of Joni Camp, and featured a handful of the amazing STM’s. The series continues with more STM stories from our recent June 2013 Camp. None of these STM’s were conscious of being watched. They were focused on their Camper, immersed in just serving and loving them. But many of us couldn’t help but notice these extraordinary...
read moreSiblings: Support Resources (Sib Panel Pt. 4)
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...
read moreSiblings: Research & Resources (Sib Panel Pt. 3)
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...
read moreSiblings Have Unique Needs, Too (Sib Panel Pt. 1)
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...
read moreWho You Callin’ “Retarded”?
Ending The R-Word Let’s face it. Most typical kids think Special Ed kids are weird. I was once a kid, too, so I know how it is. I used to toss around The R-Word on the playground and locker room, just like everybody else. Then I grew up and had a kid with autism. Meanwhile, the world has generally maintained the same dismissive attitude. However, our family is blessed to live...
read moreUnbroken Faith
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