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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 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.
Wednesday Jul 31, 2019
Wednesday Jul 31, 2019
We could not be more thrilled to bring you the first EVER Rising Above Ministry's Podcast! On today's pilot episode, we invite you into our office to meet Becky, April, Chris, Hannah, and Kim, and hear in detail about what exactly we do. Our mission at Rising Above is to "bring the love of God and hope in Christ to special-needs families through encouragement, support, inspiration and community." We hope that after listening to this episode you will have a better idea of the vision the Lord is giving us to carry out that mission both locally, across the nation, and around the world.
In the months and weeks ahead we look forward to welcoming many guests to the show and discussing all kinds of topics relevant to the special needs family. Join us!
Wednesday Jul 31, 2019
Wednesday Jul 31, 2019
We are so excited to bring you Episode 2 of our new podcast here on the blog. Our first guests on the show are Terry and Susan Pace, joining Becky to discuss how new diagnosis can affect parents on many levels. We believe you be encouraged by their story and their advice to parents who are just now beginning a special-needs journey.
Wednesday Jul 31, 2019
Wednesday Jul 31, 2019
Today Becky is joined by Rising Above staff members Chris Pierce and Kim Thorpe to discuss why a special needs ministry is so vital as part of a thriving church environment, and how important it is for someone to step up and champion the implementation of that ministry. Look for more episodes addressing the topic of special needs ministry in the church in the coming weeks and months!
Wednesday Jul 31, 2019
Wednesday Jul 31, 2019
Well, friends, we have reached the end of our Rest series. We have so enjoyed exploring this topic with you and we hope you have been encouraged and maybe even challenged to find more time for true, soulful rest in your life. This special-needs journey can be exhausting, wearying, and draining – but because of Jesus and His promises, we really can find rest for our souls.
This week we end the series with a podcast that is simply a conversation between Becky Davidson and Hannah Kistler about some practical things we can do to find rest in the day-to-day rush of our lives. We hope you’ll give it a listen!
Before we get started, here are some extra resources for you to end this series with some amazing free downloads available on our website.