The only time I go running with my husband Peter is when he is pushing at least two children in a jogging stroller. I remember one time, many years ago, when we were running side by side and I told him I needed to rest. “You can do it,” he said. “I know you can.” I could hear the good intentions and encouragement behind his words. So I kept going. A few minutes later, again, with that same tone, “Just... Read more
One of these days, I’ll write more on this topic, but for now, I’d like to offer the words of Andi Sligh, of the blog Bringing the Sunshine: Last week, the government released statistics in the United Kingdom on the number of abortions performed during 2010. Of the 2,290 abortions performed for a medical problem, 482 were due to a diagnosis of Down syndrome (heartbreaking, but no surprise). The more shocking statistic (at least to me) is that 188 of those... Read more
When I interviewed Rachel Simon, author of The Story of Beautiful Girl a few weeks back, I asked her some of your questions. I’ve finally transcribed the interview and wanted to share with you her thoughts. What are some ways growing up with a sister with an intellectual disability changed and shaped who you are? And do you have any advice for siblings of children with special needs? (I noted that anyone asking this question might want to read Riding... Read more
There are real reasons for people to get divorced, but the destruction of a marriage should never be celebrated. In “The Divorce Delusion,” an article from the New York Times a few weeks back, the writer reflects on popular culture’s recent embrace of divorce and comments upon the pain that remains for the children of divorce. I just read a wonderful book (which I reviewed for Christianity Today, so I’ll link to the review in a month or so) by... Read more
Over the weekend, a friend asked, “What was the hardest part of writing A Good and Perfect Gift?” When I sat down to write, I had over 200 typed pages of journal entries from the time immediately following Penny’s birth. I recorded the raw emotions, the theological questions, and all the things I needed to learn about Down syndrome and disabilities. But there was one problem–the journal entries didn’t have much of a plot. How do you make the life... Read more
I don't want bureaucrats in Washington deciding what kind of treatments people can get but I do want people to know the freedom, hope, and peace available to Christians in the face of death. Read more
To conclude some of the thoughts I’ve shared about prayer this week, I want to offer the suggestion of using prayer cards. For a fuller explanation, go to Paul Miller’s A Praying Life, but the basic idea is to think of people or recurring ideas in your life that you’d like to talk to God about. Make a card for each of those people/groups of people/institutions/etc. and then use them as a reminder not only of what to pray about... Read more
Our children are always surprising me. There’s William making “art” in the front yard out of a plastic lawnmower, red cones, and a host of tennis balls. Or Penny’s determination in the swimming pool. Marilee’s recent willingness to inhale large amounts of prunes. So the other night, I was helping William get ready for bed. (Incidentally, for those of you following our sleep woes at home, William is back in his crib. He was right. He needs a fence. He’s... Read more
Prayer is exciting. Prayer is tough (at least for me). But as I mentioned in yesterday’s post, honesty with God matter more than getting it right when we pray. We can bring our doubts, fears, shame, guilt, anger, sorrow, joy–we can bring our real selves–to God in prayer. Penny and William routinely teach me about bringing myself to God in prayer. I’ve share these stories before, so I won’t recap them in full, but Penny has taught me about sharing... Read more
Sometimes I forget that most of the world isn’t attuned to issues related to Down syndrome and intellectual disability. I also get tired when I read one more headline about people in positions of power mocking people who have historically been scorned and abused. So when I read the reports about GQ’s recent gaff, I almost overlooked it. But then I remembered that if I want people to stop using the r-word as a slur, and if I want people... Read more
Thin Places-Faith, Family and Disability
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