Rising Above with Becky Davidson

Embracing Mission, Adoption, and Culture in Belize with Tim Zittle

Tim and Jen’s 27-year marriage and their family’s adoption journey, including three special needs adoptions from China, as well as the call that led them to Belize and the realities of adapting to a new culture as a missionary family. Tim shares what it has looked like to raise children with special needs while navigating healthcare, education, and ministry overseas, and he explains the story behind Three D Friends and its mission to support special needs families in Belize. The conversation also highlights how events like Night to Shine are creating inclusion and dignity for individuals with disabilities, while also encouraging fathers and men in Belize to become more engaged in family life and faith leadership. Tim reflects on Joshua’s rare diagnosis and how God used a difficult season to bring clarity, provision, and deeper trust, while emphasizing the importance of obedience, resilience, and cultural understanding in long-term missions work. He also shares the future vision for camps, therapy centers, and expanded support for children with special needs and their families.

Embracing Resilience: A Single Mom’s Journey with a Special Needs Child

Tamecka shares her journey as a single mother raising a son with Down syndrome and autism, reflecting on the challenges of diagnosis, healthcare demands, and balancing work and caregiving alone. She highlights how faith and prayer helped her stay grounded through difficult moments.

The episode emphasizes the importance of community support, advocacy for children with disabilities, and greater workplace understanding for single parents. Despite the hardships, Tamecka celebrates her son’s joyful spirit, sharing how his presence has brought purpose, resilience, and hope into her life.

Finding Joy in the Hard Stuff with Meredith Cornish: Trusting God While Raising a Family of 15

In this uplifting episode, Becky sits down with Meredith Cornish, a mom of 15, to talk about faith, family, and finding joy in the midst of life's challenges. Meredith shares her journey of raising children with disabilities, growing her family through adoption, and trusting God's goodness through every season.

Together, they discuss intentional parenting, creating peace in a busy home, supporting children with special needs, and the importance of community, prayer, and resilience. Meredith also shares insights from her book, Even in the Hard Stuff, encouraging listeners to find hope, gratitude, and God's grace even in difficult circumstances.

This conversation is filled with practical wisdom, heartfelt encouragement, and a powerful reminder that joy can be found even in the hard stuff.

Making Prom Possible: Will Spears and the Power of Inclusion

In this episode, we sit down with Will Spears, a high school senior with a heart for serving others. Will shares his personal story and explains why he is so passionate about supporting the special needs community. He talks about his efforts to raise funds and help students from Livingston Academy’s Special Education Department attend the Special Needs Prom hosted by Rising Above Ministries. Through his leadership, compassion, and dedication, Will is making a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Join us as we hear about the experiences that have inspired him and the difference one young person can make in a community.

Joining the Mission: Bralin Moss on Serving Families with Disabilities

On this week's episode of Rising Above with Becky Davidson, Becky sits down with Bralin Moss, the newest member of the Rising Above team, to discuss his journey, his passion for the disability community, and his new role as Ministry Advancement Associate.

A recent graduate of Tennessee Tech University, Bralin shares his heart for serving families living with disabilities and his excitement about joining the mission of Rising Above. He talks about the importance of building relationships and creating opportunities for businesses and individuals to partner with the ministry in bringing hope, encouragement, and support to special needs families.

Becky and Bralin also discuss what lies ahead as he helps expand the reach of Rising Above through community partnerships and ministry growth. If you've ever wondered how you or your business can make a meaningful impact in the lives of families navigating disability, this conversation offers a great introduction to the mission and vision behind the movement.

Join Becky and Bralin for this inspiring conversation as we officially welcome him to the Rising Above team and look ahead to all that's to come.

Parenting with Purpose: A Dad's Perspective on Navigating Special Needs

In this heartfelt episode, Becky Davidson talks with a father about the realities of raising children with special needs while balancing faith, family, and ministry. He shares his family’s journey following his daughter’s rare genetic diagnosis and the challenges and blessings that came with caring for a family member with severe autism. Through these experiences, he reflects on how their lives, priorities, and faith were deeply transformed.

The conversation explores the emotional impact of a diagnosis, the importance of community and church support, and the lessons learned through patience, perseverance, and trusting God during difficult seasons. Listeners will also hear practical encouragement for maintaining a strong marriage, seeking counseling, and building supportive relationships with other parents and caregivers.

Filled with honesty and hope, this episode offers encouragement to fathers and families navigating the special needs journey, reminding them they are not alone and that faith and community can provide strength in even the hardest moments.

Embracing the Journey of Parenting Special Needs Children: A Dad's Perspective- Brandon Jones

Brandon Jones, father to Rickie Rose, joins this deeply moving episode to share the realities, challenges, and unexpected blessings of raising a child with special needs. From the life-changing adoption journey from China to navigating the emotional weight of uncertainty and grief, Brandon offers an honest look at how faith, marriage, and community have sustained his family through every season.

Throughout the conversation, Brandon reflects on the unique role fathers play in leading with strength while processing pain, the importance of partnership between husband and wife, and how intentional fatherhood shapes the emotional and spiritual health of the entire family. He also shares how recognizing God’s presence in everyday moments has transformed hardship into purpose and perseverance.

This episode is filled with encouragement for parents—especially dads—who may feel overwhelmed by the challenges of special needs parenting. Brandon reminds listeners that hope can coexist with hardship, resilient families are built through love and shared responsibility, and there is lasting peace found in faith and eternal perspective.

What Special-needs Dads are Dealing With… But Probably Won’t Tell You

If you’ve ever wondered what your husband might be feeling—but not saying—this episode is for you. Since so many of our listeners are special needs moms carrying the emotional and practical load of daily life, Becky Davidson invited Steve Chatman to help shed some light on what’s often going on in the minds and hearts of special needs dads.

Together, they explore the emotions many dads struggle to express: feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, lonely, inadequate, or even unsure of how to communicate what they need. Steve shares honest insight into why dads sometimes pull back emotionally and offers practical ways moms can better understand and support their husbands without adding more pressure to an already full plate.

This conversation is real, encouraging, and filled with relatable moments that will make you laugh, think, and maybe even spark some meaningful conversations at home. If you’ve ever felt like you and your spouse are missing each other in the middle of the special needs journey, this episode offers a compassionate look into how to reconnect, strengthen your marriage, and remember you’re on the same team.

How God Used a Down Syndrome Diagnosis to Unfold a Profound Journey of Faith and Patience- Patrick Sawyer

The conversation between Becky Davidson and Patrick Sawyer is a heartfelt exploration of family, faith, and personal growth. Patrick shares his journey from being an athletic trainer to entering full-time ministry, highlighting the pivotal role his son Connor, who has Down syndrome, played in this transition. Patrick discusses the challenges and blessings of raising a child with special needs, emphasizing the importance of community support and faith. He describes Connor as a "little evangelist," whose pure and enthusiastic faith inspires those around him. The discussion also touches on the significance of discipleship and the impact of sharing experiences with other parents facing similar challenges.

 

Common Man, Extraordinary Call

Rising Above: Finding Joy in Every Season of Motherhood

This special Mother’s Day episode of Rising Above with Becky Davidson features a heartfelt conversation with guests Leslie Harrah and Brittnie Blackburn. Together, the three mothers open up about their journeys raising children with special needs, sharing both the struggles and the profound moments of joy that have shaped their lives. They reflect on how their expectations of motherhood have changed over time, especially around emotionally significant moments like Mother’s Day. The discussion explores themes of grief, growth, and acceptance, while also highlighting the deep ways their children have impacted and enriched their lives. They also offer practical insights on coping during difficult seasons, including stepping back from social media and leaning into supportive communities. Stay tuned through the end for a meaningful and uplifting Mother’s Day message from Becky’s late husband, Jeff.