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
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
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
That blog title caught your attention, didn’t it? A controversial topic to grapple with in this blog post, but one that is so important for us all to understand and to communicate effectively… Some 2000 years ago, Jesus was asked that very question, as recorded here from John 9:1-3 “As he went along, he saw … Continue reading Are Parents To Blame For Their Child’s Disability?
In a few weeks time for many, a new academic year will start; in some parts of the country, it starts this week. The start of the new academic year is often the time that church children’s and youth clubs start up again, although of course some have continued during the summer, or have run … Continue reading The State Of The Nation – Additional Needs & Disability In The UK
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 