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AJB Insta Links

Amy Julia Becker

AJB Insta Links

Click on pictures below

a crowd of excited people waving streamers who line a road and welcome a vehicle to Hope Heals Camp

Misty Coy Snyder poses for a portrait outside. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.

2009 photo of Peter and Penny sitting on a porch and look into each other's eyes. Green grass and a wooden fence are in the background

a too full suitcase overflowing

collage of recs mentioned in post

Penny and a friend wear backpacks and walk hand in hand across the street to a waiting yellow school bus

David Thomas in a blue plaid shirt sits on a chair indoors with a white-and-tan dog sitting on the floor; a living room with windows, chairs, and bookshelves is in the background. Near the middle bottom is a smaller image of the podcast cover where Penny and Amy Julia walk hand in hand, with Amy Julia looking toward Penny.

Penny's hand holding open a copy of A Good and Perfect Gift

collage of photos of the banquet at Hope Heals Camp

toddler Penny blows out candles on her birthday cake while Amy Julia leans in close

A collage of recommended books, a podcast episode featuring Walter Brueggemann, the TV series The Bear, and a podcast by Tim Mackie, arranged in vertical panels.

Chris Cipriano poses for a portrait. Near the bottom is a smaller image of the podcast cover where Penny and Amy Julia walk hand in hand, with Amy Julia looking toward Penny.

A podcast cover image with the title "Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker" in bold navy text on a light blue background. Beside the text, Penny and Amy Julia walk hand in hand, with Amy Julia looking toward Penny.

a 2010 photo of Penny wearing glasses and a pink backpack. She is smiling at the camera, dressed in a colorful patterned top

Penny and I on stage at the Hope Heals Camp talent show

A collage of five book and media covers displayed side by side. From left to right: The House on the Prairie promotional artwork featuring a family seated together outdoors; Whistler by Ann Patchett, showing a saddled horse standing in a moonlit landscape; The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout, with a blue cover and a glowing white figure reflected in water; The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle, featuring a black cover with a gold circular design; and The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich, with a colorful illustrated cover of a young Indigenous girl surrounded by vibrant geometric patterns.

’m holding Penny, who has Down syndrome. In the photo, she is a toddler wearing a sleeveless orange-and-yellow floral dress. She looks at the camera with a playful expression. I’m smiling at her.

Marilee and I sit on steps, look at each other, and laugh together.

Penny who has Down syndrome gets ready to leave the house through the open front door, pushing her suitcase in front of her

photo of Brian Trapp pushing his brother's wheelchair when they were kids

Penny, who has Down syndrome, reads a note that accompanied a surprise gift box from Delta Air Lines for her first solo flight.

Penny, our daughter who has Down syndrome, walks out of a jet bridge after getting off a plane while a uniformed airline staff member stands nearby.

A composite graphic featuring a vintage illustrated aerial view of the German town of Bethel as the background. In the foreground, a black-and-white cutout photograph of Dietrich Bonhoeffer faces right. To his left, an inset historical photograph shows a large Nazi rally with crowds giving the Hitler salute and swastika banners displayed in a town square.

collage of photos of family events mentioned in post

Amy Julia sits at a table typing on her laptop

A delta airplane flying in the sky with a blue sky

2015 photo of Amy Julia wearing sunglasses and standing on a grassy lawn in front of the Jefferson Memorial. She is smiling and hugging three Penny, William, and Marilee, who are standing close together and facing the camera on a sunny day with a clear blue sky

concept of Juneteenth freedom day march showing by close up protesting hands sign board - concept of activism, justice and demonstration

collage of photos from 2024 of Penny going through airport security on her own

A friend and Penny standing together in a hallway, smiling and holding a handmade sign that reads “I ❤️ PALS New York.”

A printed article titled “How We Tell the Story of Down Syndrome” by Amy Julia Becker lies on a wooden table beside a white mug of black coffee. The article features a silhouette of an adult holding a child against a blue and yellow background and includes the subtitle, “The words, statistics, and stories we share matter.”

Woman looking at horizon.

A white mug of black coffee sits on a wooden table beside a printed New York Times article. The article features a black-and-white portrait and the headline, “Want to ‘Optimize’ Your Happiness? This Happiness Expert Says: Don’t.”

Penny showing up and getting her medal at the Special Olympics

Peter crouches at the edge of the ocean, smiling and reaching out to toddler Penny standing on a beach. Waves wash around the his feet while Penny, wearing a pink patterned swimsuit and white sun hat, faces him near the shoreline.

William receives his diploma on stage. Hills and a lake are behind him, and seated graduates are in the foreground

tree in an arid desert

Taj Mahal framed by trees with a dark sky behind

Screenshot of a social media post attributed to Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump), in which he criticizes several media figures by name, including Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones, using derogatory language and describing them in contrasting categories of “bad” and “very good” supporters.

dark, empty hospital hallway

my desk overflowing with papers and stacks of books

Mike Erre poses for a portrait outside. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.

Penny and her aunt work together outdoors, shoveling soil out of the back of a truck on a sunny day.

1. Penny talks on the phone while holding a pill bottle. 2. She smiles as she sorts medication into a blue weekly pill organizer at a wooden table

A horizontal collage of book and movie covers displayed side by side. Visible covers include Sinners on the far left with a fiery orange-red design, On the Basis of Sex featuring a woman in a blue suit standing before courthouse columns, All the Light We Cannot See with a blue sky over a cityscape, an abstract black-and-white cover with small glowing light icons arranged in a grid, and a partially visible white cover on the far right with bold black letters beginning “BEI.”

Sheli Reynolds poses for a portrait outside. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.

I smile at the camera while standing outdoors among tall green grasses, wearing a light green cardigan and a white top, with a soft, blurred marsh behind me

Katherine Wolf poses for a portrait outside in a garden. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.

brother sitting in a wheelchair gives his sister a kiss on her cheek

Marilee, William, Penny, and Peter posing outside for a photo in France on our 2026 spring break trip

Meghan Burke poses for a portrait inside a library. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.

2 people sitting on a bench near a pond

photo of a blue closed door with shadows across it

Dr. Curt Thompson poses for a portrait. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.

2024 photo by Cloe Poisson of our family sitting around a large white table playing a card game

dark shot of red berries in a garden

our family posing on a bluff with the ocean in the background in France

Renee Dollenmayer poses for a portrait. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.

Young girl and boy indoors at home, looking at glowing candles

A collage featuring several panels: a close-up of a person using a wheelchair; the book cover On Repentance and Repair by Danya Ruttenberg; the book cover Flourish by Daniel Coyle; an image of two hands connected with bright green string in a web-like pattern; and a smiling Sammy Basso wearing glasses and a jacket while seated in a wheelchair.

polaroid collage of Penny and her friend Grace at the Down Syndrome Gala

Pam Harmon poses for a portrait. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.

Amy Julia sits close to Penny with her arm around her on a bench in front of a ClemsonLIFE sign at Clemson University. The pair are framed by a large brick archway, with purple and orange balloons in the background.

Emily Longino poses for a portrait outside. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.

Printed page of a Washington Post article on a wooden table next to a cup of black coffee. The headline reads, “An autistic man called police for a wellness check. He was fatally shot.” The article is dated March 7, 2026.

Rebecca Wall poses for a portrait. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.

worn ballet slipper

Juli Henderson poses for a portrait. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.

David Bailey speaking at Laity Lodge

Amy Julia laughing with friends at Laity Lodge

A muted blue sky with a flock of birds flying in formation across the frame.

Matthew Mooney poses for a portrait. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.

Winter road lined with snow-covered trees

Angela O'Brien poses for an indoor portrait. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.

Peter and I at the front of a church during our wedding ceremony, standing before an officiant at the altar, with attendants beside us and guests seated in pews decorated with white bows and flowers.

photo of a laptop and on the screen is The Dispatch | Finding the Good Life in an Age of Designer Babies and High Achievers

flower sticker on a pink flower shadow background

Todd and Kristin Evans poses for an indoor portrait. In the lower left corner is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.

photo of laptop with The Pitt on screen

photo of hands pulling pizza slices

Adrian Wood poses for an indoor portrait. In the lower left corner is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.

A horizontal collage of five book and media covers. From left to right: a close-up photo of hands assembling a jigsaw puzzle on a brown rug; the bright yellow and red cover of From Behaving to Belonging: The Inclusive Art of Supporting Students Who Challenge Us by Julie Causton and Kate MacLeod; the illustrated white cover of The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi; a dark concert-style image of a person walking through a glowing doorway labeled Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour – The End of an Era; and the cover of the film Deliver Me From Nowhere

empty church pews in a dark church

Makoto Fujimura poses for an indoor portrait. In the lower right corner is the cover of the “Reimagining the Good Life with Amy Julia Becker” podcast, along with a white audio waveform graphic.

Medical diagnosis form on a clipboard with a stethoscope on top

Hand Writing in Journal With Candlelight

Amy Julia, Rachel, Penny, and Rachel's mom in front of the sign for Mamma Mia on Broadway

tire tracks through snow on a road lined by trees

Justin Giboney poses for an indoor portrait. In the lower right corner is the cover of the “Reimagining the Good Life with Amy Julia Becker” podcast, along with a white audio waveform graphic.

Penny stands in the kitchen wearing a birthday sash. Behind her are two candles affixed to the makings for ice cream sundaes. The candles are a two and a zero.

Joyful calm mature woman meditating with deep breathing, hands rest on chest. Breathing for relax

lights strung between poles on a dark night

A horizontal banner with five book covers side by side. The titles shown are: This Is Happiness by Niall Williams, The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green, Think Again by Adam Grant, and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. The covers include a landscape with a tree, bold colorful text, a lit match with water where the flame should be, and a blue background with white cloud shapes. On the far left are black-and-white photos of a person holding a phone that partially covers their face.

Kevan Chandler poses for an outdoor portrait. He is sitting in a wheelchair. In the lower right corner is the cover of the “Reimagining the Good Life with Amy Julia Becker” podcast, along with a white audio waveform graphic.

Penny gives her friend a high give at the bowling alley

Amy Julia sits on a porch resting her arms on her knees

blurred Christmas lights on a Christmas tree against a dark background

A smiling Leah Libresco Sargeant poses for a portrait. In the lower right corner is the cover of the “Reimagining the Good Life with Amy Julia Becker” podcast, along with a white audio waveform graphic.

Making Gingerbread Cookies. Christmas Cookie Cutters.

photo of the ocean at sunset

table covered with gifts and wrapping paper

Niro Feliciano poses for a portrait. Bold text in yellow text boxes near the middle of the photo says Take the Next Step.

A collage featuring five panels. From left to right: abstract artwork with floating platforms and red dots; a photo of three smiling women from The Lucky Few Podcast wearing light-colored outfits against a beige background; the book cover of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley showing a globe surrounded by famous landmarks; an illustration of two overlapping hands, one pink and one beige, on a blue background; and a close-up of an open red book under striped shadows.

teens walking down a road

a woman looks into a small mirror

Sho Baraka poses for a portrait. Bold text in yellow text boxes near the middle of the photo says Take the Next Step.

photo of a laptop screen with the homepage of Cognoscenti showing Amy Julia Becker's essay: What prenatal testing can't tell you

A smiling Sharon Hodde Miller sits on a couch. In the lower right corner is the cover of the “Reimagining the Good Life with Amy Julia Becker” podcast, along with a white audio waveform graphic.

Penny sits at a desk tracing

child playing with mother outdoors. The child is using a wheelchair, and they both are using their hands to see the others face.

Carrie Hahn poses for a portrait. Bold text in yellow text boxes near the middle of the photo says Take the Next Step.

Empty small town high school football ground lighted at night

Jordan Arogeti poses for a portrait outside. Bold text in yellow text boxes near the middle of the photo says Take the Next Step.

doctor consulting with patient; only hands are present

A smiling Kelly Kapic sits outdoors. In the lower right corner is the cover of the “Reimagining the Good Life with Amy Julia Becker” podcast, along with a white audio waveform graphic.

Matt Mooney poses for a black and white portrait against a brick wall. Bold text in yellow text boxes near the middle of the photo says Take the Next Step.

Penny, William, and Marilee are dressed in Halloween costumes and sit on a front porch next to carved pumpkins. Penny wears a pink princess dress, William is dressed as a pirate, and Marilee wears a lavender princess gown.

hands reach out to touch the hands of an older person

Grinning Little Girl with Down Syndrome with Painted Hands

Disability advocate Heather Avis and her kids, two of whom have Down syndrome, pose for a portrait. Bold text in yellow text boxes near the middle of the photo says Take the Next Step.

A smiling John Swinton stands outdoors wearing a brown jacket, with red autumn leaves and a stone wall in the background. In the lower right corner is the cover of the “Reimagining the Good Life with Amy Julia Becker” podcast, along with a white audio waveform graphic.

Peter and Penny sit on bleachers together

Erik Carter poses for a portrait. Bold text in yellow text boxes near the middle of the photo says Take the Next Step.

a lonely child sitting on a bench by a tree

graphic that shows the 10 dimensions of belonging created by Erik Carter after talking with many families experiencing disability

Jillian Benfield poses for a portrait. Bold text in yellow text boxes near the middle of the photo says Take the Next Step.

a friend and I face each other in deep conversation at Hope Heals Camp. The background shows a blurred group of people in a large indoor dining hall

painting of two people holding downs moving down a path. One person is walking and one is using a wheelchair

photos of diverse humans

Kevan Chandler poses for a portrait. Bold text in yellow text boxes near the middle of the photo says Take the Next Step.

dark blue graphic with cutout photo of Amy Julia, intertwined blue and yellow partial circles, and text that says: Reimagining the Good Life with Amy Julia Becker

parents walking away from the camera holding the hands of their young child who toddles between them

photo of a dad smiling at his disabled son

Sissy Goff poses for a portrait. Bold text in yellow text boxes near the middle of the photo says Take the Next Step.

Tablet on a desk displays a video of former President Donald Trump speaking at a podium with the presidential seal. Another person stands behind him. A red news ticker partially visible at the bottom reads '…ges link between Tylenol an…'. Notebooks and folders are arranged on the desk next to the tablet.

2023 photo of Peter sitting next to Penny. They are at a table covered with papers, pens, and a coffee cup. He’s pointing to a document as she is focused on reading it

A collage of five images side by side. From left to right: (1) A painting-style image of figures with outstretched arms in earthy reds, blues, and browns. (2) A cartoon drawing of a roller coaster with red flags at the top. (3) A cartoon rocket with a round window pointed toward a yellow moon in a starry purple sky. (4) The cover of the book Orbital: A Novel by Samantha Harvey, featuring colorful planets and cosmic imagery. (5) The cover of the book The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri, showing two figures carrying large backpacks walking toward an orange sky with airplanes overhead. (6) A poster for the Apple TV+ show Still starring Owen Wilson, showing Wilson in a blue cap and shirt standing outdoors with a camper in the background.

a party table set up outside with balloons. there are storm clouds in the background

Tug of War, on Bright Background

Katherine Wolf poses for a formal portrait while sitting on her walker; Bold text in yellow text boxes near the middle of the photo says Take the Next Step.

A promotional graphic titled “Take the Next Step” featuring headshots of ten speakers arranged in two rows. Top row: Katherine Wolf, Sissy Goff, Erik Carter, Jillian Benfield, Kevan Chandler. Bottom row: Heather Avis, Matt Mooney, Jordan Arogeti, Carrie Hahn, Sho Baraka. Each person’s name is displayed in a blue label below their photo.

A tablet on a white desk displays a Washington Post article titled “Newsom won’t stop mocking Trump — and Trump keeps taking the bait.” Next to the tablet are a cup of black coffee, a pencil, a white computer mouse, part of a keyboard, and a small potted succulent.

Marilee, William, and Penny sit on a bed in the dorm room at boarding school.

screenshot of Trump's televised cabinet meeting where he calls autism a "horror show"

Amy Julia sits in a hospital bed wearing a hospital gown and holding a newborn baby wrapped in a white blanket and wearing a blue hat. Toddler Penny leans in to kiss the newborn on the lips while the Amy Julia looks on with a gentle smile.

Peter walking with our niece down a road

person rock climbing

Stack of light blue denim jeans overlaid with a transparent image of DNA double helix strands.

A tablet on a light wood desk displays a Washington Post article titled “Inside the Silicon Valley push to breed super-babies.” The subheading reads, “Investors say genetic prediction services for embryos, used by Elon Musk and others, are a trust fund for future children. Many scientists are skeptical.” The article is dated July 16, 2025, with an estimated 22-minute read time. The desk also features a pen, a white notebook, white earbuds, and a bunch of white and pink daisies in the corner.

Collage of photos from Hope Heals Camp by Bryan Johnson

sketch pad with sketches of animated characters from movies

A digital tablet rests on a white desk next to a laptop, coffee with latte art, a yellow pencil, and two notebooks. On the tablet screen is an article from The Atlantic titled “The Work of Caring for My Daughter Will Never Be ‘Efficient’” by Julie Kim. The subtitle reads: “A constellation of people are essential to my disabled child’s life. Trump’s cuts to education and Medicaid threaten to steal them away.” Below the text is an illustration of a person and child sitting on a bench, watching ducks in a pond.

Penny, William, and Marilee outside on a sunny day walking away from the camera with their arms around each other.

A row of five covers displayed side by side. From left to right: A stylized illustration of abstract human figures interacting with oversized, open books against colorful backgrounds. How to Read a Book by Monica Wood, featuring a cozy bookshop storefront with a cat, table, and chairs outside. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, showing a close-up, colorful painted portrait of a woman’s face. Life, Animated by Ron Suskind, with a serene blue background and silhouettes of two people swinging above the title. How to Slow Down and be a Peaceful Presence When Tensions are High, a Christian leadership guide, with minimalist design featuring circular cutouts of nature imagery.

photo from 2013 of Peter and the kids piled together and laughing on the couch

family posing in Italy

A stethoscope, glasses, and notebooks lie on a desk next to a folder labeled "Medicaid."

2015 photo of young Penny reading a book in a classroom to a group of children sitting in front of her

a painting of an eye with a landscape in the background

Penny and I are preparing food together in a kitchen. I'm showing Penny how to slice zucchini on a cutting board placed on a blue table. A glass baking dish and a bowl of chopped zucchini are nearby

a group of people giving each other a high five; only their hands are visible

The supreme court building in washington, dc

A delicate, ornate gold carriage shaped like a pumpkin sits in the center of a sparkling, snowy blue background. The carriage has intricate scrollwork wheels and a shimmering, fairytale-like appearance, evoking imagery from Cinderella. Soft white lights and bokeh effects surround it, adding a magical, wintery atmosphere.

our family gathered around a wooden table playing a card game

collage of flowers and nature

black and white graphic of many hands raised in the air

selfies of AJ and Peter at an amusement park

the united states capitol building in washington, dc with a flag flying

A laptop screen displays a WBUR article titled "For people with disabilities: Kindness is nice. Legal protections are necessary." The article includes a photo of former President Donald Trump and two other individuals. The article discusses how the Trump administration's policies impact people with disabilities and highlights the importance of legal protections over mere kindness.

evening sun shining on pink flowers

Abstract illustration of a colorful neighborhood with overlapping geometric shapes representing houses, trees, and rooftops. The color palette includes shades of green, red, blue, and beige, with some elements featuring stripes or textured patterns. The overall style is flat and collage-like, giving a whimsical and artistic impression of a community.

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the book Being Heumann is on a wooden table

a large piece of white paper is on a wooden floor with the following written in large, all caps letters: “Disability and suffering are not the same."

Amy Julia stands outside and holds a young Penny as they grin at each other.

the book cover of Touching Spirit Bear

blue graphic covered in white text of random words from post caption and with the words "beautiful," "possibilities," and "together" in yellow text

Penny, a young white woman with Down syndrome, stands with her back partially to the camera. She is in front of rows of nail polish and is looking down at a bottle of blue polish that she holds in her hands.

photo of Amy Julia and young Penny from 2014. They are sitting on a wooden bench and are wearing winter coats as they smile at the camera

the movie cover of The Holdovers

Marilee and Amy Julia smile at the camera. They are wearing winter coats and matching white stocking hats and are standing in front of a river.

photo of Penny, a young adult with Down syndrome, sitting at a table with her dad. They are looking down at paperwork on the table.

faded photo of children's brightly colored pictures on the wall

screenshot of the movie cover of All the Light We Cannot See of a teenager in front of a radio receiver

banner paper with text written on it that says: because she believes in the inherent belovedness of every human being

selfie of Amy Julia and Penny with their heads together

collage of photos of Penny getting a birthday cake and the Becker family standing and holding papers and singing

collage of holiday photos

painting of a person facing towards winter trees

collage of photos of Penny with the family

blurred photo ofl ights on a Christmas tree

photo of Amy Julia sitting on a couch and smiling at the camera with toddler Penny in her lap, who is also smiling

photo of ice crystals on glass with cedar trees blurred against a sunrise in the background

teal graphic with text that says Favorite Movies and Shows that I watched in 2023 and has the covers of the movies and shows mentioned in the post

painting of a path through woods

photo of Amy Julia's hand holding a kindle with the book Necessary Trouble on the cover

dark photo of cedar trees covered in snow with a barren, dark landscape behind them

collage of Penny and Amy Julia at Down syndrome clinic at Mass General in Boston

graphic with book covers of the books mentioned in the post

collage of photos of Amy Julia and Niro at NBC Studios

screenshots of Amy Julia and Niro Feliciano on set at NBC News studios talking to hosts about disability and friendship

photo of Penny sitting in a chair in a doctor's office. She is waiting to get her blood drawn and Amy Julia is standing by her holding her hand.

photo of Amy Julia walking towards the camera with her arm around Penny, who is looking up at her

photo of Amy Julia's three teenagers sitting on a stone wall with their arms around each other and looking away from the camera out at the ocean in front of them

gradient blue graphic with photo of Tish Harrison Warren in front of green bushes with text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear with Amy Julia Becker and the cover of Tish’s Advent devotional

blue background with logos for special hope network and hope heals as suggestions for organizations to give to on Giving Tuesday

painting of a creek winding through fall grasses

screenshot of the cover photo for the Christian Century essay: Worshiping at the church of Taylor Swift

photo of a soccer team posing in front of fall trees with the sun setting behind them

gradient blue background with photo of Sissy Goff in a doorway with text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear and the cover of The Worry-Free Parent

empty country road stretching towards dark clouds

dark photo of fall leaves on a bridge and dark water below

Amy Julia sits in a hospital bed and hold baby William and toddler Penny

gradient blue graphic with photo of Curt Thompson, the book cover of the. Deepest Place, and text that says Love Is Stronger than Fear with Amy Julia Becker

photo of Penny sitting on a patio

photo of the book Small Talk next to a white pillar on a porch with blurred grasses in the background

photo of Penny looking down at a wooden table and writing a list on a piece of paper

painting of moms and kids walking away in an autumn woods

photo looking down at Amy Julia's hands, which are holding shards of broken plates

gradient blue graphic with photo of Stephanie Meredith, and text that says Love Is Stronger than Fear with Amy Julia Becker

photo of Penny sitting inside on a comfy white chair next to large windows; she is typing on a laptop

a photo of a desk with a laptop on top of a stack of books, a lamp, and a mic in a bedroom with the bed in the background

photo of a hand holding the book Never Enough

photo of Penny holding a tray of veggie skewers at the Po Cafe

field of sunflowers against a sunset

flooded river lined by green trees

photo of White Picket Fences on a porch

gradient blue graphic with text that says Love Is Stronger than Fear with Amy Julia Becker and photo of Robyn Paterson and cover of Down for Love

photo of a laptop on a white bed with feet on either side and on the screen is the show Down for Love

photo of Amy Julia smiling and leaning her head against Penny's head, who is a young girl with Down syndrome. She sits on Amy Julia's lap.

photo of blue sky, ocean, with rocks in the foreground

Penny is dressed up for homecoming and smiles in front of a window

a dark door opening into light

photo of Peter and toddler Penny sitting outside looking at each other

photo of Amy Julia wearing a green sweater outside and smiling for a selfie

view from a canvas tent upon a green meadow

screenshot of a church used in RNS essay entitled Why Do I Still Go to Church?

gradient blue graphic with text that says Love Is Stronger than Fear with Amy Julia Becker and photo of Curtis Chang and the cover of The Anxiety Opportunity

late summer sunrise with purple grasses in the foreground

Amy Julia sits a table with a yellow wall behind her, and she types on a laptop as she looks at the screen

photo of Amy Julia's and Penny's feet stretched out on a bed with a laptop between them and Down for Love on the screen

screenshot of TIME essay Doctors Don't Know How to Talk About Down Syndrome

photo of Katherine Wolf and Penny dancing at outside dance party

mosaic background with the cover of The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

photo of dark waves

gradient blue graphic with text that says Love Is Stronger than Fear with Amy Julia Becker and photo of Esau McCaulley and the cover of How Far to the Promised Land

graphic cover for the Champions movie

photo of a good and perfect gift book on a porch

photo of a church in a photo album

William and Penny stand together in front of a car.

Aerial View of the Ocean Wave

Photo of AJ facing away from the camera outside. She sits at a picnic table with a computer in front of her.

graphic with a photo from the Barbie movie and graphic overlays of hearts, thumbs up, surprised faces, and laughing faces

photo of Amy Julia standing with Anne inside at Hope Heals Camp

photo of the cover of the Atlantic with the art for the The Ones We Sent Away essay

graphic with 3 photos of Peter and Amy Julia smiling for a selfie by the ocean

screenshot of the Atlantic essay cover graphic

photo of a young teen pointing to a colorful carousel

Penny poses outside in front of a sign for The Po Cafe

american flag

collage of photos of Penny at Hope Heals Camp 2023

photo of Marilee, Peter, Penny, and William on bikes

photo of William with family and friends sitting at a large white table for a birthday party

photo of Margot Robbie as Barbie in a pink car

photo of a blue door in a stone wall lined with pink flowers

rock formations against the sky

birds flying in a line at dusk

Penny stands with her back to the camera on stage at the Hope Heals talent show with her arm raised in the air and facing an excited audience

toddler Penny dumping a bucket of sand at the beach

photo of path through green grass and trees

Amy Julia and family make silly faces on a bridge in Nashville before the Beyonce concert

extended family sitting outside and eating at a long, wooden picnic table

photo of sunset behind a tree in a meadow

photo of the US supreme court building

book cover of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers

William and Amy Julia smile for a selfie with their heads together and a glowing sunset over water and hills behind them.

rocks in water with sun reflecting

screenshot of flag graphic for Esau McCaulley's essay

photo of Penny, William, and Marilee standing outside smiling at the camera with a seated crowd blurred in the background

photo of young Penny wearing a pink hat, sitting on a bench outside, and reading a book

green background with photo of Penny, Marilee, Amy Julia, and William crowding together for a selfie outside

yellow flowers in green grass with blue-gray sky beyond

photo of Penny, who has Down syndrome, wrapping her arms around Amy Julia

gradient blue graphic with cutout photo of John Blake, the book cover of More Than I Imagined, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear

photo of a girl sitting in a pew at the front of a church sanctuary

photo of large white house with a green front lawn

dark photo of a wooden path winding through mist next to water

photo background of sunglasses and towel on blue planks

Peter and young Marilee, William, and Penny laugh and smile on a beach

photo of Amy Julia sitting at a table and typing on her laptop

gradient blue graphic with cutout photo of Dr. Lydia Dugdale, the book cover of The Lost Art of Dying, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear

photo of Peter and Amy Julia smiling at the camera outside

mosaic filter over background photo and the cover of To Be Made Well in the center

Penny in the center with her dance team performing on stage

photo of tree branches hanging over water

photo of Amy Julia taking a selfie in the mirror with her holding her cell phone and a hairdryer and Penny in front of her

screenshot of Religion News Service cover photo of people singing at Hillsong for the Hillsong was extraordinary. That’s the problem. essay

photo of Amy Julia smiling and wearing a pink cowboy hat and peach raincoat

photo of the book Small Talk leaning against a white post with airpods next to it

screen shot of graphic for Atlantic essay by David Brooks

gradient blue graphic with cutout photo of Aundi Kolber, the book cover of Strong Like Water, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear

teen girl looking away from camera toward the sun setting behind tree branches

spring flowers and grass

photo of the family smiling and drenched from rain at a Taylor Swift concert

photo of California's superbloom with mountains in the background

photo of Tim Keller sitting on a bench in a city

William running on a high school track and holding a relay baton

grasses growing in a marsh with blue sky reflected in the water

photo of Ted Lasso holding a soccer ball and waving

gradient blue graphic with cutout photo of Yolanda Pierce, the book cover of In My Grandmother’s House, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear

Penny sits next to her friend, who has her arms wrapped around her, and they smile at the camera.

Marilee and Amy Julia smile at the camera for a selfie as they rest in bed

photo of a stone path going up a hillside and framed by pink flowers

photo of Amy Julia giving a side huge to Penny and looking down at her as Penny looks up at her

photo of a church steeple against a blue sky

photo of a broken limb balanced on a rock in a river

mosaic background with a photo of a group of people of all ages sitting outside on rocks and looking at the camera

photo of pink flowers lit with a ray of sunshine

gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of Michelle Ferrigno Warren , the book cover of Join the Resistance, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear

photo of a friend and Penny holding hands and walking away from the camera in a mall

photo of Barbie with Down syndrome

photo of a group of people gathered behind a banquet table outside and smiling at the camera

photo of Elizabeth, Marilee, and Penny flexing their arms as they stand and sit on rocks in front of a small waterfall

photo of two diverging paths in a forest

photo of Penny sitting near a hospital bed while a technician talks with her

William, Penny, Amy Julia, Marilee, and Peter smile for a selfie on a rock outcropping overlooking a valley

blue tinted photo of flowers

Rachel and Penny, two teenagers who have Down syndrome, give each other a hug

person walking away from the camera up a mountain path with a valley below

gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of Matt Croasmun, the book cover of Life Worth Living, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear

painted effect over photo of crosswalk at sidewalk cutout

Peter and Amy Julia smile for a selfie while standing high above a valley

photo of a group of people sitting in a classroom with high ceilings and windows in a church and looking at a large screen with a video of Amy Julia

grasses silhouetted against sunset

dream like, close up photo of a daisy with a drop of water on a petal

Peter holds a baby Penny and points at the camera while Penny raises her arm in the air. They are standing in front of the ocean.

photo of the ocean and sky meeting in a grass-lined inlet

dark dramatic clouds

dark photo of the ocean with no horizon and flowers framing the bottom of the photo

dark horizon

French brick street

Amy Julia sits in a recording booth wearing head phones and smiling for a selfie

gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of Katherine May, the book cover of Enchantment, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear

Penny stands at a kitchen and slices tomatoes

two boys stand on a hill flying a kite

colorful kindergarten classroom

photo of a school bus seen through a rain-covered window

outdoor family photo of Amy Julia's family 11 years ago

geese flying through the sky in a v formation

indoor photo of Penny smiling at the camera and wearing glasses and a salmon coat

mosaic background behind an outdoor photo of Amy Julia's family. They are wearing coats and sweatshirts

photo of pile of books mentioned in post

mosaic background behind a photo of William, Marilee, and Penny sitting on a bench in front of a body of water with city buildings in the distance

dark photo of a barely visible Chicago taken from a plane over Lake Michigan

gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of Jillian Benfield, the book cover of The Gift of the Unexpected, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear

mosaic background behind a photo of Penny smiling off camera at her dad who is holding her hand

3 kids sit in a living room holding mobile devices and looking at the camera

baby Penny standing and Peter crouching in the sand with the tide washing around their feet

bookshelves lined with books

blue-tinted dandelion background behind the cover of the PDF resource 7 Healing Practices

mosaic background behind a photo of Amy Julia smiles and stands against a white wall and points to a copy of To Be Made Well that she is holding

mosaic background behind a graphic with 5 books covers of the books mentioned in the post for the giveaway

mosaic background behind a photo of amy Julia with four grown-up friends posing with her for a selfie

mosaic background behind a photo of one-year-old Penny raising her arms above her head. She is sitting in a high chair with cake on the tray.

photo of an eagle flying over trees

white church steeple against a dark blue sky with a rainbow behind

gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of Lindsey Medford, the book cover of My Body and Other Crumbling Empires, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear

Peter and Penny lean towards each other across a table

mosaic background behind a photo of Amy Julia's family stands in a single file line on a path high above a valley

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The image is a book cover with the title "From Exclusion to Belonging" by Amy Julia Becker. The cover features a group of four smiling teenagers, including a young woman with Down syndrome in the center. They are dressed in casual clothing and appear to be in an outdoor setting with a blurred background of greenery. The design includes a torn paper effect separating the title text from the image. The title text is in a clean, modern font with "FROM EXCLUSION" at the top and "TO BELONGING" at the bottom, with the author's name displayed below.

From Exclusion to Belonging

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