A Different Dream for My Child

Jolene of Different Dream is featuring my blog this week by publishing an interview with me!

From Jolene's blog:

"DifferentDream.com is a gathering place for parents of special needs children. Dads and moms in the hospital with seriously or terminally ill kids feel isolated. So do parents whose children live with mental disabilities or chronic illnesses.
If you’re one of those parents, DifferentDream.com can help you find answers to questions like:

• Why did God let this happen to our child?
• Where do we find strength to deal with this diagnosis?
• How do we navigate life in the hospital?
• How do we juggle life inside and outside the hospital?
• When we take our chronically ill child home, how will we cope?
• What will life be like if our child dies?
• If our child survives, how do we regain a normal life?"

Jolene has written a book - A Different Dream for My Child - Meditations for Critically or Chronically Ill Children which I just started and can hardly put down. Her writing is compelling, real and filled with hope.

Her book is a must have for every parent walking alongside a child with a critical or chronic illness. I hope to share more after I finish the book!

Jolene is also quite active in ministry alongside individuals with special needs.

Here is part one and then part two of the interview.

I am so grateful for the support and advice of others who have traveled this ministry path before me. I have never met people who give so generously of their experiences as those who minister alongside individuals with special needs. Thanks Jolene!

Thank you Lord for all those you put in my path as I work to meet the needs of individuals with special needs and minister alongside them!


Share|

Three Monks on an Island

I ran across this parable this week and it has left me pondering what it means to faith communities in learning to walk alongside people with special needs.

Three Monks on an Island

By Leo Tolstoy

"Three Russian monks lived on a faraway island. Nobody ever went there, but one day their bishop decided to make a pastoral visit. When he arrived, he discovered that the monks didn't even know the Lord's Prayer. So he spent all his time and energy teaching them the "Our Father" and then left, satisfied with his pastoral work. But when his ship had left the island and was back in the open sea, he suddenly noticed the three hermits walking on the water-in fact, they were running after the ship! When they reached it, they cried, "Dear Father, we have forgotten the prayer you taught us." The bishop overwhelmed by what he was seeing and hearing, said, "But, dear brothers, how then do you pray?" They answered, "Well, we just say, 'Dear God, there are three of us and there are three of you, have mercy on us!'" The bishop, awestruck by their sanctity and simplicity, said, "Go back to your land and be at peace."

Many individuals with significant special needs cannot speak or if they do their communication skills may be lacking in some way. Some cannot memorize the prayers that we all know by heart. Prayers that may make us feel closer to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Are those prayers necessary to have a deep relationship with the Trinity?

This parable displays what we, parents of children with special needs, already know.

Faith is what the heart knows and understands.

Our duty is too teach our children just how much God loves them. They don't necessarily need words to walk in faith and complete God's will for them on earth...

Share|

Our New Educational "Toy" - iPads and Down Syndrome

For some time I've heard about the advantages the iPad has to offer but the cost was prohibitive. I've wasted invested so much money on educational tools/materials that disappointed me that I did a great deal of research before committing to buy.

And I was still unsure.

Do we really need more technology in our house?

We are surrounded by technology which I find all too tempting. In the time it takes me to write this post, I could have burned 300 calories on the treadmill...

Would this tool be of value to an older child with special needs?

Reagan has great verbal skills. She doesn't need a augmentative communication device. Those with younger children with Down syndrome find the relatively inexpensive AAC app, Proloquo2Go, quite valuable.

Would there be enough apps to make the device worth the cost in our homeschool?

Reagan has the basics down and much of what I had read about apps which are useful in education and Down syndrome were applicable to younger individuals.

But then I read Leah's review of iPad apps on her blog, Garden of Eagan, and I felt a bit more positive.

Then our cell phone provider dropped the price of the original iPad dramatically.

That was all I needed!

Reagan loves her iPad! I've found many apps that are fun learning tools. Many incorporate errorless learning in a way that Reagan finds exciting. I've also found apps which build on her communication skills and grammar.

My favorite apps so far are from the Mobile Education Store. These communication apps are inexpensive and interesting for Reagan.

The math apps available seem endless. There seems to be something for every goal I set!

For a comprehensive list of apps for children with special needs, try these sites:

iPhone and iPad Apps for (Special) Education

Complete Guide to Educational and Special Needs Apps

Looking for an iPad for your child? Fill out an application here. Apps for Children with Special Needs exists to help families who cannot afford an iPad.

You might find other resources for funding at Special Needs Apps for Kids

The rest of the family also makes use of Reagan's iPad. I never thought I would enjoy downloading books and reading them on an electronic device. I so love the feel of reading a real book - but having 26 versions of the Bible (free app) in one place can be useful!

Now, I can take my vacation reading in a suitcase minus the weight of the books.

I love this device too! It has proved to be worth its cost and its value will build over time with new apps developed constantly. I'm sure this investment will not be wasted!

Share|

Benefits of Homeschooling Children wtih Special Needs

Yes, we are still homeschooling! I don't write about it much these days though. Reagan, 16 y.o. with Down syndrome, is my only student now. I guess I've been doing this for so long, that it is just our way of life. The struggles are few and the joys many!

This was originally published in 2004 on the Riverbend Down Syndrome Association's website but still works today.

Benefits of Homeschooling Children with Special Needs

The child with special needs can receive the one-on-one teaching that will enable them to grow academically. This cannot be matched in the public school setting.



The program can specifically target the child’s relative strengths and tailor the child’s education in such a way that the system cannot possible match. Homeschooling also allows us to teach subjects not commonly offered in the public school system.



The program designed for them by the person who knows their needs intimately. Your home program will best suit their individual needs. You can create a balanced program that does not sacrifice academic skills for life skills.



The child can learn at his/her own pace to allow their needs to be met properly. Concepts can be taught with the repetition necessary for mastery using a wide variety of materials ensuring success appropriate to the child's needs and developmental age.



The child will have the opportunity for successful learning experiences that will motivate them to develop persistence in learning difficult concepts.



The child learns academic and functional life skills in the best of all venues-real life. Fractions are “important” when it comes time to share a pizza!



The child with special needs can learn where they are safe from peer ridicule. Many children with special needs are the object of peer ridicule because of processing difficulties, difficulty expressing themselves, physical impairments or cognitive challenges. They can make mistakes where it is safe to do so – their own home.



The parent can pick and choose social opportunities. Homeschooled children are not limited to socializing with only their peers. They tend to socialize with children and adults of all ages for a wide variety of experiences. Homeschooled children are less affected by peer pressure.



Character development and behavior issues can be dealt with by providing an environment where limits and consequences are consistently enforced. Homeschooling can offer atmosphere where the choices and consequences are articulated as necessary to make the best choice available and wrong choices can be discussed and dealt with consistently.



The spiritual needs of children with special needs can be met best in our own homes where they will be exposed to the love and word of God. In a world where many of our children seen as "disposable" and somehow less worthy, they need to know that God has a plan for them and loves them unconditionally. God does not make mistakes! "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14, NIV.



The health benefits are tremendous. Children exposed to Early Intervention in group settings and the public school system are constantly exposed to every viral/bacterial illness present in the community. Homeschooled children with special needs can avoid many of these common illnesses until they are older and better able to tolerate them.

If I could only prevent people from "borrowing" my writing. The may rearrange and simplify a bit but....

Share|

For His Glory

Waxing poetic of late.

I am a child of God

Daughter of the King



I am born of Royalty

A servant in my Father's Kingdom



Following the teachings of my Lord and Savior

To love as He loves us



Empowered by the Holy Spirit

Strength for the journey



I know that I am loved

Created in love to love others



Planting seeds

Wherever I go



To make His love known

To all of His creation



Planting seeds

So love can grow



His love brings freedom and joy

In identity joined in Him



My mission is to live, love and serve

Bringing all before the Throne



Love will unite His church

Making the Body of Christ whole



The hope of the crippled, the lame, the blind, the lepers

Love will come to heal



If not on our earthly journey

Eternity awaits



Then the lame will leap like deer and the mute shout with joy

And I will be healed

Share|