When Shauna arrived at the doctor’s office for her four-month ultrasound, the question on her mind was what color to paint the nursery. But after an unexpected diagnosis of Down syndrome, she and her husband left with more questions than answers. “I pinched myself. I literally pinched myself. The one and only time I’ve done that in my life. Because it was so surreal. This is Continue Reading
He's my dad, not a disability. Those words have been rattling in my brain this March, the month in which my father died 22 years ago. My thoughts have moved beyond the deep, personal grief I felt in 1997. Now my wish is to describe Harlan Stratton who, along with Jesus, shaped my perception of who people truly are. Harlan Stratton loved his wife. He picked out her Continue Reading
I feel lonely today. Do you? I know I’m not alone. I’m surrounded by people who love me and would jump to my rescue if I told them I was in need. More than that, I know my Savior never leaves me nor forsakes me. But I feel lonely and I can’t shake it. Like mixing one part depression with two parts weariness and heartache, a pinch or two of memories thrown in for good Continue Reading
There’s a difference between ministering to someone who has a disability and really doing life with them. While barriers like staircases and narrow doorways may keep someone with a physical disability from entering a space, there are other barriers that keep them from genuine, deep friendship. How can we take steps to tear down walls that isolate someone from community when Continue Reading
In the stillness of the morning, before sun awakes, I find Him there. I stagger to my chair, coffee in hand, and pull up my soft, checkered blanket around me. This is our meeting place. I shut out the day that is to come – with it’s changing of the sheets, daily sanitizing, picture schedules, and behavior charts – and allow God’s presence to envelop me in peace. I can’t Continue Reading
