October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Because I follow lots of special-needs parents on social media, my timelines have been filled with facts and fun stories about friends and family members with Down syndrome. Last week on my Instagram account I even shared my own story, including these texts from my big sister: She and…
Pray to God and talk to your spouse. Seek God’s wisdom and plan for your child. Don’t keep your concerns to yourself. Even if you and your spouse aren’t on the same page at the same time, keep talking and praying. God can bring you together to help your child. Be patient with your…
A few months ago I got an email from a new grandmother. “What’s your opinion about vaccines causing autism?” I replied in my usual way—I’m not a doctor. I don’t give medical advice. If you think your child/grandchild has a weak immune system, talk to your pediatrician about your concerns … She emailed back….
My sister Syble has Down syndrome, so when our family goes out to eat or out anywhere, people notice us. Sometimes they stare. Sometimes they smile. Sometimes they just look away. Young children may ask questions or point. It becomes so expected we don’t even notice it anymore. But our son James has autism,…
…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 I requested a weekend respite worker from the agency that works with my son to help me care for Dan during church service on Sunday. It took a while but they finally found one, a very lovely young lady. She came over…
I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten … Joel 2:25 My friend Jolene wrote a piece recently about the guilt she carries about mistakes she feels like she made in the early days of parenting. I think we all carry guilt from things we did do or didn’t do for our kids….