Quality of life: it’s a phrase we throw around like candy at a parade. What does it really mean, though? How do special needs parents advocate for the quality of life of their child in a way that allows her unique dignity to shine through? When do we allow the skills and objectives set by…
It is already getting warm outside when the vans start rolling into the parking lot. People stumble out, some giddy with excitement from a night of eager anticipation, others still rubbing the sleep from their eyes after a long drive. There are people of every age from infants in arms to septuagenarians, all coming together…
First, I want to start with the caveat that I am writing this as a mother of a special needs child with experience with one state’s services. My own experience may differ from yours, especially since support options differ state-to-state, so it will be important to check with your own state’s services. I also consider…
I have always felt a special love for St. Joseph. Our family adopted him as our patron saint when I was pregnant with our third child. However, now that we have two boys who have extensive medical and developmental disabilities, I feel even closer to St. Joseph as the perfect patron for parents of children…
Most of us have an idea of what motherhood “should” look like, but often times, that ideal doesn’t match with the version playing out in our real life. Especially when we are bombarded with images and videos of supposedly perfect families, Catholic or otherwise, who make us wonder, why don’t my children act like that?…
In order to bring our resources to a larger audience, Accepting the Gift has worked with a native Spanish speaker in our diocese to produce a Spanish language version of our popular Advocacy Toolkit. Like our English version, this resource is completely free and available to download from our Shop. It teaches: If you work…
Ash Wednesday is a sensory experience of something holy that’s hard to put into words. It’s a spiritual feeling made physical in the ashes that touch our foreheads. It’s a tactile reminder of the 40 days of Lent, when Catholics focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Remember you are dust and to dust you shall…
I must admit I felt intimidated writing this article. My husband and I have been married for 18 years, twelve of which have entailed caring for our special needs son. I am not going to pretend to have all the answers for a strong marriage under these circumstances, but these are some tips that have…
In 2017, my husband and I took our son to Lourdes, on a Hail Mary attempt (pun intended) to cure his incurable genetic disease. Reader, he was not cured of his incurable genetic disease. In all honesty, I undertook that pilgrimage out of spite and bitterness. My heart was hardened, almost (but not quite) irreparably….
The prayer of St. Carlo Acutis begins,“Oh God, Our Father,thank you for giving us Carlo,a life example for the youngand a message of love for everyone.” The devotion to St. Carlo Acutis is important for special needs families. Just as the prayer begins, he is a great example for young people and his “love for…
