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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 Mar 09, 2021
Tuesday Mar 09, 2021
About Melanie
Married for 28 years, Melanie is the mother of two young men, one of whom was born with a rare genetic disorder. Passionately sharing God’s message of joy, hope and purpose with every special needs mom she meets is an integral part of her calling. She lives it out through speaking engagements, blogging, missions work in Haiti, and her recently published devotional titled “Bundle of Joy”. Melanie lives in Sunny South Florida and enjoys traveling the world with her whole family.
Favorite Quotes
“All I need really is for God to fix me.” -Melanie
“The difference is…perspective.” -Melanie
“I’m intentional about reminding myself what He has done.” -Melanie
Related Links
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
About Bret
God uniquely prepared Bret to serve with Joni and Friends, an international ministry serving the spiritual, physical, social, and practical needs of people living with disability around the world. He grew up with a sister with a significant physical disability, served in pastoral ministry for 19 years focusing on discipleship and counseling, and has spent the past 7 years with Joni and Friends focusing on training and equipping churches to welcome and embrace individual and families impacted by disability to find their place of belonging in the body of Christ.
Favorite Quotes
“The biggest barrier [to churches reaching out to the disability community] is ignorance. We don’t know what we don’t know.” -Bret
“Our belief system about people with disabilities can lead us astray.” -Bret
“A lot of churches get stuck on care, but we need to get to friendship.” -Bret
“There are people in your church with disabilities whether you know it or not.” -Bret
Related Links
Tuesday Feb 23, 2021
Tuesday Feb 23, 2021
About the Episode
Dawn & Lori are back to discuss “managing the chaos.” Between Becky, Lori, and Dawn, their lives are all so different, but they all have systems in place to manage all the things as special-needs moms.
Enjoy their tips! We’d love to hear from you on the ways you have learned to manage the chaos.
Tuesday Feb 16, 2021
Tuesday Feb 16, 2021
Tuesday Feb 09, 2021
Tuesday Feb 09, 2021
About the Brooks
Daniel & Dusti Brooks were introduced to special-needs parenthood when their second son, Max, was born with a rare medical condition. Their story has had its ups and downs as they have dealt with many scary situations surrounding his condition, but they have learned what it means to embrace the challenges, hold tightly to one another, and seek out community that understands.
Related Resources
Daniel & Dusti will be the hosts for the virtual TWOgether Marriage Conference on Friday, February 26. We would love for you to join us for this time of encouragement and community. We are currently running a buy one, get one free special on tickets. Tickets are $10 per couple, and currently, if you purchase a ticket, you'll get an extra to share with a friend! Sign up here to join us!
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
About the Nixons
Eric and Candy met and graduated together from Eastern University. Eric has a bachelor's degree in Business and Candy has a bachelor’s degree in Special, Elementary and Early Childhood Education and graduate work in Early Intervention Services and Ministerial Studies. Together, they have over 40 years of family and professional experience in disability and church ministry. They never imagined in 30 years of marriage that their story would include their three children being diagnosed with a rare Primary Immune Deficiency Disease at young ages and then for Eric to be diagnosed with MS shortly after the children. Just five years ago, for Candy was diagnosed with the same disease their children have.
God has woven their passion for working with those affected by disabilities and their passion for the local church together. Eric and Candy facilitate several support groups for dads, moms and parents through their local church. Their vision is to provide a safe place for parents of children or adults with special needs to share their pain, loss, frustrations, joy, successes, and to find hope and encouragement through Scripture, fellowship, and prayer. On a nice day, you can find Eric out fishing, hunting, gardening with Candy, walking with their rescue dogs, or reading.
Favorite Quotes
“I needed people and I needed God.” -Eric
“I don’t really know how people go through disabilities without knowing God.” -Eric
"In my wedding vow, I said for better or for worse.” -Eric
Related Links
Comman Man, Extraordinary Call
The Irresistible Book series with Joni & Friends (12 titles available for free on their website) --Candy was the contributing author in the "Doing Life Together" book.
Unbroken Faith: Spiritual Recovery for the Special Needs Parent by Diane Dokko Kim
Sharing Love Abundantly in Special Needs Families: The 5 Love Languages for Parents Raising Children with Diablilities by Jolene Philo
Tuesday Jan 26, 2021
Tuesday Jan 26, 2021
We are thankful our friends Dawn and Lori are here again, this time to discuss the things you need to know before visiting the hospital during COVID-19, especially with your adult child with special needs. They give tips and real life experience, as well as let you know what items you always need to have with you.
We are grateful to provide a sample letter to help you if you find yourself in that situation.
Tuesday Jan 19, 2021
Tuesday Jan 19, 2021
About Katie
Katie Frugé is a stomach cancer survivor, special needs parent, amateur baker, professional theologian, and human rights advocate. She is married to her college sweetheart, D.L. and they have three daughters: Eve (9), Lissy (6), and Noelle (1). Katie has a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology, her primary area of interest is the imago Dei and human dignity. She serves as Associate Director for the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Katie loves a good cup of coffee, a good run, and a good musical.
Favorite Quotes
"The Lord, in His grace and His wisdom, prepares you for the trial right in front of you." -Katie Frugé
[On marriage]..."We’ve really been committed to say 'I’m with you. Period.'" - Katie Frugé
“I want you to see humans who have life to give.” -Katie Frugé
“I promise, there is joy to be had in this journey.” -Katie Frugé
“We’re going to choose family, no matter what.” -Katie Frugé
Connect with Katie
Instagram: @choose_family
Tuesday Jan 12, 2021
Tuesday Jan 12, 2021
About Ann
Ann has been married to her husband, Dave, for 53 years and together they have five adult children, three of whom have special needs, and three grandsons, one who has autism. They are also caregivers for Dave's sister who has developmental disabilities and their youngest son Matthew also 32 who is deaf and has autism. Ann has a Masters degree in education and also has degrees in paralegal, deaf studies/interpreting.
Additionally, Ann has worked as an advocate and has volunteered in different capacities with local, regional and state organizations that support people with disabilities such as Board of Visitors, Parent to Parent, Independent Living Organizations, Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, and Family Support services. In their former church, Ann served as an interpreter and as a parish advocate for people with disabilities. In her current church, she interprets, sings with the praise team, and is a Stephen Minister.
Favorite Quotes
“We are serving God when we serve our children.” -Ann Scherff
"I think it’s looking more at the big picture, and looking at the possibilities, and seeing not the disabilities, but seeing the abilities…and seeing them as a person and not as a label.” -Ann Scherff
Tuesday Jan 05, 2021
Tuesday Jan 05, 2021
About Chad and Staci
Chad and Staci have been married for 21 years and have 2 girls, Madelynn, 17 who has special needs: epilepsy, nonverbal, limited mobility and Kayla, 13 who is in 7th grade and loves to play volleyball and chat with her friends. They have lived in Arizona since 2015 and before that resided in Franklin, TN for 11 years.
Favorite Quotes
“It really was a lifeline to find the Community Groups within Rising Above.” -Chad Quarles
"Even hearing the ladies talking about their families...they get me, they know exactly what I'm going through." -Staci Quarles
"Staying engaged in church and now actually with the Community Groups here, because that is so life-giving. It encourages us, it challenges us, it challenges our marriage..." -Chad Quarles
“It’s something that God has allowed, and God will give you the strength to get through.” -Chad Quarles
Related Links
“Common Man, Extraordinary Call”