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Rising Above Ministries is lifting up the special needs community through support, encouragement, inspiration, and community.
Episodes
Tuesday Feb 04, 2020
Tuesday Feb 04, 2020
You will love hearing Becky Davidson share her story. Her marriage to her late husband Jeff was full of ups and downs, but through it all, their commitment to one another and their marriage stayed strong.
Related Links:
TWOgether Marriage Retreat Experience (coming February 14)
Read More:
No More Peanut Butter Sandwiches - By Jeff Davidson
Common Man, Extraordinary Call - By Jeff Davidson with Becky Davidson
Favorite Quotes:
“Go back in your mind to when you first met your spouse. Remind yourself of what it was. Why did you fall in love with them?.. Remind yourself of those feelings that you had.” - Becky
“We’re going to take 5 minutes a day to have this conversation, to have this connection.” -Becky
“There wasn’t anything hidden, there wasn’t anything to hide…” - Becky
"Hallmark Movies even make marriage and life and dates seem like this picture perfect, and that's not real. And that's not reality. If you are lining up what you think your marriage should look like based on some romantic movie…" -Becky Davidson
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Enjoy this conversation with Dr. Steve Grcevich from Key Ministry as we learn more about mental health and how churches can respond to this important consideration.
About Dr. Steve Grcevich
Dr. Stephen Grcevich (MD, Northeast Ohio Medical University) serves as the President and Founder of Key Ministry. He serves the primary vision caster and spokesperson for the ministry and plays an important role in Key’s efforts to develop collaborations both within and outside the disability ministry movement with church leaders, other like-minded organizations and the professional community. Dr. Grcevich is a regular contributor for Moody Radio Cleveland and the ERLC (Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention) and is frequently invited to speak at national and international ministry conferences on mental health and other disability ministry-related topics. His first book, Mental Health and the Church, was published by Zondervan in February 2018. In addition to his ministry work, Dr. Grcevich is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who combines nearly thirty years of knowledge gained through clinical practice and teaching with extensive research experience evaluating medications prescribed to children and teens for ADHD, anxiety, and depression. He serves on the faculty of Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, has been a presenter at over 35 national and international medical conferences and is a past recipient of the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Related Links:
Dr. Steve Grcevich’s book: Mental Health & the Church
Favorite Quotes:
“One of the things that we suggest to churches: Put as many pictures and as much video up online…” -Steve G.
“Do we minister to people and provide them with the same kind of supports for mental health disabilities as what we would physical disabilities?” -Steve G.
Based on a Lifeway study: “What families impacted by mental illness most wanted from their churches was for their pastors to talk about it from the pulpit.” -Steve G.
Tuesday Jan 07, 2020
Tuesday Jan 07, 2020
We know you will love hearing from our friend, Tracey Martin. Tracey is the mom of FIVE children, four of whom are quadruplets! She has been married to her husband Mike, a doctor, for 32 years, but she is honest that it hasn't always been easy. They have dealt with many challenges on staying connected, especially as they have raised two children on the autism spectrum. Their son, Gabe, has profound autism and is non-verbal and their son, Sam, has Aspergers (high functioning autism).
Favorite Quotes
"[On marriage] It hasn't all been roses and sweetness. It's been very hard, but we just cling on to each other and cling on to God to get us through." -Tracey
"You decide…make your own decisions…you're the Mother…and that child is your gift." -Tracey
"Don't get on the autism or special needs bandwagon…if so and so is doing it, I need to do it." -Tracey
Related Links
Tuesday Dec 17, 2019
Tuesday Dec 17, 2019
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
In this episode, we talk to a special friend of Rising Above Ministries, Heidi Clopton. As you’ll hear, Heidi was Jon Alex’s first occupational therapist and was there for the very beginning of Rising Above! You will also hear which annual event was Heidi’s idea. We are thankful for the many ways Heidi has blessed the ministry over the years, and we know you will love hearing from her today!
Favorite Quotes:
"The best thing you can do is find out if there is something that can help them... The most important thing though is to get answers and I feel like you don't need to stay in that place of, 'is there something wrong or not?'" -Heidi
"Get an evaluation. A lot of people think they have to have a diagnosis first, but they don't." -Heidi
"You need the team approach. That is so important." -Heidi
"Therapy happens everyday...and be fun! And be something you enjoy doing with your child." -Heidi
Related Links:
Center of Development Pediatric Therapies http://www.developmental-delay.com/
“Common Man, Extraordinary Call” book by Jeff Davidson with Becky Davidson
Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
Tuesday Dec 03, 2019
In this episode, we talk to Wally & Lisa Bryan, parents of a son with fragile X syndrome about their struggles through getting a diagnosis, adjusting to a routine, and finding community. We hope you will be blessed by their story!
Favorite Quotes:
"Our faith wouldn't be where it is now had God not given us Matthew." -Wally
"God teaches us everyday through Matthew and still does." -Wally
"Nobody brings more glory to God [in our circle] than Matthew does." - Wally
Related Links:
National Fragile X Foundation www.fragilex.org
Extra Special People https://extraspecialpeople.com/
SouthEast Gwinnett CoOperative Ministry https://www.segwinnettcoop.org/
Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett www.specialneedsschools.org/
Tuesday Nov 19, 2019
Tuesday Nov 19, 2019
In this episode, we talk to two moms who "get it" that the holidays can be a difficult time for special needs parents. You'll hear personal experiences of everything from relative gatherings to family photos. If you're a special needs parent, we hope you'll hear that it's okay to make hard decisions for your family with your special needs child in mind. If you're a relative or friend of a family with special needs, look for opportunities to show grace this holiday season.
Favorite quotes
Tuesday Nov 05, 2019
Tuesday Nov 05, 2019
Mary Susan is the host of the popular Mama Bear Podcast- a space she created for fellow women raising kids with special needs. She is married to singer/songwriter Sean McConnell and is the mother to their 8 year old Ghanaian beauty, Abiella. As a former middle school teacher, she has her Master's in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment and her Doctorate in Special Education. In her spare time she likes to work in her pottery studio, stalk the Carter Family on Instagram, and dance like everybody's watching.
Favorite Quotes:
"Women are still the women they were before this chapter of their lives." -Mary Susan
"The other thing I've seen [among women interviewed] is the need for community." -Mary Susan
"Find community as fast as possible. It's worth every ounce of energy it's gonna take." -Mary Susan
Links Mentioned:
By the Brook "This Is My Story" downloadable retreat
Find Mary Susan:
Mama Bear Podcast
FB @marysusanmcconnell
IG @marysusanmcconnell
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
Sandra Peoples is a special-needs mom and sibling. She's the author of Unexpected Blessings: The Joys and Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family. Her husband is a pastor and she serves as the special needs ministry director at their church outside of Houston, Texas. Join us as we talk to Sandra about her journey and how it gives her great insight into how to remember the siblings of our children with special needs.
Favorite Quotes:
Creating a safe place outside of the family for our kids to be themselves and talk… - Sandra
I take things in seasons... - Sandra
I say no to a lot of things... - Sandra
Only do what only you can do. - Becky
You can't always say yes [to your typical child], but you can say "let's make a plan for later." - Sandra
**Be sure to listen for Sandra's ONE THING: encouragement that she would give a sibling of a child with special needs.
Find more from Sandra Peoples:
www.sandrapeoples.com
Twitter - @sandrapeoples
Instagram - @sandrapeoples
Facebook group- Self-care for the Special Needs Mom
Books:
Tuesday Oct 01, 2019
Tuesday Oct 01, 2019
In this episode, we talk to our friend Dawn Fry, an attorney, about conservatorships. We discuss the step-by-step process of setting up conservatorships and special needs trusts and the importance of thinking through this process before special needs children turn 18. We hope you will enjoy this practical episode with so much helpful information for parents raising children with special needs.
Check out these related links:
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
In this episode, we discuss:
Local Impact
Easter Eggstravaganza, Heroes' Ball, Fall Festival, Hang Time, Coffee Talk
Nationwide Impact
By the Brook: Retreat for Moms of children with special needs, SOAR: Retreat for Dads of children with special needs, For Jonathan's Sake Training
Worldwide Impact
Downloadable Conferences (currently available):
"Love Well" Moms Retreat
"This Is My Story" Moms Retreat (COMING OCTOBER 4, 2019)
Downloadable Bible Studies (currently available):
Seeing Jesus
Rest
Favorite Quotes:
1. Everyone's {marriage vows} are tested, ours were really tested. There were a lot of things that the enemy could've used to destroy our marriage...but it actually drew us closer together. We want to help other couples learn how to navigate that.
2. Wherever you are, we desire to connect with you and build community when you may feel like you don't have any around you.
3. I want more than anything for when a special needs family gets a new diagnosis...that Rising Above is a resource for them.
4. Vulnerability can be scary, but the reward is so much greater than the fear.