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When Normal Is the New Weird | Special Needs + Typical Parenting (Belonging Neither Here Nor There)
“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...
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 moreWhy I Don’t Mind Being a Dis-Abled Family in a Hyper-Abled World: Part 2
Today’s post: A continuation from Part One, “Why I Don’t Mind Being a Dis-Abled Family in a Hyper-Abled World.” The Snack Shack A few weeks after we moved in, Justin set up a Snack Shack in the garage to “sell” free Otter Pops. It was more a ploy to help him meet and make friends with the neighborhood kids (who all seemed to know each...
read moreWhy I Don’t Mind Being a Dis-Abled Family in a Hyper-Abled World: Part 1
In the last nine years post diagnosis, our family has made three significant moves to new school districts or cities. Each move was driven primarily by Jeremy’s schooling needs. In this regard, perhaps we’re no different from many modern families. After an extraordinary run of six years at our last school district, I thought we’d never experience such marvelous...
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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