that's what they said {disability ministry round-up 6-18-12}
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Before I dive in to today's list, I want to share four tidbits of my own:
- I've been quiet lately because we had our biggest respite night yet this past weekend, and family life has been busy and blessed as well. I love blogging, but sometimes life is too full for all the things we love.
- On that note, we should have a visa appointment soon for Zoe Amanda. That date will tell us our travel dates to bring her home!
- Congrats to Webb Simpson in winning the US Open! I don't follow sports in general, but when a brother in Christ - particularly one who is a member at my church and who cared for my son as a baby in the church nursery - wins, I take note. Way to go, Webb!
- Happy anniversary, Lee. It's been a wonderful seven years of marriage, and I am so thankful you're my husband. I love you.
How Dads Are Impacted When Kids Have Disabilities by Steve Grcevich
Last year, an interesting study was presented at the International Society For Autism Research suggesting that over 30% of fathers of teens and young adults with autism experience symptoms of depression significant enough to warrant clinical attention. That’s a striking finding.Battling the Bitterness of Parenting a Disabled Child by Christine Hoover
In those months, I left every playdate, church event, or trip to Chick-fil-a obsessing about what I didn't have and what my son didn't do. On each car ride home, my son sat silent and staring in the back seat while I sobbed and pleaded with God for a miracle. I wanted a kid who actually interacted once in a while, not one who counted storage units or intently searched for manhole covers."Just as Long as It's Healthy..." by John Knight
That mindset has consequences beyond the obvious. Disability lives on one end of a spectrum of possibilities for any child. Once we determine any one of those possibilities is unacceptable, we open the door for "choice" on all of the possibilities, including sex, race, or varying degrees of what would otherwise be considered normal.Special Needs Adoption & Respite from the Wait by Shannon Dingle (a guest post elsewhere)
I would love to have Zoe Amanda home already. Sometimes it’s hard to gaze at her picture and know that we’re still weeks away from having her in our arms. But since we won’t have her home for a few more weeks, I am thankful to be able to lead one more Respite Night before our third child is home.Son's Autism Makes for a Better Father by Kevin Whaley
So what’s my inspiration? What keeps me upbeat? That’s an easy one. I know one day I will see Parker in heaven, and he won’t have autism. And he’ll say to me, with no hesitation: “Thanks, Daddy.” That’s all the inspiration I need.