RECENT POSTS
PSA: Trick-or-Treating and Disability
As I think about Halloween, I keep coming back to what makes it so magical for our kids—not just costumes and candy, but being part
Does Dementia Diminish the Image of God?
Does dementia diminish our worth? What happens to the image of God in us when a mind changes, fades, or forgets? Is disability the same
“I’m so delighted that my kids have Down syndrome.”
“I’m so delighted in the fact that my kids have Down syndrome and that I get to know them and love them. It feels like
From Deficit to Delight: Changing the Disability Narrative
TAKE THE NEXT STEP PODCAST E6 — What if one powerful way to advocate for your child is simply to delight in who they are?
When the Church Tries to Fix What God Calls Good
REIMAGINING THE GOOD LIFE PODCAST S9 E2—What if disability isn’t something to fix, but a way to see God and one another more clearly? Theologian
Why I’ve Been Silent This Down Syndrome Awareness Month
It’s the middle of October, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and I have done nothing to acknowledge this fact. We didn’t walk in a Buddy Walk.
Disability & Belonging: “We Aren’t Us Without You”
TAKE THE NEXT STEP PODCAST We all long to belong. But for many families experiencing disability, true belonging can feel out of reach. In this
When You Want More for Your Family (and Your Life)
I would like to wave a magic wand and make the pain and discomfort of this life go away. And yes, I mean that in
10 Dimensions of Belonging
10 Dimensions of Belonging created by Erik Carter In a recent conversation, Erik says: Early in our research, we wanted to understand what it really
Disability & Family: The Yes/No Filter Every Parent Needs
TAKE THE NEXT STEP PODCAST Overwhelmed by therapies, appointments, and never-ending “to-dos”? Author Jillian Benfield shares practical tools for families experiencing disability—offering parents guidance on
How Do You Know Your Calling?
REIMAGINING THE GOOD LIFE PODCAST Some people get paid to do what they love, but most don’t. How can we find meaning in everyday work
Lonely as a Parent? How to Build Real Friendships
This summer, I spent a lot of time with families experiencing disability, and again and again, parents told me they feel lonely and disconnected. Sometimes,
Choosing Hospitality Over Isolation
Growing up in a household with two wheelchairs, Kevan Chandler experienced firsthand the challenges, and the choices, that shape how a family navigates disability. Kevan
Creating Belonging in Diverse Communities
I wrote a few weeks ago about curiosity as an act of belonging. I also had a chance to go to Baylor University for a few lovely days of
The Hospitality of Need: Disability and Interdependence
TAKE THE NEXT STEP PODCAST Many of us don’t want to ask for help, but what if being needful isn’t weakness but a doorway to
Reimagining the Good Life: What’s Coming This Season
REIMAGINING THE GOOD LIFE PODCAST What really makes life worth living? This season on Reimagining the Good Life, Amy Julia Becker dives into the ideas, assumptions,
Parenting with Joy: Why Self-Care Helps You Delight in Your Children
Here’s a question I’ve been sitting with lately: Can we truly delight in our children if we don’t know what it means to delight in
Focus on Delight, Not Deficits
I thought my job as a mom was to fix the deficits. Instead, I was missing the delight. On this week’s podcast, I talked with
Parenting Kids with Disabilities: The Power of Delight
TAKE THE NEXT STEP PODCAST What if delight is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child? In this episode, Amy Julia Becker talks with
Beyond False Promises About Autism: What Families Actually Need
I’m pondering President Trump’s words about autism and autism research this week. He tapped into some of the pain that many parents and individuals within
One Step at a Time: Finding Hope in the Overwhelm
When our daughter who has Down syndrome turned 18, I felt completely overwhelmed. Those months were filled with Social Security questions. Paperwork. The unknown. It
