RECENT POSTS
A Friendship “Pile-Up of Goodness” in Our House
Anyone who has read this newsletter or followed me on social media knows that I have been beating a drum of taking one small step1 at a time toward a
What do we do when we’re preoccupied with ourselves?
If you’ve been around here for awhile, you probably know I think a lot about what makes life good and what gets in the way
From Frustration to Connection: The Power of Proximity in Disability Parenting
TAKE THE NEXT STEP PODCAST E10 — If your home feels tense or chaotic, connection might be a missing piece. Recording artist Sho Baraka joins
COGNOSCENTI | What prenatal testing can’t tell you
Having a child with Down syndrome has been an irrational, unprovable good. In a world of increasing mechanization, measurement and merit, we need people like
How to Break the Self-Improvement Cycle
REIMAGINING THE GOOD LIFE PODCAST S9 E4 — What if real freedom doesn’t come from more self-esteem—but from self-forgetfulness? Amy Julia Becker and author and
What’s Happening to Special Education Right Now Is Alarming
I’ve watched, in my own lifetime, how educational access has increased for kids with Down syndrome and other disabilities. Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has also
Responding to Cringey Questions Without Oversharing Your Child’s Disability Story
When people don’t understand your child’s disability—or when they make comments or ask questions that cross a line—it can be tricky to know how to
How to Handle Awkward Questions About Disability
TAKE THE NEXT STEP PODCAST E9 — Awkward questions about disability happen. Here’s how parents can respond. Carrie Hahn, a pediatric speech-language pathologist and mother,
When a school asked, “Who’s missing at the game?” the whole community changed.
This Alabama high school’s decision to create a sensory-friendly section at their football games offers a beautiful glimpse of what a world of belonging looks
The Help Disability Parents Actually Need (But Rarely Ask For)
TAKE THE NEXT STEP PODCAST E8 — Asking for help shouldn’t feel impossible. In this episode, Jordan Arogeti, CEO of SupportNow, joins Amy Julia Becker
Grief and a Disability Diagnosis
Grief. Guilt. Exhaustion. I’ve heard lately from parents who are tired, grieving, hopeful, and wondering how to keep moving forward. Matthew Lyle Mooney joined me
You Were Never Meant to Do It All
REIMAGINING THE GOOD LIFE PODCAST S9 E3 — What is the good life? Is it a life marked by money and success and achievement? Or a
October 2025 | Things Worth Your Time
Books, essays, podcast episodes, and more that I think are worth your time, plus recent cultural news that I’m paying attention to in the month
What If I’m Just Exhausted? {Questions from Disability Parents}
TAKE THE NEXT STEP PODCAST E7 — Q+R: How do I take care of myself and avoid burnout? How do I make sure siblings aren’t overlooked?
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?
