If You’re a Parent Who Has Received a Hard Diagnosis About Your Child
If you are a parent who has recently received a hard diagnosis about your child, I have three thoughts that I want to offer. One, feel your feelings. When we…
Friendship Forms Durable Hope
What do I do? People in my family received a terminal diagnosis for their child. What do I do? A woman recently emailed me this question. When I wrote her…
S7 E5 | Finding Hope in the Dark with Curt Thompson, MD
Apple YouTube Spotify More! How do we show up for each other in the midst of pain? Is it possible to hope when we’re suffering? Psychiatrist Curt Thompson, author of…
3 Ways to Find an Ordinary Church
We need to go back to church. I feel like a little old lady wagging a scolding finger when I write that, and the last thing I want to do…
The Significance of Our Social Worlds
I’m taking a class right now where I’m learning all sorts of things about transitioning from high school to college or the workforce and beyond. Recently, our instructor mentioned that…
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. But he needed to attend…
I’m a Denominational Mutt
When it comes to Christianity, I am a denominational mutt. I was baptized as an infant in an Episcopal church. I was confirmed as a tween in a Presbyterian one.…
You Can Be the Person Who Makes a Difference
I walked into the gym a few minutes late. Penny was perched on the sidelines along with the other cheerleaders. The boys’ basketball team had taken a slight lead. I…
Finding Places Where Everyone Belongs
Where everyone belongs. That’s the dream. That’s the hope. That’s the space and the community and the future we long for. Sometimes we catch glimpses of it. Penny and I…
Disability and Respect: Look Her in the Eye
I’m so grateful for the technician at the eye doctor appointment who assumes that Penny can speak for herself. I’m also aware of how surprised I feel that this young…
