“Lord, I can’t do this!”. I don’t know how many times I have stood in my kitchen (or bedroom, or wherever) and have uttered these words. Perhaps it was when Mary had a meltdown in public or I had to clean up a mess she had made or when someone said something hurtful or dismissive to her. I’m sure that sometimes, it was just an emotional reaction to something I didn’t want to do. But there were times when it was a literal statement, “This is beyond me, Lord. I [...]
Last week we wrote about the impact that having a sibling with special needs (SSN) has on our typically developing (TD)children. To write this week’s blog, we asked our TD children for their input. We asked them a few questions and we’d like to share their responses. Every child and every family are unique and certainly, their experiences are not necessarily the same as your TD children; but I think the responses are interesting and hopefully it might generate some discussion with your kids. Because both Emily (age 29) and [...]
For 36 days, our dear friends sat by their son’s hospital bed. Their son, who was born with multiple disabilities had been in and out of the hospital before during his 29 years, but this time he returned to his heavenly home and went to be with the Lord on October 30th. Our hearts and our prayers are so focused on this precious family right now. We wish we could help them in some way. We know that many of you, who have a child with special needs, have spent [...]
One Bible verse that has been helpful to me, especially when I feel as though I am being tested or under fire is Job 23:10, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold”. I know that to become gold, something/someone has to go through a lot of heat. But honestly, sometimes I have to admit I want to say, “Lord, I think I’ve been tested enough. Alright Already!!! I think I’m OK with bronze; you can stop testing me [...]
Your marriage, given that you have a child with special needs, will, in reality, be harder than if you had a typical child. (Hence the title—“tell me something I don’t know”). Normal things like going on a family vacation, going out to a restaurant, even going to church are more difficult. Countless doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, speech, behavior plans, restricted diets and med adjustments can be overwhelming and a reminder that our lives are anything but “normal”. Sometimes it feels like we are constantly swimming against the current. Life is [...]
