Oct 13, 2009 Posted by Jolene

Evan Is on the Run!

Every now and then I update the progress of families profiled in A Different Dream for My Child, to give you an idea of what life is like for them on an ongoing basis. A week or so ago Scott, the father of seven-year-old Evan sent this link to a recent article about his son. Noonan’s Syndrome Evan has Noonan’s syndrome, a heart condition which typically includes a thickening of the heart... read more

Oct 11, 2009 Posted by Jolene

Nine Ways to Live Triumphantly…Audio Version

A few weeks ago Lisa Copen, founder of Rest Ministries, a website for chronically ill adults, asked me to participate in her Invisible Illness Week Web Seminar. She wanted me to encourage chronically ill parents who have special needs kids. I felt a little funny addressing those parents since I don’t have a chronic illness. But since my dad was chronically ill, and my son had special needs, I said... read more

Sep 3, 2009 Posted by Jolene

Do You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom?

For families caring for a chronically ill, homebound child, it’s very hard for both parents to work outside the home. But depending on the severity of the child’s condition and the amount of care required, working at home could provide extra income without transportation and day care hassles for one parent or the other. Jill Hart, a friend of mine, recently released her new book, So You Want... read more

Aug 13, 2009 Posted by Jolene

Why Can this Wimpy Woman Steer a Wheelchair?

Why I Get Aggravated I get so aggravated when big, burly guys try to negotiate Grandma Myrtle or Great-Uncle Oscar’s wheelchair over bumps in sidewalks and slightly raised thresholds, or onto a shallow-stepped landing. Their standard method of operation is to ram the wheelchair at the obstacle, jarring Grandma or Oscar in the process and nearly scaring them to death. “What’s the matter... read more