Body and Soul, She Is Marvelously Made
When my daughter was born with Down syndrome, our friends came to visit us at the hospital. Our oldest daughter was staying with them and they had brought Ellie to meet her baby sister. Our friends brought their daughter along too, she was the same age as our oldest,...
Confessions of a Special Needs Parent: It Will Be Hard to Let Go
“Mom, I marry Luke.” Nichole said. “Luke from the show Jessie?” I said. “Yes. Luke my prince. That my house.” She said pointing at a house as we drove to school. “That’s going to be your house?” “Yes.” “Wait, you’re not going to live with mom and dad?” “No mom....
How She Is Her Best Advocate
Nichole walked into the eye clinic ready to get her glasses fixed – she knew what to do – she sat at the open desk before one of the two attendants who work there and smiled. This was a new attendant to us, one we had never worked with before. I recognized...
As I Do – A Poem For My Brother Who Has Down Syndrome
Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Ashlyn Klinkradt. Ashlyn s 12 years old and she wrote this poem about her brother, David, who has Down syndrome. As I Do – by Ashely Klinkradt Do you see him as I do? With a smile on his face. Or is he too different...
You Are a Gift To Celebrate
Editor’s note: Today’s post is a personal letter for my daughter. It is her birthday, and every year on her birthday I think about the journey we have been on. When she was born eight years ago her diagnosis of Down syndrome felt like a tragedy. I was...
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.