Helping Patients Healing Families

It is tough.  Having a child with special needs is.  Knowing that their life on this earth will be shorter than yours as a parent is overwhelming. 

Below is the link to a recent presentation I gave in Paducah, KY.

I had the privilege of sharing our story and giving insight to the lives of families with children with chronic illness at West Kentucky Community and Technical College on August 20th.  I was overwhelmed with the interest, attendance, caring and concern of the students.  Many of them were nursing students and staff, or students working toward other degrees, perhaps in social work or psychology.  My first audience contained community members, staff and some students.  There were around 60 there, it was nice to speak to them, and many had really great questions.  The second speaking event had community members, friends, staff and students, I estimated around 200 in attendance.  I was encouraged again by the kind attention and insightful questions asked.  I always say there is no question that is "off limits."  I received a standing ovation at the end of that presentation.  My heart was overwhelmed with joy--for my beautiful child and precious family that have walked the journey and carried me with them.  I AM SO BLESSED.  Caleb continues to touch the lives of families walking similar paths, impacting the hearts of parents, influencing the care of future health professionals.  His life continues to bless me, every day, to live life with LOVE at the center. 

Blessings,
Beth

GIVING HIM BACK TO GOD

Sunday, January 15th, will be one year since our precious Caleb left this earth and opened his beautiful brown eyes to see the face of our Lord in Heaven.  What was the worst day I have ever experienced here in my life, was the most wonderful day of his.  His life, his spirit, his love will carry me through the rest of my life- determined to be the kind and patient person that he taught me to be. 

What started out as a book about raising children with special needs in 2008, changed to a journey through his life- after he passed away Jan. 15th, 2011.  The journey was overwhelming for me to even write at times...I would have to stop, and regroup and then start again.  Writing about REAL life isn't easy.  But it was therapy for me.  I realized while writing, that we learned many things from Caleb, that we'd never have learned so early on in our lives had he not been with us.

I am amazed at how he exhibited all the fruits of the spirit:  love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance- at 9 years old.  Especially since he'd suffered for years, been in pain, was unable to communicate with words, lost numerous abilities...things that normally would drive a person into despair, depression, and turn them away from Faith. 

Grief is something we all experience, or will in this lifetime.  How to live with grief is something we learned to do when Caleb lost ability, we grieved a little at a time.  When faced with losing him forever, I knew this grief would continue the  rest of my life, but rather than crippling us, it has made us as a family, more determined- to LIVE.



God blessed us for 9 years, with the most precious child, and now, his story, and the journey of our family with him is now able to be shared with the world. 

My book, Giving Him Back To God is available at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle.  I hope that you read it and learn that no matter where you are on life's journey, no matter what struggles you face, there is a way- to Be The Blessing.

Love to all of you,
Beth
http://www.calebsmom.com/
(please also check out my new website)