RECENT POSTS
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S6 E13 | How a Mystery Series Tells Black History with Patricia Raybon
What is casual racism? How did a non-fiction writer end up writing a mystery series? Author Patricia Raybon talks with Amy Julia Becker about faith
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The Things Jesus Says About Himself
I’ve been kind of astonished lately at how Jesus talked about himself. Take this statement: Come to me all you who are weary, and I
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Family Dinner Questions
I’m always on the lookout for good table questions for family dinners. Recently, we asked: “What’s one area of your life that feels easy right
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Overcoming My Skepticism About Night to Shine
I felt pretty skeptical about Night to Shine. If you aren’t familiar with this event, it’s an annual gathering for teenagers (and adults) with disabilities,
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What Is a Disabled Life Worth?
What is a disabled life worth? Every so often, people accidentally say the thing out loud. In this case, it was the Democratic Committee Chair
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Some Thoughts on Down Syndrome and Cheerleading
One of my shining moments as a mother was forcing Penny to try out for cheerleading last year. I told her she didn’t have to
![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.](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ajb-3-questions-that-helped-our-marriage-1024x402.png)
3 Questions We Asked That Really Helped Our Marriage
Peter and I weathered a storm last year. It wasn’t one particular thing. It was years of being too busy to bring up the little
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My Personal Ski Adventure
So I told you the story of Penny skiing and how it showed me yet again what love and community and belonging—even within a family—can
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Skiing, Disability, and Love
So here’s a sentence I didn’t think I would ever type: we went skiing as a family. I have not been skiing in over twenty
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The Power of Saying Thank You
One way to make your day better today: say thank you. One way to make another person’s day better today: say thank you. It’s one
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Is John 5 Ableist?
I’m grateful for questions from readers, and here’s a question asking how to teach John 5 in a way that isn’t ableist: Question: Is John
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S6 E12 | How to Cultivate Racial Healing with David M. Bailey
In the wake of Tyre Nichols’ death in Memphis, David M. Bailey, founder of Arrabon, talks with Amy Julia Becker about the long, deep,
![mosaic background with photo of Amy Julia and her young children stand outside in front of a wood-slat wall.](https://amyjuliabecker.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ajb-balancing-the-needs-of-the-family-1024x402.png)
When One Child Needs More Attention
I’ve been receiving some great questions from readers lately, and I wanted to share my answers to some of the questions that might apply to
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3 Pieces of Advice for Parents of a Child With Down Syndrome
I have some advice for you! Here are three things I would do differently as the parent of a child with Down syndrome: 1. Pay
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Heroin(e): We Are All Broken and Beautiful
I’m lying in my bed today because I just had oral surgery. It’s not a big deal, but the anesthesia wipes me out, and it
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False Message: Disability is an inspiration.
Disability is NOT an inspiration. FALSE MESSAGE: Disability is an inspiration to make other people feel good. WHERE THIS FALSE MESSAGE SHOWS UP: Books. Magazines.
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Reading Black Literature as American Literature
I first read Toni Morrison’s Beloved in high school. It was one of the only books I had ever read by a Black author. I
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Active Listening in the Wake of Tyre Nichols
In the wake of the violent death of Tyre Nichols – a young man who died as a result of injuries sustained due to a