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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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photo of a Bible open to the first page of Leviticus

photo of golden grasses sticking up through snow

mosaic background behind a photo of Penny sitting at a desk and typing an email

photo of brown paper ripped back to reveal the word history

mosaic filter over a photo of snow-covered cedar trees stretching through a snowy field

mosaic background behind a photo of Amy Julia sitting in her office and smiling for a selfie

mosaic filter over a photo of a empty wheelchair in an auditorium

mosaic background with photo of Penny and her former babysitter Linnea giving each other a side hug in front of a yellow door

photo of a cross drawn in a pile of ash

gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of Patricia Raybon, the book cover of Double the Lies, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear

windel filter over photo of spruce branches covered in snow

mosaic background behind a photo of Amy Julia's family eating dinner together

dark graphic with golden, glowing lights strung through the middle

mosaic background behind a photo of Penny, who is a cheerleader at a basketball game

mosaic background with photo of Peter and Amy Julie smiling for a selfie and standing next to a cottage with a glowing window and the ocean behind them.

mosaic background with photo of Peter and Amy Julia smile for a selfie. They are wearing ski goggles and there is a snowy slope behind them

mosaic background with a photo of Penny and her ski instructor facing each other and skiing

windel filter over a photo of a sunset over a snowy lake

Windel filter over photo of the pool of Bethesda mentioned in John 5

gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of David M. Bailey and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear

mosaic background with photo of Amy Julia and her young children stand outside in front of a wood-slat wall.

mosaic background with a photo of Amy Julia and young Penny sitting in a carriage in the middle of a city

mosaic filter and the cover of the Netflix film Heroin(e)

mosaic filter over a drawing of a person using a wheelchair with another person reaching out their hand

graphic with Black literature book covers of The Warmth of Other Suns, Strength to Love, Beloved, Walking with the Wind, and Sing, Unburied, Sing

mosaic filter over a photo of tall grasses sticking out of snow and snow-covered trees in the background

mosaic filter on background with photo of Amy Julia and Penny smile and take a selfie in front of BeanZ and Co. "Where Everyone Belongs" is stenciled on the glass door behind them

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

mosaic filter over stack of books and picture of Amy Julia looking at her phone

mosaic filter over a photo of crayons on top of a picture of a sketched flower

gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of Dr. Haider Warraich, the book cover of In Good Time, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear.

mosaic filter over background image with a picture overlay of the cover of Domestic Monastery

mosaic filter over a photo of a woman hugging her knees and burying her face in her arms

mosaic filter over photo of hands holding hands

statue in a park of Martin Luther King Jr standing holding a Bible

Amy Julia stands on the glass-encased floor of One Vanderbilt. Her mouth and eyes are wide open and she looks up at a camera high above her.

mosaic filter over a drawing of children raising up their arms as a header photo for the false message about disability

mosiac filter over background photo with a photo in the middle of the graphic of Penny and Katherine Wolf giving each other a hug and text from essay that says And You Will Be Blessed

gradient blue graphic with the cover of the PDF resource: Books About God's Logic of Disability

gradient blue graphic with cutout pictures of Jen Pollock Michel, the book cover of In Good Time, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear.

painted filter over a photo of an alarm clock on a desk next to a laptop

Penny and William hold hands and walk up a dirt, mountain path lined by brush

painted filter over a photo of a stack of books about disability

gray graphic with the cover of the Lenten Bible study in the middle of the graphic

mosaic filter over a picture of note cards, mug and notebook

graphic with mosaic filter background over a magazine page photo and a photo overlay of the magazine page

painted filter over church steeple picture

mosaic dancer background with a picture overlay of Penny smiling at the camera and wearing a peach dress for homecoming

mosaic background with gray graphic with blue text that says Favorite Books I Read in 2022 and book covers of: Everything Sad Is Untrue, Unbound, The Midnight Library, Surrender, The Spiritual Child

two-toned blue graphic with text that says Favorite Shows and Movies We Watched in 2022, and covers of: Abbott Elementary, Borgen, Occupied, Don't Look Up, Encanto, and CODA

gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of James K. A. Smith, the book cover of How to Inhabit Time, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear

painted overlay on picture of geese flying through bare tree branches

pine cone on a pine tree with painting overlay

painting filter over a picture a Christmas tree that fell over

screenshot of Christianity Today essay: From Holistic Health to a Holistic Gospel

penny on stage with a blue backdrop

blue graphic with a drawing of Mary holding baby Jesus in a stable

In Good Time book cover on top of stain glass graphic

gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of Bekah McNeel, the book cover of Bringing Up Kids When the Church Lets You Down, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear.

painted filter over stormy clouds

painted filter over photo of wreath hanging on a door

painting filter on photo of desk with coffee mug, notebook and pen, the book To Be Made Well, and a phone with Amy Julia video teaching on screen.

painting effect on picture of snowy cedar branches backlit by sunrise

stream and trees photo with painting filter

distant winter sky and trees framed by cedar branches and bare tree branches

woman texting in the street with the sun setting behind her

graphic with a blurred background and covers of three things to watch: My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Wakanda Forever, and Occupied

gradient blue graphic with cover of free guide: Movements of Healing

graphic with 3 family pictures connected to Taft mentioned in Post

gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of Sharon Hodde Miller, the book cover of The Cost of Control, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear.

bare branches and cedar tree silhouetted against a night sky and bright moon

blurred fall leaves

bare, fall trees against a dark gray sky

Ducks on a lake at sunset

leaf-covered banks alongside a frozen stream in autumn

gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of Dr. Alison Cook, the book cover of The Best of You, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear.

misty olive trees

pajama pants tucked into socks and feet in slippers

screenshot of graphic for essay at Comment Magazine

graphic with blurred capital building and cut out photos of Michael Wear, Justin Giboney, David French, Tish Harrison Warren, Russell Moore, and Jemar Tisby

lone tree enshrouded in mist against a faint sunrise and framed by tree branches

blurred yellow autumn leaves

rocky lake landscape with setting sun

Amy Julia stands in the pulpit and preaches

door of old wooden house surrounded by slowly changing autumn leaves

gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of Ruth Haley Barton, the book cover of Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear with Amy Julia Becker

Peter helps Penny cross rocks over a stream

screenshot of Mother.ly essay: My daughter has Down syndrome, and her siblings are better for it

Amy Julia reads from her book Small Talk in celebration of its 8th birthday

William stands with his back to the camera and looks at a Ruby Bridges painting at the Norman Rockwell Museum

William and Penny stand on the beach at sunset with their arms around each other

Amy Julia sits on a tall chair, holds a mic, and is talking to an unseen audience

Tired Woman with Tea in Kitchen resting her head on her arms

covers of two pictures books with characters who have Down syndrome: Out Into the Big Wide Lake and Unbound

screenshot of IFS blog post with a graphic of a teen with Down syndrome wearing headphones and text from post caption

Penny stands at the stove making omelettes

gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of Willie James Jennings, the book cover of After Whiteness, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear with Amy Julia Becker

theater seats and closed curtain

Peter, Marilee, and Penny stand outside with their arms around each. They smile at the camera, and there are green fields and grass behind them.

white blankets

Prepare Him Room advent devotional on a white wooden table

maple keys in contrast with fall leaves

Penny stands at the front of church and is holding a mic

open Bible on a rock

Amy Julia takes a selfie outside with a green lawn behind her. She is wearing a bright pink shirt.

dark path covered in fall leaves

screenshot of Time essay: Where Are All the Children's Books Featuring Kids With Down Syndrome?

graphic with 9 picture books and memoirs about Down syndrome

gradient blue graphic with cutout picture of Heather Avis, the book cover of Everyone Belongs, and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear with Amy Julia Becker

hand holding a copy of White Picket Fences

Penny rests on her stomach on her bed reading a book that is propped on a pillow

Marilee and Amy Julia sit on a green couch and lean their heads together for a selfie

woman sitting by a window

screenshot of photo from motherly post: a mom at the beach with two children

A rustic high contrast still life of bread and wine, representing the Last Supper of Jesus

shoes walking on a path

two sailboats sailing on a sea towards the sunset

green chalkboard and stack of books

gradient blue graphic with text Love Is Stronger Than Fear with Amy Julia Becker and picture cutout of Lore Ferguson Wilbert and the book cover of A Curious Faith

dark blue sky with brilliant white clouds

Young child's hand Held by a Parent Outdoors

$colorful sunset reflection in lake$

the book Counting by 7s stacked on top of the book Wonder

window with green trees outside and framed by white curtain

Passengers on a train with screenshot overlay of NTY essay

ocean horizon

William, Penny, friend, and Marilee sit on a large rock with a forest far below them.

graphic with screenshot of NYT article about plaque with KKK figure at West Point

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

Marilee stands in front of the red brick John Brown home

gradient blue graphic with a cutout picture of Amy Julia, her arms folded in front of her, and text that says: Love Is Stronger Than Fear with Amy Julia Becker

Penny is wearing a dress and stands in front of flower bushes as she smiles at the camera.

Amy Julia and Penny take a selfie in the forest. They smile widely at the camera and lean their heads against each other

hand holding the book The Song of Our Scars

morning sunlight on hazy grasses

grasses against a pale, hazy horizon

Panoramic Photography of Green Field and dark blue sky

William and Amy Julia stand together in front of the ocean and smile widely

Amy Julia stands at a pulpit and preaches.

graphic with covers of three Bible studies mentioned in blog post

Amy Julia and family stand together on the beach with their arms around each other and the ocean in the background

crevice in rocks

children's shadows on a sidewalk

William sits in a van. He wears a blue hat that says, "It's my birthday."

Amy Julia and Peter sit across from each other at a table in a breakfast nook. They both have laptops open in front of them.

close up of calendar on the green table background,

box full of a bulk order of To Be Made Well books

Penny and her friend Rachel give each other a hug in a parking lot

Amy Julia preaches from a pulpit in a church with lights suspended from a high, arched ceiling

dark blue sky with streaks of clouds

Sarah Leathers, Penny, Marilee, and Amy Julia take a picture together in a commercial kitchen

Jay and Katherine Wolf stand on either side of Amy Julia and Penny who stand at the front of the room and hug each other

Penny and a friend hold a welcome sign outside surrounded by other people and large bubbles

a yellow tube floating on water in a swimming pool

stone labyrinth out of the cathedral of Lucca Italy

a morning moon shines through teal clouds and is framed by the slight edge of cedar trees

beach houses with laundry strung between them

Penny stands next to Katherine. Their backs are to the camera facing musicians standing at mics.

Amy Julia sits on a tall chair next to a tall table with paintings in the background. She is speaking to an unseen group of people.

screen shot of cover photo on Ann Voskamp's blog with a cross, beads, and stones

blue waves of the sea and sky

Penny, William, and Marilee stand in front of a schooner on a sunny day

Penny and her dad sitting on a sailboat surrounded by the blue ocean

pink flowers on a table in a beach house in front of a window looking out at the ocean and surrounded by chairs

gradient blue graphic with logos for Englewood Review of Books and the Presbyterian Outlook

gradient blue graphic with pictures of Amy Julia Becker and Dr. John Swinton, the book cover of Becoming Friends of Time and text that says Love Is Stronger Than Fear

William stands behind Marilee with his arms around her. They are both wearing red t-shirts. Marilee wears a red hat, and William wears a red wig.

single purple flower in the darkness

A stack of 3 books sits on a white staircase - The Sea of Tranquility, Horse, and The Madness of Crowds

Amy Julia stands in front of a window and teaches

a blue lake meets a stormy horizon

flowers at sunset

and holds a cupcake with white frosting and "William" written in blue frosting

Amy Julia and family stand close together for a family picture outside

The Juneteenth flag, which is the star of Texas on a blue and red background

gradient blue graphic with endorsement from David Bailey for To Be Made Well: "Whether sickness is in our body, our soul, or society, we are either presently ill, recovering from illness, or on the way to being ill. This book will better equip you both for your journey in the healing process and to be an agent of healing."

Penny is dancing on stage in a pink ballet costume. The picture was taken when she was several years younger.

gradient blue graphic with Love Is Stronger Than Fear podcast text, cover of The Race-Wise Family, pictures of Helen Lee and Amy Julia

Penny raises her arms in a cheer in front of a hedge of greenery

Penny and Marilee sit on a white bed and Amy Julia stands next to it. They are folding clothes and smiling at the camera.

blue, starry night graphic with the cover of The Midnight Library

gradient blue graphic with quote from To Be Made Well that says: We are constantly invited into the the healing love of God.

Amy Julia points to a map outside while her children gather around her and look at the map

Winding Road in Forest

Penny and Elizabeth sit on the porch and smile at the camera. They are ready to paint their toenails.

blue graphic newspaper text overlay and screenshots of podcasts and essays about the ambiguities of abortion

gradient blue graphic with quote graphic from post caption and picture of Lore Ferguson Wilbert smiling at the camera

gradient blue graphic with pictures of Amy Julia speaking, Amy Julia taking a selfie in front a lake, and her three kids standing outside with their arms around each other

gradient blue graphic with Love Is Stronger Than fear podcast text, cover of My Body Is Not a Prayer Request, Amy Kenny sitting in a wheelchair with her chin in her hand, and Amy Julia looking at the camera with her arms crossed in front of her

water flowing over rocks

Penny dances on stage with other ballet dancers. Blue lights light up the stage backdrop.

Frangipani flowers and light

dark window in a building

gradient blue graphic with cover of To Be Made Well audiobook

screenshots of essays mentioned in post on a blue background

a copy of To Be Made Well rests on a seat tray on an airplane

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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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