Special Needs and the Imago Dei: Encouragement for Parents - Laura Wifler & Erin Smalley

[@jessiegoodling3481]

Just started watching and my heart is hurting already. I have a special needs sister, 72, and in her life she has been shut out more times than none…even in family. I will say this, she was raised in a single parent family, treated by a mom who didn’t know and had to work therefore she was greatly spoiled. The family issue is bad but worse for me is mother passed and Kathy has been passed between two of seven siblings which is hard for her. More troubling for me is she attended my church for over 20 years and in all that time maybe five or six people recognized her as a human worthy of their time. Makes me furious also when in family gatherings she is ignored. Hurts my heart.

[@rebekahbiskeborn5405]

This resigned with me. We are the 1 out of 3. Our church journey has been shocking with a special needs child. We have even had a church turn out away. Definitely room for churches to grow in this area. Thanks for shedding light on this topic.

[@jerryfriss7018]

I have to thank you for everything that this page is giving me for years. Thanks for sharing.

[@mourningwarbler]

Excellent testimony. I've met a few women whose children were in a very bad way. One was drowned at age 2, but survived; he's about 24 years old now; so his mom has been taking care of him and her other kids when they were young, since she was about 23 herself. Another mom's daughter had brain cancer at age sixteen, but the treatment left her severely brain injured; that daughter is now 25. Our story is only 2 years old, and we are old; and all our other children are grown. Even as Mrs. Wifler explains, there is an amazing grace allowing us to see the blessings even in the nightmare. We're thankful for home, enough money for food, for briefs and pads, etc. We're thankful the insurance provided a hospital bed, a Hoyer, and a wheelchair. We're thankful we don't live on a second floor somewhere. So thankful we have had people praying for our grown child.

[@latoyasmith960]

I enjoyed this broadcast today, we have a soon-to-be 14-year-old autistic son, and this encouraged me, and brought up so many emotions. Thank you for sharing this and truly addressing the whole family's needs.

[@focusonthefamily]

We're glad you enjoyed the broadcast, friend! If there's any way we can come alongside you, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Blessings to you and yours!

[@bjemaja]

Every age group brings a new challenge as your special need child is growing up. As a parent, relearning some of the skills you have already learned (patience, grace, calm, etc.)

[@1990Popeyeify]

These comments are amazing. I had no idea..

[@GeorgeH.Chapman]

It's something the way some kids make fun of special needs kids. Parents should teach their kids to treat people better than they do. We're all GODS children no matter what.

[@peggyparra2440]

❤

[@DSTADAV]

Such a great program. Just a gentle encouragement for Jim D to let his guests talk more and him less.