Exploring Special Needs with Connie Hughey & a Giveaway too! :-)
Do you have a special needs child in your life? Or does someone close to you? If so, you are gonna love today’s post!
Our extended family on both sides includes some special needs children and adults. My close friend Tammy adopted twin boys 15 years ago, one who has Down’s Syndrome along with other special needs. I often ponder how to best help people living day-to-day with this issue. Perhaps you do too.
Meet my sweet cyber friend Connie Hughey as she shares from her heart on this topic and offers a giveaway too. You can learn more about Connie at her encouraging blog www.inthewaitingroom.net.
Now, meet Connie!
When I gave my life to the Lord at the age of 19 I never could have imagined the direction He would take me in as I grew in my faith. I always wanted to be a wife and mother. I never expected that one day I would be raising a child with special needs.
This summer my husband, Mark, and I will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. We are the parents of two great kids, John Mark (26) and Alyssa (24), and we live in Bolingbrook, a Chicago suburb, where Mark is a senior pastor.
Our son, John Mark, was born with a complex genetic birth defect called DiGeorge Syndrome that includes Spina Bifida and ulcerative colitis, along with many other physical and developmental challenges which have required a lifetime of medical care.
Connie, what is life like at your house these days?
John Mark and I spend most of our days together because he cannot be left alone due to a seizure disorder. Since he is an extrovert, he thrives on getting out of the house to go to Sunday services, youth group and any other church activities that are available. So, I am his personal chauffeur!
Right now we are very excited about a five week trip that we are taking ’out West’ this spring. After being in full time ministry for the past 26 years my husband is taking a sabbatical, which is extended time away from the daily demands of ministry and preaching. Our trip will include visiting family and friends, and taking our time exploring the western part of the US.
You spend a great deal of time raising a special needs child. What is important to remember when trying to accomplish that oft times difficult venture?
It is most important for me to remember who I am serving when I am caring for John Mark.
Four years ago, as I sat in the hospital at John Mark’s bedside, I cried as I tried to come to terms with a new medical diagnosis he had just received. As I prayed the Lord brought a picture to my mind. It was of two men standing next to each other talking, one I knew to be Jesus and the other was John Mark.
In that instant I understood that John Mark was Jesus’ trusted friend and that he had something special to do for the Lord. This picture spoke powerfully to me. It helped me to understand that John Mark has a specific God-given purpose to fulfill while he is on this earth.
So, this is the person I am caring for on a daily basis. I am here to help John Mark do the things God created him to do.
John Mark’s life doesn’t look the same as most 26 year olds. He will never go to college, never marry and have children, and is unable to work in a full time career, yet his life is just as valuable to the Lord as anyone else’s.
How can we help those who are in the midst of rearing special needs children? What are some practical things we can do to lighten their load?
Being the parent of a special needs child can be a very isolating experience, causing us to feel alone. We need you to reach out to us and let us know that you care.
One way that we have been cared for by our friends is when they have offered to spend time with John Mark so we can go out on a date, a blessing for us since so much of our time is spent with our son.
Don‘t be afraid to ask how things are going…and when we tell you, listen to what we have to say. When you listen you are allowing us to share our burdens and cares with you, and that is a tremendous blessing to us. And you don’t even have to give us any answers. We just need someone to hear what we are going through.
If you know that a parent has a child in the hospital look for practical ways to help, like offering to baby-sit for their other children, taking care of their pets, getting their mail, checking on their house, watering their garden. One year John Mark was in the hospital for 12 weeks, and we were blessed to have friends care for our dog while we were away.
Most importantly, pray for them. As a family, we have gone through some very difficult times while caring for John Mark. Just knowing that there were people praying for us really did make a difference to us.
How does your walk with Christ mesh with your quest to be an effective parent?
I am able to be an effective parent because of my relationship with Jesus. He sets the direction and gives purpose to my parenting. I could never do it without Him.
If I am not close to Him I am ineffective, because I just wind up trying to meet my family’s needs in my own strength and that never turns out well. So, I really have to take time for the Lord and make sure that I am hearing what He has to say to me in His Word.
Any encouragement you’d like to offer women out there who too are in the thick of raising a special needs child?
When things get tough, please don’t give up…on your child, your marriage, your life, your faith and most of all, don’t give up on God.
All that you are doing is totally worth it because you are caring for someone very special to Him. He knows how rough it can get sometimes, and He promises in His Word to never leave you alone to do it all by yourself.
This Bible passage has been a great encouragement to me during especially difficult times… I pray that it will be the same for you.
‘The God who made you in the first place, Jacob,
the One who got you started, Israel:
Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.
I’ve called your name. You’re mine.
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
it won’t be a dead end
Because I am your God, your personal God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.’
Isaiah 43:1-3 (The Message)
The very God who made you and your child knows you both personally, understands what you are facing and will be there to help you get through it…all very good reasons to keep going!
Connie’s Giveaway
‘A Different Dream for My Child’, by Jolene Philo, is a very special devotional book written for parents of critically ill and chronically ill children. Her experiences with her own son’s early medical problems created in her a deep desire to reach out to others who face similar circumstances. She has created a website, Different Dream, that is a great resource for families.
Connie is giving away a copy of this book and including a $10 Starbucks card.
So, here is the question: Do you have a child or adult with special needs in your life, whether your own child, a relative or friend? How has knowing this person affected your life?
If you don’t have time to answer the question but would still like to be included in the drawing just say ‘I’m in!’. Winner announced Monday.
Please leave your comment here but be sure to visit Connie’s blog and the Different Dream website she recommends too.
Special Blessings,
Hello, after reading this amazing article i am as well cheerful to share my experience here with colleagues.
According to statistics compiled for the Internet Retailer
Top 400 Guide, the top retailers in 2004 garnered combined online sales of more than US$ 51 billion,
which accounts for 58. The Ford Focus was the best-selling car in the United
Kingdom for January 2011. Remember to take you time , follow the manufacturers instructions
and have realistic expectations of a car scratch repair products potential.
It’s great in desserts as long as it is 100% barley and doesn’t have anything else such as corn syrup added to it.
They are the purest: they contain the most nutrients and least pollutants.
These plots of different sizes are interconnected with a 12 meter and a 24 meter wide
road.
A pumice stone works wonders at removing rust
stains from porcelain. While we’re in the kitchen a few words about the
rest of the tools, when you cook you can save electricity by preparing two meals
at the same time in the oven. Having pictures and videos is one of the best ways to
let your potential clients know that you are capable of
getting the job done.
1) Clean the house top to bottom before the carpet cleaning service visit.
These products are eco-friendly and actually are proven
to be more effective than manufactured carpet cleaners.
Having pictures and videos is one of the best ways to let your potential
clients know that you are capable of getting the job done.
Some industries sometimes need to cut metals and other things with
high levels of precision. Cycle time of a machine can be simply
measured by timing how long it takes from pressing the button
to start the cycle for the first workpiece to the pressing the next button for the
next workpiece. Importantly, any mounted diamonds
or jewels will be seated properly and are unlikely to fall out.
Laser hair removal has become a very common procedure for
both men and women. The spacing of procedures is recommended to give the follicles that were
in their “resting” state or not actively growing during your preceding procedure to get in
their active phase and grow hair. There are some
number of sessions generally depends on many parameters including the area of the body being treated
skin color coarseness of hair of body reason for hirsutism
and gender. It’s not much different then wearing black
in the sunlight. For this problem, laser revomal cost is not unreasonable, due to the problem covering only a small
area.
Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your web
site in internet explorer, may test this? IE still
is the marketplace chief and a large component of
other folks will omit your excellent writing because of this problem.
Yes! Finally someone writes about the art of self defense.
Great goods from you, man. I’ve be mindful your stuff previous to and you’re simply extremely
great. I really like what you have acquired right here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way by which you are saying it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to stay it smart. I cant wait to learn far more from you. That is really a terrific site.
Hello, i think that i noticed you visited my blog thus i got here to “return the choose”.I am trying to find issues to improve my website!I suppose its ok to make use of some of your ideas!!
Wonderful goods from you, man. I have keep in mind your stuff previous to and you’re simply too excellent. I really like what you’ve received here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which in which you say it. You are making it entertaining and you still care for to keep it smart. I cant wait to read much more from you. This is really a tremendous web site.
My 11 yr old son Logan suffers from autism, he is nonverbal, & incontinent. He suffers from sleep disorder. Life has been difficult, but God is my strength. My walk with Christ has become rich having to raise a special needs child, he is the youngest of my five sons. God has blessed us so much despite the hardships which are very hard!
I have a 32 year old son who is blind in his left eye, deaf in his right ear, is mentally handicapped, non-verbal, hyperactive, has autistic tendencies, has seizures, and was born with only one kidney, causes of above remain unknown. I am a Christian and wish more churches had families with special needs children/adults. Unfortunately, most don’t.
Thank you so much for introducing us to those you love and care for. I have been very encouraged by your stories, as well. Your service of love to these precious children does not go unnoticed. You are doing it for the Lord, and He sees that…and you bring Him great pleasure!
I think we all understand the feelings that were expressed about feeling lonely and that no one understands what we go through. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to talk further. I can be reached by email at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you, dear sisters!
My big boy is 17 now, his body has grown but being born with spastic quadraplegia cerebral palsy he is as dependent on me now as he was that first day he was born. His life has been one of immense struggle with seizures, chronic pneumonias, and surgery after surgery. He is the sun in my sky. Through it all, he greets each day with a smile that proves God is real, God keeps his promises, and God will never forsake us no matter what!
I have a 7 year old with Tourettes. He has changed my life in that I am a better parent and am learning about how to be the best person I can be. “I’m in!”
My son has Autism and just having him in our life has taught us so much about “living life a bit differently”. A lot of the best parts of my son has to do with his Autism. I thank God everyday that he gave us a child with special needs because he has taught us so much more about life than we ever thought possible.
I have a daughter who has PWS. Days are never easy but I wouldn’t trade her for anything.
Thank you so much for introducing us to those you love and care for. I have been very encouraged by your stories, as well. Your service of love to these precious children does not go unnoticed. You are doing it for the Lord, and He sees that…and you bring Him great pleasure!
I think we all understand the feelings that were expressed about feeling lonely and that no one understands what we go through. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to talk further. I can be reached by email at [email protected] or leave a message on my blog, In the Waiting Room at http://www.inthewaitingroom.net. I would love to hear from you, dear sisters!
My friend Carol would be blessed by this book as her precious child has many many challenges and she is an amazing Mom and advocate for him yet she is getting tired
Dear Karen,
This comment isn’t an entry in the contest to win the book. (As its author, I have plenty of copies here at home.) Rather, I want to thank you for featuring “A Different Dream for My Child” in your give away and for mentioning http://www.DifferentDream.com. Any assistance in getting the word to parents about this resource is appreciated!
You and your readers might like to know that my new book, “Different Dream Parenting: A Practical Guide to Raising a Child with Special Needs” will be released by Discovery House Publishers in October of 2011. It contains loads of resources, information, and advice for parents of kids with special needs. And it addresses the spiritual and parenting challenges unique to families of kids with special needs.
Once again, thanks for the mention. And I encourage the parents who have entered the drawing to visit http://www.DifferentDream.com. It’s a place for you to find resources, encouragement and like-minded parents facing challenges similar to yours.
Jolene
Our son, Jonathan, is a true gift from God. He was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus that was complicated by meningitis contracted during his birth. The doctors, after 7 weeks in the hospital, said that he would maybe live a year. We took him home, sought a second opinion, prayed a lot and Jonathan is now 14 years old!! Praise the lord. It has been 14 years filled with surgeries and hospitalizations but it has also been 14 years of absolute joy! Jonathan’s condition has allowed us to slow down in life and enjoy what is right in front of us without hurrying on past too fast. And we have met the most incredible people because of what our family has been through. I truly can say that we are thankful that God chose us to walk this road because we would not be the same if we hadn’t.
My neighbor’s daughter has seisure disorder and undiagnosed autism. I see the challenges that Lauren faces every day. If I will, I will give her the prize! She deserves it!
Thank you so much for introducing us to those you love and care for. I have been very encouraged by your stories, as well. Your service of love to these precious children does not go unnoticed. You are doing it for the Lord, and He sees that…and you bring Him great pleasure!
I think we all understand the feelings that were expressed about feeling lonely and that no one understands what we go through. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to talk further. I can be reached by email at [email protected] or leave a message on my blog, In the Waiting Room at http://www.inthewaitingroom.net. I would love to hear from you, dear sisters!