A celebration and a story of brokenness
Six years ago my second daughter was born with Down syndrome, she challenged what I viewed as perfect, worthy, important, and valuable in life. I had received her as a broken baby, only to quickly recognize that I was the broken one. The treasures I have discovered...
Does Down syndrome impact sibling relationships?
“Mom, sometimes, when I look at Nichole she is so cute that I feel like crying because my heart is so full of love.” There are times I look at my children and I feel overwhelmed because of the intense love I feel for them. It is a love so hard to contain that it...
When I conducted a stakeout: eloping
Operation: Stakeout Surveillance Suspect: ‘The Rascal’ Crime: Eloping (not the getting married kind, but rather the propensity to wander or bolt) Purpose: To gather evidence related to the criminal rascal activity Monday morning 8:23 am I almost break down in tears...
She has inspired me and changed my life
When my daughter Nichole was born, her diagnosis of Down syndrome hung over me like a heavy, wet blanket. It clung to me, robbing me from any feelings of love. My motherly instinct was nowhere to be found. I went through the motions of holding and nursing her because...
On her own terms
Strong willed children. I have one of those. Nichole –my daughter with Down syndrome – knows what she wants, when she wants it, how she wants it. She has no problem yelling at me, “No mom!” “Stop it!” “No way!” As hard as it is to understand her speech, those words...
Ellen Stumbo writes and speaks about finding beauty in brokenness with gritty honesty and openness. She's passionate about sharing the real – sometimes beautiful and sometimes ugly – aspects of faith, parenting, special needs, and adoption. Ellen’s writing has appeared on Focus on the Family, LifeWay, MomSense, Not Alone, Mamapedia and the Huffington Post.