Courage is not natural to one’s character. But it can appear when a person is forced to face fears and depend on Christ. My suffering with a disability has cultivated within me courageous character. As I’ve thought about it, I’ve discovered 8 ways I am blessed. Do any apply to you too?
Category: Education/Advocacy
What Would You Say with Only 18 Minutes?
If you had 18 minutes to give the talk of your life, what would you say? I discovered the Web site TED not long ago; I’m addicted. “TED—Ideas Worth Spreading” stands for Technology, Education, Design. One of the fundamental principles of TED Talks is that a speaker has 18 minutes to express his or her […]
Underdogs
I had been sorting through stacks of papers for six hours; it was now 1:00 in the morning. Twelve years of my son Jon’s educational tests, medical reports, teachers’ notes, and therapy summaries—once organized in chronological order—had become stacked in disarray on my study shelves over time. Reviewing twelve years of material is overwhelming for […]
One Step at a Time
by Michael Woods adapted by Colleen Swindoll Thompson Don Bennett was on top of the world. He was wealthy; he owned a ranch, an eight-bedroom waterfront home on Mercer Island, and a ski chalet. Life was good, until everything changed. A boating accident resulted in Don losing his right leg; and while he was in […]
An Advocate
When I read this, I thought of you and all of us who care for loved ones in need. An Advocate by Charles R. Swindoll Job is portrayed as “blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil” (Job 1:1) . . . and yet the bottom drops out of his world. He loses everything […]
Back to School
It’s back-to-school time! I’m guessing some parents (including me) are delighted, and most kids are disappointed. Kids tend to ask lots of questions before school begins: “Will I be riding the bus?” “Who is my teacher?” “Are the kids nice?” “Do I wear regular clothes or a uniform?” But kids don’t ask questions just about […]
Most Blessed
Courage is not natural to one’s character. But it can appear when a person is forced to face fears and depend on Christ. My suffering with a disability has cultivated within me courageous character. I am blessed. My struggle with being misunderstood because of my disability has cultivated within me grace and mercy. I am […]
Creatures of Habit
I am definitely a creature of habit, and maybe you are too. A habit provides a sense of security and simplicity. Studies show that with persistence and patience a habit can be created in about 30 days. However, sometimes we have harmful habits that hinder our spiritual growth. Consider for a moment what you believe […]
Challenges of Siblings, Part 3
How the Church Ministry Can Help Siblings of Special-Needs Kids Would you like to minister to the siblings of a special-needs family but don’t know where to start? The Internet has plenty of great resources for help in researching and shaping an outreach ministry at your church that’s tailored to their needs. Here are a few: […]
Celebrating 20 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Today we’re celebrating 20 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act, also known as the ADA. You will find a great deal of information at www.disability.gov, including ways to connect to support systems, news, feeds, and groups. Enjoy! If you have any questions . . . or a story to share, I would love to […]
Challenges of Siblings, Part 2
How You Can Help Siblings of Special-Needs Kids Siblings of a special-needs child are greatly affected by the shift their family must make. Many times they feel left out, confused, isolated, and unable to find a place to freely express their struggles. Here are 10 very simple ways you can help kids who have a […]
Challenges of Siblings, Part 1 of 3
Most Commonly Reported Challenges of Siblings of Special-Needs Children Many siblings struggle when their brother or sister carries a disability. Challenges arise unexpectedly. Parents are often unsure how to provide help and guidance. The first step to helping the siblings of special-needs children involves knowing where to look for the most common challenges. Here are […]