RECENT POSTS
Stop and Watch the Bears
I never thought I would be a person with bear cubs in the backyard… I could watch these little ones all day. Our life is
Penny in Her Own Words: Senior Trip
Life for our 18-year-old with Down syndrome isn’t perfect, but it is good. Penny just spent three days with her class on their senior spring
Our Love for Each Other Matters Most
What matters most is our love for each other. Yesterday I had a chance to meet with two different groups of people from around the
S7 E15 | Bringing Politics Under the Power of Love with Michael Wear
Apple YouTube Spotify More! We are heading into another contentious Presidential election. For people of faith, for people who care about character and gentleness
April 2024 Favorites
I’ve had a chance to read and listen to lots of people. Here’s a hodgepodge of recommendations that includes 1 book, 2 podcasts, and 3 articles I’ve appreciated lately.
Hope Heals Board Retreat
I have the great honor of serving on the Board of Hope Heals. What a gift to spend 36 hours with these fellow Board members
The Highs are Higher
“The highs are higher and the lows are lower.” Peter and I used to say that a lot about having a child with Down syndrome.
Denied Treatment and Education?!?
“People with developmental disabilities were granted the legal right to treatment in 1974…” –Exhibit Traces ‘Unfinished Journey’ Of Those With IDD Okay, wait. I know
Prioritize Relationships
I gave our daughter Penny two choices for her senior year spring break—the Bahamas (where she has always wanted to go) or Atlanta. She chose
Connecting With People in Real Life | Festival of Faith & Writing
I don’t know how to capture the experience of the Festival of Faith and Writing last week. Of course, I listened to compelling speakers. And
S7 E14 | How to Honor Limits in a World That Doesn’t with Micha Boyett
Apple YouTube Spotify More! What’s the difference between limitations and brokenness? What does it mean to be blessed? How can a dual diagnosis of Down
Provide Opportunities, Assume Possibility
Penny fell behind in ballet earlier this year. During cheer season, she missed a lot of classes and rehearsals. She also (unbeknownst to me) started
Let’s Drop “Low/High Functioning”
I was totally taken aback the first time someone asked me if our daughter Penny was low functioning. I didn’t want to talk about any
Penny Goes to College
Most people say that kids with intellectual disabilities fall off a cliff when they turn 18 and complete their time in high school. Even though
What Olivia Rodrigo’s Concert and the Eclipse Have (and Don’t Have) in Common
On Saturday night, I took Marilee and two friends to see Olivia Rodrigo at Madison Square Garden. On Monday, I lay on a dock on
Employment in Churches for People With Disabilities
Unemployment is one of the biggest challenges faced by disabled adults. And while there are all sorts of things we as a society can (and
Training in Love
What if the hardships we face could be seen as training in love? I’ve been reading John Mark Comer’s latest book, Practicing the Way. He
Turning 47
47 is not a milestone birthday. We didn’t have a party. I didn’t receive any extraordinary gifts. I did, however, receive a pair of the
Honoring Women’s Hard Choices
When it comes to prenatal testing and disability, there are two extremes. One is the thought that a prenatal diagnosis of a disability like Down
S7 E 13 | When Your Church and Political Group Turn on You with Nancy French
Apple YouTube Spotify More! {Please note that we discuss abuse in this episode.}How do we love people across our political and social divides? What are
God Loves You
God loves you. It’s the most basic message. It is central to the entire Bible. It is central to Jesus’ teachings. It is central— foundational—to
