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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.
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 Aug 10, 2021
Donna Whaley: How do we make it through?
Tuesday Aug 10, 2021
Tuesday Aug 10, 2021
About Donna:
Donna is married to Kevin, lives in Kennesaw, GA, and has a 15-year-old son with Autism and PANS.
Did you make a decision to follow Jesus? Let us know by one of these ways!
Facebook: Rising Above Ministries
Phone: 931-526-7473
Website: risingaboveministries.org

Tuesday Aug 03, 2021
Mandy Rawls: What "can" my child do?
Tuesday Aug 03, 2021
Tuesday Aug 03, 2021
About Mandy
Mandy is the wife to Dustin and mom to Dylan, 7, and Madison, 11, who was born with Spina Bifida. Professionally, she has been a high school teacher for 16 years and loves working with students in FCCLA, the student organization she sponsors. Personally speaking, she’s obsessed with Christmas, loves to shop and entertain in our home, and is a huge Elvis fan. Her family is very active in their church, Stevens Street Baptist Church.

Tuesday Jun 29, 2021
Jeff & Emmy Ort : Letting Go of Expectations
Tuesday Jun 29, 2021
Tuesday Jun 29, 2021
About the Orts
Jeff and Emmy met in the 1990s working together at a camp in the PA/NJ area, called Handi*Camp, designed for children, teens, and adults touched by special needs. They have had fun along the journey as God has grown their family and sent them to maintain and further develop a similar camping ministry and year round outreach in MT, called Camp Promise. Jeff and Emmy have been joined along the way by 7 Ortlings (5 guys & 2 gals). Two of these fellows joined their crew through the route of foster care and have given them the opportunity to learn first hand/24/7 knowledge of caring for kiddos with both hidden and visible special needs. The You are Here spot on the "map" shows the Orts standing at the ready to follow God on a new adventurous path in serving their community, as they hand over the leadership of ministry after this summer of camp.
Related Links
Emmy - @montanaorts on instagram
Jeff - https://www.facebook.com/jkzort
Camp Promise -ongoing ministry of camp, new facility news, pictures, and even special Bible studies posted (also @camppromiseministries on Instagram)

Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
Kristin Evans: Coping with Diagnosis
Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
Tuesday Jun 22, 2021
About Kristin:
Kristin is an author, a mental health therapist, and a mother of two children with rare genetic disorders and complex needs. Her greatest passion is walking with others on their journey to deeper faith, emotional, and psychological growth and wholeness. She especially loves supporting other parents of children with medical, developmental, and mental health special needs and disabilities. With her MA in Christian Education and serving as a Licensed Masters Social Worker, she has experience in church, camping, and retreat ministries and is experienced in Christian counseling, couples and family therapy, substance abuse treatment, and crisis counseling. Kristin lives with her husband, Todd, and their two children in the Nashville, TN area. When she is not enjoying life with her family, writing, or with clients, you can find Kristin training for triathlons, reading, or simply being out in nature.
Favorite Quotes:
I had two amazing friends who never gave up on me.
Related Links:

Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
Evana Sandusky: Handling the Stress
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
Tuesday Jun 15, 2021
About Evana
Evana is a wife and mother of two children. In May, she and her husband celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary. Her son, Elijah, is 11 years old and plays guitar. Her daughter, Jaycee, is 15 years old. Jaycee has Down syndrome and several health conditions affecting her heart and lungs. Evana has written about her family's experiences and thoughts about faith on her blog, A Special Purposed Life, and her book, Badges of Motherhood, which is available on Amazon.
Evana is also a pediatric speech-language pathologist. She has a private practice in Illinois. Evana serves in her local church as the co-director of the special needs ministry.
Related Links
We would love to have you at our By the Brook virtual retreat. Sign up to join us on June 25-26: www.risingaboveministries.org/bythebrook

Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
By the Brook 2021
Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
Take a moment and hear a conversation between our speakers for By the Brook 2021! You will be blessed by their heart for special-needs moms and be able to hear just a taste of what we have in store for this event!
This event is only $10 for a whole weekend of encouragement and hope! You can attend virtually or at one our host sites! Learn more about By the Brook Virtual 2021 here: www.risingaboveministries.org/bythebrook
Get to know our speakers better by listening to their individual podcast interviews:

Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Rosie Howes: Grief for the Special-Needs Mom
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Rosie Howes has been a part of Rising Above Ministries for several years now, as we first met her through her son, Hyrum. In this episode, Rosie shares about the loss of their sweet boy and how she has dealt with the grief that has followed.
We are excited to announce that Rosie, along with Becky, will be leading a group for parents who have lost a child with special needs. We look forward to having conversations that encourage one another and deal with topics that those walking through grief understand. If you are a parent who has lost a child with special needs, we would love for you to join the group by signing up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nxzkE4rADgyycT0WjpsMnvjba3qH2DlikdmhLG4ZoRA/edit?ts=60ad0ed2

Tuesday May 25, 2021
Tonya Nash: Learning & Leading
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Tuesday May 25, 2021
About Tonya
Tonya Nash is Board President and founder of the Autism Faith Network. She started this ministry after discovering that many churches struggle with ministering to those with autism and their families. The goal of this new nonprofit organization is to educate churches about autism and promote awareness, acceptance, and inclusion. Since 2016, the Autism Faith Network has served over 35 churches, with thousands of people learning about autism at their place of worship. In 2017, the network received Honorable Mention at the Patient’s View Impact Awards.
Promoting awareness and advocacy is not new for Tonya. She is a public health consultant and has worked in the field for over 18 years. She is passionate about advocating for underserved communities and communicating health information in a way that people from all backgrounds can understand. She has participated in numerous podcasts, speaking engagements, conferences, webinars and panels designed to educate, advocate and inspire audiences from diverse backgrounds.
Tonya and her husband Jamie have two amazing sons. Both boys have been diagnosed with autism and her youngest son was recently diagnosed with epilepsy. Tonya enjoys connecting with and encouraging parents of children with disabilities.
Related Links

Tuesday May 18, 2021
Jenn Soehnlin: Embracing the Special-Needs Life
Tuesday May 18, 2021
Tuesday May 18, 2021
About Jenn
Jenn Soehnlin is a mother to two boys who are precious blessings and who both have special needs. She is the author of Embracing This Special Life: Learning to Flourish as a Mother of a Child with Special Needs. She writes about faith, praying Scripture, and special needs parenting at www.embracing.life.
Related Links
Jenn's Website

Tuesday May 11, 2021
Mara Camacho: Hope for the Solo Parent
Tuesday May 11, 2021
Tuesday May 11, 2021
Mara Camacho is a dear friend of Rising Above and is a solo parent in Boston. She shares from her heart during this episode on what has given her hope as she raises two boys, one who has special needs. We are thankful for her willingness to share with us!
Find out more about By the Brook 2021!
