![]() |
|
Extraordinary KidsIn 1998, the book, Extraordinary Kids; nurturing and championing your child with special needs, received the Gold Medallion Book Award--the highest honor in Christian publishing. In 1996, Cheri Fuller and I teamed up to write the book, Extraordinary Kids. It was published in 1997 by Focus on the Family publishing. It was a much needed resource--then and today-- and is still hailed as one of the best resources for parents of children with special needs. Writing the book was a labor of love for me since I am the mother of a son with special needs. I am thrilled that this book has helped so many people, including teachers, grandparents, pastors, physicians, therapists and more. It continues to influence all those who read it. IntroductionTwenty years ago, my son, Jay, was born with Down syndrome. Though I didn't know it at the time, God was introducing me to one of the most marvelous journeys of my life. I remember the first time I held him in my arms. He was wrapped cocoon fashion from head to toe in a white blanket. Even his face was covered. Having just been told that he had Down syndrome and knowing absolutely nothing about the disability, I was a little apprehensive about pulling the blanket away from his face. Would he look "different?" What would my reaction be? I had seen him only briefly in delivery before they rushed him to a waiting isolette. ExcerptsDivine WisdomEven with the best of doctors, support groups, friends, and family, parents don't always find the answers to those questions and thoughts that play over and over in their minds. There are no easy answers. Time, prayer, and experience help, but nothing replaces divine guidance from Scripture. Through His Word, God places a healing balm on our hearts and emotions. If you're struggling with any of the questions below, perhaps these thoughts and scriptures will help:
Working Through GriefAs a nurse and parent of a son with Down syndrome, Joanne Woolsey is often called on to counsel parents of newborn Down babies. She tells them how much families come to love children with Down syndrome — it seems to be universal. But she also tells them it's okay to grieve. "You have to grieve for the child you were expecting before you can accept the child you have," she says.
Single Parenting a Special Needs ChildThe single parent has unique needs and stresses, especially if he or she is the sole caretaker of a disabled child. One of the biggest pitfalls is the tendency to neglect your own needs. As Rosemarie Cook says, "We parents of children with special needs often forget how to take care of ourselves. We may be able to get along fine until some major stress or crisis develops. If we continue to ignore our own needs, we will suffer the consequences, mentally or physically or both It's a natural reacti
Special StoriesThe Miracle of Jay-Jay"He doesn't look like the other boys," Grandpa said as he viewed the blanketed bundle I held in my arms. He was right. James Ryan, whom we called Jay-Jay, with his skinny little legs, almost bald head, and tiny, slanted eyes, bore little resemblance to my other chubby babies with their full heads of hair. But I knew the comment went far beyond looks. Grandpa couldn't accept the fact that Jay-Jay had Down syndrome and had mental retardation.
A Daily Dose of MiraclesHaving already experienced the death of my middle son to a rare congenital heart defect, I was devastated to learn that my beautiful, newborn baby boy not only had Down syndrome but congenital heart disease as well.
Special Needs TipsTen Tips For Caregivers
Ten Warning Signs Of BurnoutDoctors Minirth, Meier, and Arterburn, renowned professional therapists, tell us that "burnout" is a state of mental, physical, and spiritual exhaustion. Some of the warning signals they give below also pertain to those who are "caregivers."
Tips for Churches
|
|
|
Back40 Design. | © 2010 Louise Tucker Jones | Website design, support and hosting by