Healing Stories

If God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly.


First thing this morning as I was browsing my Facebook news feed, I saw the statement above posted by a friend in Memphis.  I have no idea if it is her own words or a quote from someone.  But it smacked me right in the face.  That simple statement is so very true.  It screamed at me to have faith in God and things will be ok.  Maybe not exactly the ok that I am looking for, but the ok that God has planned for me.


It has been just over a year now that we found out about Laik's trisomy.  And still I have difficult days.  I'm certain, and have been told, that there will be many more.  I have read several books that have given me great hope for peace with our journey.
Each have been different, but each have been enlightening.  My "book club" friends haven't bought in to reading the books I am sharing, but all those women are in a different place than I am.  That is something I have realized, once I became the parent of a child with special needs, I too, became a bit different.  It is obvious, my current reading list, is very different now. Although different, I do want to share with my readers what books I have had my nose in lately. Who knows, someone may want to read some of them?!!?!

• Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid:  A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children"  by Gina Gallagher and Patricia Konjoian

This book was an impulse buy...I needed something to read and I googled "parenting special needs children" on my phone in the local Books A Million and this book was the first one to pop up!  I found it in the store and thumbed through it and decided on the spot to buy it.  Plus, I really liked the title!  The co-authors are sisters, that are hilarious.  This book is written directly from the heart.  There is no sugar coating the situation, one has a child with Bipolar Disorder and the other has a child with Autism.  At the time I was reading, Laik was about 4 months old, it opened my eyes to what "could" happen in my own future.  For example, they talked about people staring, making "you should" comments, and feeling ostracized because their kids had issues.  But what I loved the most about this book....they are surviving, their kids are thriving, and life goes on no matter what your circumstances.  It was a good read and it lifted my down beaten spirits.  And by the way, everyone thinks that their kid is perfect, right?!?!?!?  

• Without a Word by Jill Kelly

This book was purchased the day of a local fund raising event for the Chattanooga Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Jill Kelly is the wife of Jim Kelly, former Buffalo Bills quarterback.  I had seen the book in the bookstore many times, the front cover is one that grabs your heartstrings.  It is a picture of the entire Kelly family decked out in Buffalo Bills jerseys for the celebration of Jim being inducted into the Hall of Fame.  I would pick the book up, look through it and then put it back.  All the while thinking to myself, "that is a pretty serious condition, nothing like what Laik has."  But on a afternoon drive home from work, I saw a billboard announcing that Jim and Jill Kelly would be the keynote speaker at the event.  I decided right then to go get the book and read it.  Then, at the event, I was fortunate enough to speak with Jill. As soon as I started talking my voice quivered and my eyes filled with tears.  I remember Jill gently taking my hand and saying to me, "say no more, I know how you feel."  I was hooked and knew, I had to read that book immediately.  Their son, Hunter, had Krabbe Disease.  The story is remarkable in itself, but ultimately through their son's illness, Jill and Jim were led to Christ!  A great read and very touching story.  Most of all for me, it proved that "conditions" have no discrimination...."it" can happen to anyone.....I mean she is married to a SUPER BOWL CHAMPION!

• Road Map to Holland:  How I Found My Way Through My Son's First Two Years with Down Syndrome by Jennifer Graf Groneberg

If you have been reading my blog for very long, you have read "Tulips" and read the short story Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley.  In this book, Groneberg gives her spin of her own trip to Holland.  What makes the story even more interesting to read is the fact that her son is a twin.  From this book, I learned to not compare Laik to other children.  This is difficult to be able to do but the author sheds light on how to handle being the parent of a special needs child.  She shares her experiences of how she told her husband, what they told to friends, how she handled being a parent of a Downs child, and how she came to accept what her new future holds.  I related to her story very much.  As I was reading, I found that I felt many of the exact same feelings she had felt.  That was refreshing because I had felt that I was the only person having thoughts and feelings that I did not want to share with anyone!  And remember, Holland isn't so bad after all!  It's not Italy, but it has a beauty all of its own!

• Extraordinary Kids:  Nurturing and Championing Your Child with Special Needs by Cheri Fuller and Louise Tucker Jones

This book is the oldest of my "new special" library.  A gift from a woman I have never even met!  I have just started the book and I am thoroughly enjoying it already!  And I know exactly why....it is as if the authors and stories are speaking to me and telling me, "God Will get you through this!"  The stories shared in the book are from real mothers that are living day to day with children that are special, non-typical and dependent!  All those descriptions are just ugly adjectives in my opinion, but it is what it is.  Parents that are spiritually, emotionally and physically driven to be the best advocate for their child!  This book, although I'm in just the fourth chapter, is encouraging me to know more about Laik's condition, how to cope with the challenges we will face, and to always fight for the best care and education for my child!  I would recommend it to anyone!  And even if you do not have a extraordinary child, it could be a great read for an ordinary parent.

My nose has been deep into my Bible as well.  God, my family and my close friends remain to keep me strong in this battle.  Our journey is going to be life long and I am prepared to fight and I am thankful for those that have battled before me and chosen to share through the pages of books.  

On my morning walk today I broke down into tears in front of a friend and shared my fears.  Her words were, "I can't imagine what you are going through, but I DO know that we are so thankful we have Laik."  And she is so very right, I am thankful for him and I want to share my story so that it may help another!

It's also nice to know....I'm not at the edge of the cliff alone!