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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
Jun 20, 2023
Jun 20, 2023
41 min
About Kim
Kim and her husband Mike, of 34 years, have 3 boys. Trey, who has Down Syndrome, is the oldest and is 33 years old. Kim started a non-profit athletic program In Mooresville, NC in 1994 called Structured Athletics for Challenged Children as well as a special-needs choir in 2016 “God’s Angel Choir." She was also very instrumental in helping start Hope Academy a small school for special-needs adults. Her main goal for Trey has always been for him to have the opportunity to be active in our community and to love God and Life!
Related Links
SACCputnamco.org
Find out more about one of our By the Brook 2023 sponsors, Key Ministry!
Sign up to join us this weekend for By the Brook here!
Jun 13, 2023
Jun 13, 2023
40 min
About this episode
This podcast takeover with Steve Chatman is an episode is for moms and dads about Father's Day!
Moms will hear helpful tips about what Dad doesn't want for Father's Day and dads will be encouraged by a message from Steve especially for them.
Related Links
Common Man Extraordinary Call on Amazon
Visit the Rising Above Ministries store
Jun 6, 2023
Jun 6, 2023
45 min
About Abigail
Abigail Burle is a Georgia native that calls Gainesville, Ga home. She wrangles 6 year old triplets and serves with her husband Ryan in the local community. She is passionate about creating spaces of belonging for families impacted by disabilities. She is the Founder of a non-profit, Love Your Story that provides respite for families.
Favorite Quotes
"When you are just being faithful and living your life for yourself and your family, and not trying to make it better than it is, or not trying to make it look worse than it is, joy will come." -Abigail Burle
Related Links
@Abigail_burle
@loveyourstory.us.
*Big thank you to one of our By the Brook sponsors this year, Fry, Fry, Knight & Looper! You can find them here.*
May 30, 2023
May 30, 2023
38 min
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.
May 23, 2023
May 23, 2023
40 min
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
May 16, 2023
May 16, 2023
41 min
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.
May 9, 2023
May 9, 2023
43 min
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
May 2, 2023
May 2, 2023
37 min
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.
Apr 25, 2023
Apr 25, 2023
37 min
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.
Apr 18, 2023
Apr 18, 2023
24 min
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