RECENT POSTS
Inclusion vs the Real World
I’ve had to learn not to sacrifice our daughter on the altar of my ideology. When Penny was a toddler, I read an article about
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What do I think about the new Barbie with Down syndrome? I was a little skeptical at first. She isn’t wearing glasses, which most people
The Gift of Hope Heals
My heart is so full of gratitude and wonder. I had the great honor of spending the past few days with my friends from Hope
7 Things I’m Loving Right Now
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What an Assessment of My Daughter’s Life Tells Me About Us
Every few years, Penny goes through a series of tests to determine the extent of her disability and, therefore, what services she is eligible to
Making Hard Decisions With Love, Not Fear
Every day brings with it little hard parenting decisions. And every day I’m not sure at all that I get them right. Recently, I’ve decided
Some People Are Awesome
We’ve encountered our fair share of subtle discrimination over the years. The people who talk to me as if Penny isn’t present. The professionals who
Family Hikes Are Like Family Itself
At least one of them complains every single time. Whether it is a stroll by a river or a hike up a mountain or something
Living in Spiritual, and Therefore Material, Reality
It can seem as though the spiritual world and the material world are in tension. That we can have one or the other. We can’t
3 Things I’m (Still) Learning About Down Syndrome
Penny was on spring break last week. Our original hopes for a quick trip to Jamaica never materialized, but we did get to spend two
The Narrow Way to a Spacious Place
I’ve always felt a bit uncomfortable with Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road
S6 E17 | Questions for a Life Worth Living with Matt Croasmun
What should you hope for? What’s worth investing your life in? How do you define and create a flourishing life? Matt Croasmun, co-author of Life
Economics of Disability
As taxpayers, we pay for lots of stuff. Our taxpayer dollars pay for teachers and firefighters and road repairs and mayors and tanks and bombs
Turning 46
We celebrated my 46th birthday last week. I have a friend who holds up a sign that indicates his age in every birthday photo now.
I Love Hearing From Groups Using To Be Made Well!
I love hearing from the groups around the country who are reading and discussing To Be Made Well, and it is always a joy to
Addressing our Mental Health Crisis
I am kind of obsessed with Dr. Lisa Miller right now. I read her 2015 book, The Spiritual Child, a few months back. And then
Becoming a Culture of Belonging
How do you know if your community is a place of belonging? Professor Erik Carter has articulated ten “dimensions of belonging.” He created this model
Down Syndrome’s “Exclusive Club”
I remember a day 17 years ago when Peter and I had spent hours with Penny at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. We were exhausted.
10 Ways to Practice Resurrection
Yesterday we stood in church and sang Alleluia, and afterwards we gathered with friends and feasted and drank champagne and rejoiced with this day of
Easter| Love Is Life
Love is the strongest power. Love is the core of the universe. Love is the only unending, unshakable, permanent truth. Love is life. Love is
Hope on Holy Saturday
There is a space that stretches between despair and joy. A painful moment. Of waiting. Of uncertainty. Of fear and grief and doubt tinged with
