How to Inspire Families of Kids with Special Needs?

by Mar 31, 2014Encouragement, Spiritual Support3 comments

Kimberly Drew draws special needs parenting inspiration from the stories of others. But what to do when people say you inspire them? Here's Kim's answer.

Guest blogger Kimberly Drew is inspired by the stories of families raising kids with special needs. But she’s not so sure what to do when people say her family inspires them. In today’s guest post she shares her thoughts about how she’s learning to handle the situation.

Inspiration

I just started a new women’s Bible study written by Jennifer Rothschild called Walking by Faith: Lessons Learned in the Dark. I was so intrigued by this particular study, in part, because Jennifer is legally blind. From the first introduction video, I can tell that this study will be sprinkled with bits of wisdom and experience that will have a much more significant impact because of her unique disability. I’m so excited to learn from her and to grow as a person because of her willingness to share her heart and life with her readers. It’s inspiring to watch her take the stage and start speaking with perfect poise and demeanor knowing that she can’t see the audience’s physical response to her message or read their body language for feedback about how she’s doing. She just goes for it, and she is a powerful example of faith in action for me.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably read a lot of inspiring stories about families or people with disabilities. I’m always intrigued by the article that’s shared on Facebook, a clip on the morning talk show, or a book from a mom like me. Why do we gravitate to these stories? I believe to connect. To connect to a community of people who understand what we’re going through and have managed to make something beautiful or newsworthy from their situation. We’ll probably never meet them, share a cup of coffee, or swap phone numbers. But we feel connected to them somehow. It feels good to belong to something inspirational like that.

Have you ever considered that you might be an inspiration to someone else? Maybe that makes you laugh, or tremble! But it’s true. People are watching the way we handle ourselves, the way we love and care for our children, and sometimes seeing us do what we do gives them the strength to keep plugging away at their own situation. I remember when Abbey was little; a mom of a healthy young girl my daughter’s age told me that she didn’t know how I did it. She had this look on her face. It wasn’t pity… it was something different. I’ve seen it a few times since, and I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. The look was inspiration. It humbled me, and I wanted to send her a live video feed of me on an off-morning so she didn’t have any grand ideas of who I really am! However, I accepted the compliment, and I think of it sometimes when I feel like nothing I do makes any difference.

The truth is, we’ll never know this side of eternity what kind of difference we’re making in the world just by caring for our children. You just never know who’s watching you, who might want to read your story, who needs to meet your child and feel the warmth of their smile. Just by going through the motions, you invite others to see beauty, to experience life differently, and to be inspired.

Who Inspires You?

Where do you find inspiration for your special needs parenting journey? Who inspires you? Leave a comment to spread the inspiration love!

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Photo Credit: www.freedigitalphotos.net

By Kimberly Drew

Kimberly grew up and went to college in the small town of Upland, IN. She graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Elementary Education in 2002. While at TU, she married her college sweetheart and so began their adventure! Ryan and Kimberly have four amazing kids on earth (Abigail, Jayden, Ellie, and Cooper), and a baby boy waiting for them in heaven. Their daughter Abigail (Abbey) has multiple disabilities including cerebral palsy, a seizure disorder, hearing loss, microcephaly, and oral dysphagia. She is the inspiration behind Kimberly’s desire to write. In addition to being a stay-at-home mom, Kimberly has been serving alongside her husband in full time youth ministry for almost fourteen years. She enjoys working with the senior high girls, scrapbooking, reading, and music. You can visit Kimberly at her website, Promises and Perspective.

3 Comments

  1. Kimberly Drew

    Kerith, I agree with you about having other parents around me with children older than mine being an inspiration. Abbey is only 11 and I also find I am the “seasoned” parent in many situations. I agree with your number 2 also! I love this website, and all the resources I find here. I can’t wait to check out your blog!

  2. Jolene

    Thanks for your encouragement, Kerith and for your blog at http://www.brieleandme.net. Other parents of kids with special needs are great inspiration. Many of them are so busy care giving, they don’t have much time to blog. As you know, we have to keep looking for them and encourage one another daily!

  3. Kerith Stull

    I have found inspiration from two places. (1) Special needs parents who have children older than mine. My daughter is now 18 years old and I’m having trouble finding those parents. Do they stop interacting? Do they stop blogging? Do they stop writing books? I’m am!! Where are they??(2) Special needs parents who have a different but positive perspective. There are lots out there. Parents like YOU! So, to those parents, I encourage you to keep interacting, blogging, and writing. I may not always comment, like, tweet, or pin… but I am always looking for you and reading!

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Meet Jolene

Jolene Philo is a published author, speaker, wife, and mother of a son with special needs.

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