Faith, Values, and Raising a Child with Special Needs
Way back in April, a post titled Faith, Values: Mother of Special Needs Child Puts Faith in God popped up in a Google Alert. The author, Stephanie Kim, wrote a post so sweet and hopeful, I keep thinking about it. Since it made an impression, I wanted to pass it on to you.
Meet Stephanie Kim & Family
Stephanie is mom to two daughters, Maria and Julia. Her younger daughter, Julia, has special needs because she’s missing part of her eighth chromosome and part is duplicated. Because of the chromosome anomalies, Julia lives with an intellectual disability, atrial septal defect, hypotonia, spinal issues, and intestinal malrotation.
How Stephanie Responded to Her Daughter’s Diagnoses
At first, Stephanie researched her daughter’s condition obsessively. Eventually, she realized the research was making her anxious and fearful. Over the next few years, she came to see the Bible as her best special needs resource. She says:
From reading the Bible, I realize that my two daughters belong to God. He has entrusted me to care for them for whatever amount of time he gives me to do so. But ultimately, they are his. He is in control. God knows every malady Julia has and will have; he knows the ones that I don’t even know about yet. I often have to remind myself that God doesn’t make mistakes.
These days, instead of being fearful and anxious, Stephanie now considers herself blessed to be Julia’s mom.
Can You Relate to Stephanie?
To get the rest of Stephanie’s faith-building story, read her article, Faith and Values: Mother of Special Needs Child Puts Faith in God. I think you’ll relate to what she says. If you do, come back and leave a comment about your reaction to her story.
