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Rising Above with Becky Davidson is a place of encouragement, honesty, and hope for families navigating the unique joys and challenges of life with disability. Each episode offers heartfelt conversations, practical wisdom, and faith-filled insights to help you know you’re not alone on the journey. Becky shares stories from her own life as well as uplifting perspectives from guests who understand the road, equipping you with tools and inspiration to face each day with courage. Whether you’re seeking community, strength, or a fresh reminder of God’s faithfulness, this podcast invites you to rise above the struggles and discover joy in the midst of it all.
Episodes
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Tuesday May 30, 2023
About Missy
The name "myLIFEspeaks" was inspired by the story of Lane Wilson's LIFE, the 23-year-old son of Nashville, TN natives and myLIFEspeaks' Co-Founders, Mike and Missy Wilson. Lane was born prematurely at just 22 weeks gestation. He has severe cerebral palsy and suffered a stroke before birth causing him to go blind. Not only was he born extremely early, he was also very sick. Doctors didn't think he would survive. But God had other plans for Lane's LIFE.
Related Links
Summer Book Clubs
June Book Club
Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
Sign up: https://forms.gle/m8M3D2FAGQoFvF3q9
July Book Club
The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox
Sign up: https://forms.gle/GLDsx2bPMrErvtmDA
August Book Club
If I Were You by Lynn Austin
Sign up: https://forms.gle/wi5MbAPrPpXc4XMC6
Julie's Facebook
You're invited to the private community group on Facebook: Champions4Parents Community
Connect with our By the Brook sponsor: Autism Faith Network
About the Show
Rising Above with Becky Davidson is created & produced by Rising Above Ministries. To learn more about us and our resources for special-needs families, visit our website at www.risingaboveministries.org. If you’ve enjoyed listening and want to hear more, we’d love for you to subscribe to our podcast or share it to encourage a friend.
*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.
Tuesday May 23, 2023
Tuesday May 23, 2023
About Julie
Julie Meekins has been married to her husband, Tom, for almost 44 years and is mom to four adult children who also gave her a daughter-in-love and a son-in-love. She is delighted to report that she is Grammy to a granddaughter and to three grandsons. Her youngest daughter, Amy, was born with CHARGE Syndrome which comes with a complicated set of anomalies. Amy’s birth propelled the family into the world of disability. Julie is co-director of Champions4Parents.com which is a ministry dedicated to advocating for individuals affected by disability by coming alongside parents with love and support and by equipping ministry folks as they serve them.
Favorite Quotes
"It's a sobering and difficult thing to do....we did not feel equipped at all for those kinds of decisions. However, we knew and we know now, God was and He is equipped." -Julie
Related Links
Summer Book Clubs
June Book Club
Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
Sign up: https://forms.gle/m8M3D2FAGQoFvF3q9
July Book Club
The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox
Sign up: https://forms.gle/GLDsx2bPMrErvtmDA
August Book Club
If I Were You by Lynn Austin
Sign up: https://forms.gle/wi5MbAPrPpXc4XMC6
You're invited to the private community group on Facebook: Champions4Parents Community
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Tuesday May 16, 2023
About Michael & Christy
Michael and Christy live in Memphis, TN with their two sons, Zachary and Daniel. Their family is rounded out by Duke, the most patient Black Lab ever created. Both have served in professional ministry for several years, serving students from 4th grade all the way up to college age. Michael is presently pursuing a long time dream of writing, while Christy stays busy with all things Team Pritchard. They also love teaching, podcasting, and sharing their story of God’s faithfulness to their unique and never-boring family.
Favorite Quotes
"Every time Daniel has needed more, God has provided more." -Michael
"[God] has been faithful." -Michael
Related Links
Diapers to Diplomas podcast with Michael & Christy - They are not presently recording, but they keep it open and available for encouragement to other families.
Tuesday May 09, 2023
Tuesday May 09, 2023
About our guests
Amy J. Brown, Sara Clime, and Carrie M. Holt are three mothers
who have a combined experience of over thirty years of raising children
with physical, medical, mental, and emotional special needs. They are
the hosts of the podcast Take Heart Special Moms. Amy is a mentor to special-needs moms. Sara is cofounder and codirector of one of the firstspecial needs ministries in mid-Missouri. Carrie regularly speaks at
conferences, hospitals, churches, and more about special-needs mothering.
Related Links
www.takeheartspecialmoms.com
Instagram: @takeheartspecialmoms
Facebook: /takeheartspecialmoms
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Our annual event for moms is coming up on June 23-24! We want you there. Sign up here to join us from wherever you are! On this episode, you'll hear some past participants discuss what By the Brook has meant to them and what they're looking forward to this year.
About By the Brook
By the Brook is a refreshing event for moms, grandmothers, and female caregivers raising individuals with special needs and chronic illness. This event includes encouragement, inspiration, dynamic worship and powerful teaching - all while spending quality time with other moms who “get it.” You’ll experience amazing worship and have fun during special breakout sessions. You will leave refreshed, restored and renewed! Join us on your own from home, with a small group, or at one of our host sites.
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
About Tempa
Tempa started her baking career early on with Jacque Delmont, owner of The Bridal Kitchen located in Independence, Missouri, where for several years she acquired her desire to make everyone’s special day even more special and honed her skills. She was responsible for baking, preparing, delivery and setup of many weddings which eventually lead to her decorating of several of the venues as The Bridal Kitchen grew. Tempa’s passion for baking and decorating cakes led to the eventual startup of T.J.’S Sweets, a specialty goods bake shop in Independence, Mo. that focused primarily on weddings as well as many other special events that required one of her delectable creations. Tempa has also worked in the Retail Restaurant business as a District Management Trainer during her time in Gwinnett County but longed to get back to her passion and true calling.
Tempa lives in Monroe and has been married to husband Michael for 37 years. Tempa has two children, Ashley and Bradley, as well as a son-in-law Brent and two grandchildren Wyatt Kohl and Deagan David. The family attends Graystone Church in Loganville, Georgia. Hobbies include scrapbooking, community service, and most of all being a Grandma (Gi Gi).
God brought her love for baking and the desire to serve the special-needs community together through her founding of Special Kneads and Treats, a bakery that employs individuals with special needs.
Related Links
Register for By the Brook, our retreat for special-needs moms on June 23-24!
Special Kneads & Treats Website
Instagram: @specialkneads_
Facebook: Special Kneads and Treats, Inc.
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
About Julie
Julie is a wife and mother. When she and her husband had fertility issues and their next step was IVF, they discussed the possibility of adoption and the opportunity to adopt their daughter, Clara, fell into their laps. They were told Clara would have Down Syndrome before she was born. They said "yes!" by agreeing to parent her and be her voice.
Julie and her husband became involved in Down Syndrome Association of Middle TN (DSAMT) which supports 40 counties in Middle TN. DSAMT provides resources such as IEP help, education training, and advocacy. Additionally, their "first call" program helps them reach new parents providing a celebration bag for new families to celebrate their new addition and "sunshine bags" help by bringing a smile when families are dealing with serious ailments.
Favorite Quotes
"[The Bible says}, always be strong and courageous. And that's what I've always relied on." - Julie West
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
About Allie
Allie is a stay-at-home mom to almost four-year-old Hadley and two-year-old Camryn. She has also been the wife of six years to Brian, and they live in Woodstock, GA. Allie's daughter, Hadley, has a rare genetic disorder called Williams Syndrome, and is thriving thanks to the community around her, or what they call "Hadley's Hive." She loves sharing the raw and real life of being a special-needs parent in hopes of increasing understanding and awareness of Williams Syndrome.
Favorite Quotes
“The most painful part of your story may very well be the most life-giving part of someone else’s. - Allie
Related Links
instagram : @alliefinnegan
Tuesday Apr 04, 2023
Tuesday Apr 04, 2023
About Tonya
Tonya and her husband Jamie have two amazing sons who are autistic. She enjoys connecting with and encouraging parents of children with disabilities.
Favorite Quotes
"The things that you are experiencing now--it doesn't necessarily mean that it's always going to be that way. You have to encourage yourself in the Lord." -Tonya
"I think there is value in journalling and writing down things so that when you go back and you see how you are now, it gives you hope for tomorrow." -Tonya
Related Links
Anchored Family Downloads -April
Episode 69: Tonya's previous podcast episode
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
About Crystle
Crystle lives in southern California with her husband and 2 children. She homeschools both of her children and delights in finding the joy and laughter in her family’s every day occurrences. Crystle and her family love being outside, going on walks, spending time with their many animals, and going to the beach.
Favorite Quotes
"I think a lot of times we want purpose and peace, without the pain, but I think it's through that pain that you find that purpose for your life." -Crystle Carpenter
Related Links
About the Show
Rising Above with Becky Davidson is created & produced by Rising Above Ministries. To learn more about us and our resources for special-needs families, visit our website at www.risingaboveministries.org. If you’ve enjoyed listening and want to hear more, we’d love for you to subscribe to our podcast or share it to encourage a friend.
*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.
https://openmicrecordingstudio.com/