I am a Transitional Kindergarten teacher and I love working with my students each year! I have been teaching for about twenty years now, and sometimes the work I do is really challenging. Some of my students have learning disabilities or behavioral disorders. Often times, the kids just don't understand what's going on, and their parents may be equally unaware. This can be so difficult. His grace each day gives me the help I need at just the right moment. More importantly, He has given me many opportunities to share the Gospel with both the students and their parents. One… Read More
Special Needs
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Jesus instructed us to use our talents for His glory, and that is what I try to do with my music. I play a variety of musical instruments including the violin, fiddle and guitar, and even some unique instruments such as the Irish bouzouki and bodhran. Music is an integral part of my life and has been since I was a little girl. I wanted to spread the word about God's love in a way that tapped into my passion and talent. So I started a music ministry at the local hospital every Sunday morning. I begin by playing some traditional… Read More
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I’ve had a physical disability my whole life. I was born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), which means a lack of muscle mass. My arms and legs are affected. But I don’t “see” disability. I don’t dwell on what I can’t do. From early on, I learned to accept my limits, to know challenges will always exist, but they don’t have to be obstacles. I can chase dreams, love life, and embrace the story I am living. Does it look different? Do I need help to achieve those goals? Yes. That’s part of my normal and I don’t mind welcoming others into… Read More
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When I was in college, I worked for a non-profit that served infants who had special needs due to prenatal contact with drugs and/or alcohol. I was immersed in this inner city population for eight years, and I fell in love with these small children. They were such a light to my life. Once I had my own children, I took a hiatus from work, but knew I would go back eventually when the time was right. When I did return, my intention was to pick up where I'd left off, but the commute… Read More
I was shot when I was 17 years old, and paralyzed from the neck down. In a matter of seconds, I went from a healthy young man with his life in front of him to someone whose dreams were shattered.
At first, I was angry---at my circumstances, at the man that shot me and even at God. Why would a loving God want me to live this way? How could He let this happen? Slowly, that Read MoreThe challenges of caring for a child with special needs can be overwhelming. Care must be provided at all times. Our son, Aaron, had cerebral palsy, and we took loving care of him for 27 years until he passed away in 2009. Our loss devastated us, and we searched for how to make sense of it. We knew God had a plan, we just didn't understand it during that period. We didn't know what to do next, but from our personal experience, we always knew there needed to be some relief for the parents of children with special needs. While we were… Read More