BLOG

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....

Autism Awareness: OK. You’re Aware. Now What?

Apr 1, 2013 | Categories: How to help, Parent Support, Recent Diagnosis, and Uncategorized. Tags: Autism Awareness and Autism Awareness Day.

Yesterday, April 2, 2013, was the UN Autism Awareness Day (April is Autism Awareness month.) I’m really glad we get a month, because autism is tricky, especially when no two people with autism are the same. I’m now eleven years into it with our son, and I’m still learning. So I completely respect that autism can be mystifying and intimidating for folks who aren’t...

Who You Callin’ “Retarded”?

Mar 15, 2013 | Categories: Don't Diss Disability (DissAbility), How to help, Inclusion, and Special Needs Ministry. Tags: Inclusion and One Body.

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...

Testimony @ Joni Eareckson Tada’s Bay Area Tour

Jan 29, 2013 | Categories: Grief & Loss, How to help, Joni and Friends, Ministry and kidmin leaders, Parent Support, and Special Needs Ministry.

In March 2012, I had the honor of introducing Joni Eareckson Tada during her tour of the San Francisco Bay Area, by sharing my family’s testimony. Video (10:30) and transcription below: In 2005, when my son Jeremy was 18 months old, our family returned from a year serving abroad in Uzbekistan. Jeremy still wasn’t talking, so we had him checked out for a speech delay. We assumed he was...