‘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
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
One in five children and young people have an additional need or disability of some kind, and for many their additional needs or disabilities are lifelong and so continue into their adult life. It is easy for children’s, youth and families workers, as well as church leaders, to be uncertain about how to appropriately support … Continue reading Accessible Jesus: Modelling Inclusion
James, my 15-year old autistic son, gets cold feet… Sometimes this is because he often prefers to go barefoot, sometimes this is because his blood circulation isn’t as good as it might be, or maybe it’s a combination of the two. He likes to have his feet rubbed, to warm them up, but recently he … Continue reading Washing My Autistic Son’s Feet
The word ‘Battle’ has been at the forefront of my mind this week; it has been a key part of my week in several ways, through experiences and as a place. The three reasons that this word has been key for me this week are linked, personal, ministry and place, and so come together into … Continue reading The Additional Needs Battle
Since John Lennon wrote this iconic Beatles song 50 years ago, there has been a fair amount of speculation about what it means, what he was trying to tell us… “There's nothing you can do that can't be done. Nothing you can sing that can't be sung. Nothing you can say, but you can learn … Continue reading All You Need Is Love – Reprise
Delightful Handmade Dog Products and Gifts
An additional needs Dad and Son baking adventure...
Special Education Teaching Resources, Sensory Stories and SEND Information
The Additional Needs Blogfather 