In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re in nativity season! A stress fuelled time of rehearsals, costumes, children trying to learn their parts, performances, tears and tantrums (and that’s just the adults!) Tensions are running high, no one can find the stuffed sheep, and someone has to tell little Jack that the actual shepherds didn’t wear Buzz Lightyear dressing gowns…So, what part is there in the nativity play for a disabled child?
Sometimes, we do things that can make very little sense at all... Sometimes, we do those things unthinkingly, because “It’s always been done that way…”. Sometimes, it’s only when we are challenged to really think about it, that we realise that there might be a better way… That’s the journey I’ve been on when thinking … Continue reading Church Children’s Work: Do ‘Age Groups’ Or ‘Interest Groups’ Work Best?
Jesus is surely the greatest story teller the world has ever known. His stories, also known as parables, are lively, exciting, challenging and filled with teaching. Every time we read one of Jesus’ parables, we learn something new through them… they speak into our lives like no other storyteller has. We all have our favourite … Continue reading Children With Additional Needs Are NOT Second Best To Jesus
‘Return of the Night Drives!!’ No, not a new film, but a recommencing of night time nocturnal adventures with James, the first for a few weeks! We were out earlier this week for well over an hour, having a wonderful time exploring the local area in the dark, visiting the airport, finding other places where … Continue reading Treasure In The Darkness
There have been a few times lately when I’ve felt that God has been pulling me up by the bootstraps and telling me that he has everything under control, and that worrying about things isn’t actually a productive or helpful use of my time or energy… That hasn’t always been an easy message to receive, … Continue reading Don’t Worry: God’s Peace In The Storm
A couple of days ago something extraordinary happened… something totally unexpected… something that in its own way was delightful and wonderful… James had a bath! An hour-long soak! Now granted, expecting any 15-year-old lad to have a bath isn’t a given… but James isn’t any ordinary 15-year-old. James is autistic, and also has learning disabilities, … Continue reading Jesus At The Pools Of Siloam, Bethesda, And Our Bath!
As I headed upstairs to get James up this morning, I heard him giggling… Normally, this is a sound that thrills my heart, but I know James all too well and at 07:30 in the morning it is rare to get so much as a grunt out of James…. Giggling meant trouble; my heart sank… … Continue reading Dealing With The Yukky Stuff; Loving, Living And Serving Like Jesus
Last week James, our 15-year-old Autistic son, had a fit; a full tonic clonic grand mal seizure, something he’s never had before. It is right up there with the most scary, frightening things I have ever experienced in my life (James knew very little about it himself, thank God)… Even writing about it now brings … Continue reading Fits, Fear, Faith, Friends, And Facebook
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, teaches us about how the body of Christ, the church, is made up of many parts. Many parts that combine to make one body, baptized by one Holy Spirit… He goes on to describe the various parts, firstly through metaphor (foot, hand, eye, ear, head etc.) and then … Continue reading What Part Of The Body Of The Church Is A Child With Additional Needs?
I was sat in church a few Sunday mornings ago, a brief oasis of calm in an otherwise hectic and unpredictable week of additional needs ministry and additional needs parenting. The service was great, which was helpful, as I was tired and in serious danger of dropping off to sleep otherwise… there could have been … Continue reading Posh Brands, Designer Labels, and Additional Needs Parenting
Delightful Handmade Dog Products and Gifts
An additional needs Dad and Son baking adventure...
Special Education Teaching Resources, Sensory Stories and SEND Information
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