Need Project Podcast: Recent Episodes
Need project Inc.
Need Project is a non-profit dedicated to families with special needs children and adults. On our monthly podcast we interview non-profits organizations and professionals who are supporting individuals and families dealing with disabilities.
Fitness To Drive provides specialized occupational therapy services for driver safety. Each member of our team cares about our mission of finding solutions for personal mobility. All of our driving instructors are licensed occupational therapists who have undergone extensive training to become Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists. We have decades of experience working with individuals with physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities, and/or learning challenges. We understand that personal mobility enables independence in our society and our goal is to help you find the best outcome for your situation.
The mission of Labeled and Loved is to embrace and strengthen families with disabilities by providing connective experiences and educational resources for the primary caretaker igniting personal growth and systemic change within the community. We discuss the mission and programs of Labeled and Loved with Kati Moser, the Colorado Springs chapter president.
Our guest is Kelsey Bellanca, Kelsey is the owner of Human Power and the Executive Director of Project Limitless. We discuss the benefits of exercise on the mind and body of our ourselves and family members.
Sharon Cox is the Founder of Unending Possabilities. Unending Possabilities (UP) is a God-centered vocational community that provides meaningful work, a sense of belonging, dignity, and respect for adults with disabilities. We discuss the lack of programs for adults and what they are doing to make a difference.
Stephanie Hubach is a Research Fellow in Disability Ministries and a Visiting Instructor in Educational Ministries in affiliation with Covenant Theological Seminary. She is also the Author of the book we discuss, Same lake different boat.
Dennis Blaisdell is the pastor of Access Christian Church. It is a place where you can come as you are. We know going to Church can be intimidating. But rest assured, Access Christian Church is made up of imperfect people doing their best to serve God and serve others. We have a laid back atmosphere where you can feel comfortable and not have to worry about pretending to be perfect. We invite you to become part of our family, no matter where you are in your journey with God. We look forward to meeting you!
Sarah Nolan is the Respite Programs Specialist for The Resource Exchange(TRE). We discuss all the respite programs TRE offers for children and adults in El Paso county.
Randy and Kesti Suggs are the founders of Reigning Hope. Their mission: To provide life changing therapies at our sensory-rich farm clinic. Their hope: Children with disabilities struggle to reach developmental milestones and to be independent. A combination of therapies and supportive community can help these children reach their goals. At Reigning Hope we provide life changing therapy for the entire family at our sensory-rich farm clinic.
Christopher A. Noll, MA, CAA Director of Athletics & Activities District 11 schools. We discuss the school district's Unified Sports Program and how D11 students can get involved.
Team Impact with Sarah Sapiro, Regional Executive Director, West Emily Burns, Matchup specialist Jackie Avila, Case Manager and Shikha Shah, Regional Director, Programs. Team IMPACT matches children facing serious illness and disability with college sports teams, creating a long-term, life-changing experience for everyone involved. See more at https://teamimpact.org/
Family Voices Colorado is a grassroots organization run by parents of children with special healthcare needs. The support you receive is free of charge and provided by someone who understands the many challenges of having a child with special health care needs in their life.
Every day we give parents the information and knowledge they need to navigate complex healthcare systems to get things like wheelchairs, oxygen, or surgery for their children. With our help, parents can be the heroes their children are counting on. Parents also receive information about other systems they should access based on their child’s diagnosis and needs.
Maranatha Charity Trust is an organization in Romania. It's about children who didn't have the chance to grow up in a family. Maybe it's because their parents left too soon to watch over them from above, or maybe it's because their parents - biologically speaking - didn't know how to receive and appreciate them as a blessing into their lives.
Children for whom "home" was far from being a real home. Children who did not enjoy the warm hugs of a parent, who do not remember a rich lunch taken with their parents, who did not have anyone to talk to about school, about what they want to become when they grow up or about how beautifully they draw. And they are not the ones to be seen as guilty.
In fact, we are not even looking for people to blame. We do not need to point fingers. We only need solutions. https://asociatiamaranata.ro/en
We talk with Tasha Noble about the mission of Special Olympics and what it means for families in Colorado.
Kevan Chandler is the founder of We Carry Kevan and the author of the book of the same name. We discuss the beginning of We carry Kevan and how a big dream lead to the book, a documentary, and a non-profit. We carry Kevan works to connect families with backpack carriers which allow for up to 60 pounds, and they are about a lot more.
Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is the author of a new book "Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent". Marcia is a storyteller and educator who believes that we each have a powerful purpose that should guide our lives. As one of her children is brain-injured and bedridden, Marcia and her family have traversed significant challenges. She is passionate about helping special needs families to feel more connected, gain visibility, access and support, and tap into their resilience.
Marcia helps others to connect deeply with their purpose so they can experience more joy and fulfillment. Through intuitive and logical interventions, her work seeks to shift mindsets, build habits, foster creativity and curiosity, and enable people to live their best lives each day, trusting they are enough.
As a tenured lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Marcia is most drawn to the fields of health, safety and wellness, business and personal strategy, and teaching and learning. She is a certified Parent Skills Master Trainer and enjoys working with her husband to adapt interventions for their daughter and helping other parents to do the same for their children.
Our guest is Michelle Morris-Wright. Michelle is the Agency Director/Director of Case ManCase Management for the C-HCBS Medicaid Waiver for A Special Needs Connection and Medicaid Waivers. We discuss Medicaid waivers and eligibility in the state of Colorado. Michelle also shares about becoming a CNA and how A Special Needs Connection helps families get plugged into medicaid.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado offers a warm, safe, clean, and friendly environment for families. It has two kitchens, family-friendly dining and living rooms, laundry facilities, and indoor and outdoor play areas for children. Our House is a home-away-from-home for families in need.
Thomas Pantoja is the Program Outreach Specialist for ServiceSource in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We discuss the jobs Service Source has open for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. This program is for full employment working on Fort Carson army base doing dining services.
The Colorado Initiative for Inclusive Higher Education (IN!) is a non-profit founded in 2014 by educators, disability leaders, students and families who have a vision for better and more fulfilling career opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities (ID).
Until recently, society’s low expectations coupled with limited opportunities have prevented people with ID from the benefits associated with a higher education. While peers move to the next phase of their lives, students with ID sit on the sidelines. Consequently, they transition from high school to adult day programs, very low paying jobs, or, in too many cases, simply end up sitting idly at home with limited social outlets. Many individuals live hopelessly below the poverty line, and have little prospect of rising above it.
IN! is actively working to have inclusive college opportunities for individuals with ID available statewide and woven into the natural fabric of all higher education.
Our President, Bob West shared with a parents group some of the advice and encouragement people have given him over the years as a parent. He shares why one, in particular, is not his favorite. This message is an encouragement for parents helping them see the value they and their whole family are.
ABLE accounts were created to help families and individuals with expenses while protecting SSDI and Medicaid. Mike Keglovits is the ABLE & Special Programs Manager for College Invest who are the administrators of ABLE accounts for the state of Colorado. We discuss the basics of these accounts and how to set one up.
Sonya is the Transition/IEP/Enrich/CDE Data Reporting Coordinator for the Pikes Peak Board of Cooperative Educational Services. We discuss how services look different for adults and the most important things to remember and do as part of your transition.
Vicki Caruana is an educator, speaker and author of the book Standing Up for Your Child: Without Stepping on Toes. Vicki has hosted an education-based blog since 2005 http://vickicaruana.blogspot.com/
Our guest is Heather Jackson; Heather is the Executive Director of Realm of Caring, a non-profit that provides support services and resources for those using Cannabinoid products.
Tait Berge is the author of “In the Accessible Church”. We talk with him and Bishop Ken Ross from the International Anglican Church about inclusion of everyone in the church.
A celebration of the past eight years of producing the Need Project Podcast. This podcast brings together clips from some of our favorite guests like Dr. James Dobson, Joni Ereckson-Tada and DR. Peter Armstrong to name a few.
Lon helps us to encourage married couples to have a thriving marriage despite the challenges of raising a special needs child, or a spouse that has a disability. Lon has been a counselor at Focus on the Family since 1985, and in the wheelchair since Feb.1991, due to Spinal Chord tumors, and surgeries to remove them.
Our guest is Dr. Lorna Bradley. Dr. Bradley is the author of the new book “Special Needs Parenting” from coping to thriving.
Mike is the Supervisor of Church Relations for Joni and Friends International Disability Center. We discuss how to encourage our churches to support families with special needs members, and how Joni and Friends can help.
Our guest is Jackie Mills-Fernald. Jackie is the Director of Access Ministries at Mclean Bible Church in Virginia. We learn about the unique programs they have and some tips from their years of experience.
Our guest today is Dr. Diane Foley. Dr. Foley is President/CEO of Life Network, a life affirming ministry in Colorado Springs, CO, which provides physical, financial, and emotional support for women and men facing unexpected pregnancies, mentoring for young parents, recovery counseling for those who have been affected by abortion, as well as sexual risk avoidance education presented in local middle and high schools.We discuss the options and best ways to teach our children about sex.
As an ASCP certified medical technologist, Melanie expected an exciting career in the health field. Instead, she soon discovered that parenting was an even greater passion. The mother of one child who was neurotypical and two with neuropsychiatric disorders, Melanie used her education to interact with specialists and to research interventions for her children. As parents raising children with these and other brain chemistry differences, we need compassionate voices who can listen and help us with the practical issues: fighting despair, judgment, and educational challenges; deciding about medications; handling the labeling of children with behavioral challenges; and negotiating the responses of schools and the church. Perhaps most importantly, we need assurance that our children will be okay and that we will survive spiritually as we grapple with the daily challenges. listen as we continue our conversation.
As an ASCP certified medical technologist, Melanie expected an exciting career in the health field. Instead, she soon discovered that parenting was an even greater passion. The mother of one child who was neurotypical and two with neuropsychiatric disorders, Melanie used her education to interact with specialists and to research interventions for her children. As parents raising children with these and other brain chemistry differences, we need compassionate voices who can listen and help us with the practical issues: fighting despair, judgment, and educational challenges; deciding about medications; handling the labeling of children with behavioral challenges; and negotiating the responses of schools and the church. Perhaps most importantly, we need assurance that our children will be okay and that we will survive spiritually as we grapple with the daily challenges.
Melissa Horvath has a masters degree in special education and has taught preschool through 6th grade in a variety of settings including regular classrooms and special schools.
Ministry President Bob West gives an update on current projects and what we are planning for the next year!
Dr. Stephen Grcevich serves as Founder and Director of Strategic Initiatives of Key Ministry, a non-profit organization providing free training, consultation, resources and support to help churches serve families of children with disabilities. Dr. Grcevich is a graduate of Northeastern Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), trained in General Psychiatry at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University.
Our guest is Kathleen Bolduc, Kathleen is a speaker and Author her newest book is The Spiritual Art of Raising Children with Disabilities. The book is about how to grow in your personal spiritual life while raising a family that may have more challenges then others.
Linda is the Executive Director of Special Kids Special Families, an organization dedicated to provide community support services to families who are raising youth and caring for adults with developmental disabilities and special needs.
Dr. James Dobson has been defending families for over 35 years. He is the Founder of Focus on the Family and his new ministry Family Talk. He is the author of over 28 books on marriage and parenting. Dr. Dobson talks with us about the families and what we can do to help them thrive.
Our guests are Joe and Cindi Ferrini. Joe and Cindi are the authors of "Our Unexpected Journey". A great book about raising a child with special needs. We discuss the emotions and issues couples go through to find what the Ferrini's call, the new "normal" for their lives.
We visited with Dr. Peter Armstrong who was the Chief Medical Officer of the Shriners Hospitals for Children. We discuss the services that the Shriners Hospitals give to children and how they are different from other hospitals.
Bob West, President of Need Project talks about our new booklet written to new dad's helping them understand a few of the issues they will deal with as fathers and husbands who have children with special needs.
Tyler was born with Cerebral Palsy but through his faith in Jesus Christ, Tyler has never let any medical diagnosis, statistic or the negative attitudes of others stop him from dreaming and achieving his goals. Tyler passion is pediatrics and he inspires both the child and their parents to realize that all things are possible. As Tyler says, "People say no and God says yes!" As a speaker, Tyler is able to motivate people of all ages to move past barriers in their lives and develop renewed hope through the power of Christ. Lisa gives a mother's personal insight to the life of her disabled child. From the initial fears of pregnancy to the heartache of being told your child isn't "perfect", it is a mother's story of her child, the blessing of motherhood and the challenges we all face on different levels.
Tyler was born with Cerebral Palsy but through his faith in Jesus Christ, Tyler has never let any medical diagnosis, statistic or the negative attitudes of others stop him from dreaming and achieving his goals. Tyler passion is pediatrics and he inspires both the child and their parents to realize that all things are possible. As Tyler says, "People say no and God says yes!" As a speaker, Tyler is able to motivate people of all ages to move past barriers in their lives and develop renewed hope through the power of Christ. Lisa gives a mother's personal insight to the life of her disabled child. From the initial fears of pregnancy to the heartache of being told your child isn't "perfect", it is a mother's story of her child, the blessing of motherhood and the challenges we all face on different levels.
Jim Mhoon serves as the vice president of content development at Focus on the Family. Jim is heading up Focus's efforts on The Family Project. He and his son who has special needs, are part of a video preview for the project. Which can be seen at: http://community.focusonthefamily.com/b/jim-daly/archive/2013/06/19/please-watch-this-video.aspx
Our guest is Kyle West, son of our founder. We talk with Kyle about going off to college with a special need.
Cynthia has her own business, Apple St. (Applied Learning Styles) and began a career in writing and speaking in the field of learning and communicating styles. When we talk about learning styles, we're talking about not just personality differences, we're talking about the fact that each of us actually takes in information and understands it in a different way and we assume that everybody does it our way.
We talk with Tricia Harris to highlight the work of Foundations for Successful Living, specifically their summer programs. FSL specializes in working with individuals ages 3 and up with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Brain Injury, Intellectual Disability, and/or general learning dysfunction.
Zach's place was established to provide families in the Colorado Springs and surrounding areas a place for respite care for their children with disabilities ages 5 to 21. They have a new program teaching Anti-Bullying skills to those with special needs. For more information go to http://www.sksfcolorado.org/SKSF%20Zach's%20Place
Bill is the Co-founder of Blue Star Recyclers based in Colorado Springs in November, 2009. They recycle electronics and create jobs with individuals with disabilities. Bill says, "I am the luckiest guy I know —— to love your work and your team this much, while having an opportunity to lead an organization that produces such a positive human, economic, and environmental impact in the communities we serve.
Dan'l Markham is ordained Baptist minister presently serves with the ministry of Life Without Limbs, evangelist Nick Vujicic. Previous to that Dan'l served as Director of Partner Engagement at OneHope, a worldwide ministry bringing God's word and hope to millions of young people every year. He became fully engaged in disability ministry and the Luke 14:12-24 Mandate serving at Joni and Friends from 2001 to 2010, as Director of U.S. Field Services and then Managing Director of Field Services.
Malham M. Wakin is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We discuss the various ethical issues surrounding life choices for those with disabilities within the medical community.
Colleen is the Child and Family Services Director at The Resource Exchange based in Colorado Springs, CO. We talk about the importance of early intervention and what the Resource Exchange does to get children the help they need.
Lon helps us to encourage married couples to have a thriving marriage despite the challenges of raising a special needs child, or a spouse that has a disability. Lon has been a counselor at Focus on the Family since 1985, and in the wheelchair since Feb.1991, due to Spinal Chord tumors, and surgeries to remove them.
Vicki Caruana is an educator, speaker and author of the book Standing Up for Your Child: Without Stepping on Toes. Vicki has hosted an education-based blog since 2005 http://vickicaruana.blogspot.com/
Christopher Coleman is a twin and was born with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck and was announced dead at birth but miraculously survived. We learn Christopher’s story of growing up with Cerebral Palsy and how he’s learned to overcome some of his limitations to become a motivational speaker.
Joanna McVicker winner of Goodwill’s Kenneth Shaw Graduate of the Year Award. Goodwill Industries International’s Kenneth Shaw Graduate of the Year Award honors an outstanding person for completing a Goodwill Industries® career program and becoming competitively employed by a non-Goodwill employer in the community.
Colorado HorsePower is a non-profit organization that is designed to meet the needs of our community by providing equine therapy and teaching horsemanship to individuals with special needs.
Dr. Sarah Schoen is the Associate Director of the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation. We discuss the work of the foundation and how they help families dealing with SPD.
Colorado Autism Center is dedicated to the treatment of Autism and related disorders. It is a Colorado company focused on meeting the needs of children and families in the Colorado Springs Community.
Our guest Christine Hillesheim talks about Family Retreats from Joni and Friends. Every Family Retreat is packed with exciting adventures for the whole family. Several sites have amenities such as climbing walls and ropes courses, boating, hiking trails, mud pits, and a host of other activities to energize the week.
Bob West, President of Need Project, shares about our new community program. The program is designed to help churches support families with special needs.
Beverly has been a guest on this podcast before and is the author of A Never Give Up Heart—a book for moms who have children who have needs that are particularly challenging. Together they have recently developed a free video series for churches on focusing on God’s purpose and intention for creating the wonderful children he has given us.
Colleen is Director of Special Needs and Disability at Insight for Living. Insight for Living’s Special Needs Ministries is really about bringing hope to those whose lives have been turned upside-down. We desire to educate people about disabling conditions, to equip pastors, churches, and families with tools to serve those with special needs, and to offer encouragement and empowerment to those in need.
Jesse R. McGuire, Sr., B.Th, M.Div, D.Min, Winner, 2009 NATAS EMMY® Award Author, International Recording Artist, Actor, Doctor of Ministry. Jesse McGuire is an American trumpeter from Phoenix, Arizona, famous for his execution of the Star Spangled Banner, which he has performed for three U.S. presidents, and at several major sporting events, most notably the 2000 Daytona 500 and game 7 of the 2001 World Series. He was lead trumpet for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra of New York City and for the band Tower of Power. Dr. McGuire talks to us about living with dyslexia and what he does to help others.
Mary works to help caregivers connect and understand they are not alone. On the Heart of the Caregiver Study: • God wants us to understand that He did not do this TO us. There is something wonderful and good that He wants to do THROUGH us. This is the paradigm shift, the point of transformation, the essence of this study. We are going to see ourselves, our situation, and the person we are caring for in a new way – through the light of God’s amazing love. • For caregivers, there are at least six obstacles that seem to constantly thwart our ability to let go and trust God-the study unpacks them all: o Doubt. o Another obstacle to trusting God is believing that we are in control. o The disease of disability seems to be in total control. There are many days that it is hard not to believe that the disease or disability is on the throne of our lives instead of God. o The fourth obstacle that we are going to discuss that gets in the way of our fully trusting God is FEAR. o Our lack of knowledge of God and finally it is the fact that we do not have an intimate relationship with God.
ChosenFamilies.org is a non-profit, created to provide information to parents, family members, religious leaders and the general public on effective solutions to living in families with hidden disabilities.
We celebrate five years of serving families in the special needs community. We look back on our proudest moments and whats ahead for Need Project.
Begun in San Jose, Calif., in 1986, Young Life Capernaum Ministries is a program of Young Life especially for kids and young adults with disabilities. Young Life Capernaum gives kids and young adults with disabilities the chance to have fun, make friends, develop self-esteem and begin a relationship with Jesus Christ
• Dr. Steve Grcevich currently serves as President and Founder of The Family Center by the Falls,a multidisciplinary behavioral health group practice based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, exclusively devoted to serving children and families. • He also serves as President of Key Ministry Foundation, a non-profit organization charged with assisting churches in the provision of outreach and support services to families of children with hidden disabilities.
Katie Wetherbee • Former special education teacher, Katie has always enjoyed working with children who have special needs. • However, her experience as a mother to a child with special needs has fueled her passion for helping parents. In addition to her work with Key Ministry.
Mike Woods is a father of three boys with autism, and an Autism and Inclusion Specialist. We discuss being fathers and how we as men, think about our children and their future.
Amy is a writer of the blog “The Inclusive Church” and seeks to equip churches to successfully include children with various neurological and physical differences. Amy researches for her writing and speaking by interviewing secular professionals and experienced children’s ministry leaders.
• The Colorado Lions Camp and Conference center was founded in 1969 and they serve 350 campers every summer. • Colorado Lions Camp and Conference Center is a project of the Lions Clubs from the state of Colorado. • There are 15 other camps around the country. • The camp is a year round facility providing summer programs for those with special needs and winter programs available for larger and small groups. • The camp is nestled at 8,500 feet in the mountains of Pike National Forest just west of Colorado Springs and four miles north of Woodland Park on Highway 67N. • In 1964 Lion Dr. ML Crawford offered his cabin in Steamboat Springs to be used for the very first camp session. There were five girls that attended that summer; each girl was visually impaired. I • In 1966 several Lions signed personal notes to purchase the present location of the Colorado Lions Camp. • At the 1968 State Convention, the Lions of Colorado voted to build a permanent camp. Forty acres where purchased from the Brethren in Pike National Forest just north of Woodland Park. • The camp accommodates 50 campers at a time. • Their camps are specifically designed for special needs children: Ages 8 through Senior Adult who are: Visually Impaired Hearing Impaired Down Syndrome Developmentally Delayed Autism Aspergers Syndrome ADD/ADHD *Mentally and Physically Challenged
For More Information: http://www.coloradolionscamp.org/
Kathy Deyer Boulduc is a nationally recognized author and speaker in the field of disability ministry, concentrating on disability’s impact on the family system, and ways in which churches can become more welcoming of families that live with disability.
Dr. James Dobson has been defending families for over 33 years. He is the Founder of Focus on the Family and his new ministry Family Talk. He is the author of over 28 books on marriage and parenting. Dr. Dobson talks with us about the families and what we can do to help them thrive.
Stephanie Hubach is the Special Needs Director for Mission to North America. She is the author of Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability. Stephanie will be speaking at the Life and Justice conference on Disability and the Gospel Jan 22nd http://www.lifeandjusticeconference.org
Cindi Ferrini gives some creative and fun ideas to celebrate the Christmas season with your special need’s child.
Our guest is Patty Dobbs Gross. She is the Founder and Executive director of North Star Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children who face social, emotional and educational challenges and help them reach their goals with the help of well bred and socialized assistance dogs. She is also the author of The Golden Bridge.
Rising Above Ministries is a non-profit organization dedicated to special needs ministry at the church, chapter and community level. Everyone is created by God with a plan, purpose and destiny to reflect His glory.
Beverly is a New York Times bestselling author of novels for adults, children and teens. In this sensitive yet realistic story, Jesse's sister struggles to understand her brother, and the kids who make fun of him. This endearing book will encourage families everywhere to appreciate and befriend children with special needs.This is a great book both for children that have a sibling with special needs as well as for kids that don’t.
Due to a diving accident in 1967, Joni became a quadriplegic. Her life is a wonderful example of faith and perseverance through difficult times. Though she suffered a deep depression and lost the will to live in the aftermath of her accident, she gradually came back to a deeper relationship with God. Through her personal struggles, Joni developed a ministry reaching out to others who were hurting. We replay the interview due to Joni's recent health news.
Henry Jernigan is the author of, Unexpected: Discover God’s Plan for You and Your Unborn Child. The Jernigan's discovered their son “Pierce” would be born with Spina Bifida. They chose to trust God with their child’s unknown circumstances.
A special message for Parents from our president Bob West. Bob Spoke to parents at a special needs parents group.
A Never-Give-Up Heart is a book for moms who have children who have needs that are particularly challenging. The focus is to encourage parents to persevere and to help their children to persevere in discovering their unique and God-given purpose in life.
Jennifer Shaw is a nationally know speaker, singer, and worship leader. Her son Toby was Diagnosed with Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Jennifer talks to us about how early diagnosis and intervention as keys to Toby's success.
Randy and Kesti Suggs are the founders of "Chuckie's Place". Chuckie’s place is a non-profit committed to providing free weekend retreats at a Colorado mountain lodge for families with special needs.
Tammy and Steve are the parents of a 21-year-old Webb, a boy born with a disability so rare that he is yet to be officially diagnosed. In her book "Stories and Meditations from Webb’s Mommy" Tammy reveals the secret to the joy, hope and strength that she and her family exhibit is a result of an unwavering faith in God.
Nathaniel’s Hope was founded in 2002 to meet the needs of kids with special needs (VIP Kids) and their families. VIP Kids are those with any physical, cognitive, medical or hidden disability, chronic or life-threatening illness, or those who are medically fragile.
Due to a diving accident in 1967, Joni became a quadriplegic. Her life is a wonderful example of faith and perseverance through difficult times. Though she suffered a deep depression and lost the will to live in the aftermath of her accident, she gradually came back to a deeper relationship with God. Through her personal struggles, Joni developed a ministry reaching out to others who were hurting.
Roger is the Founder and Executive Director of LEGS. An AK prosthetic leg can cost anywhere from $10,000-$40,000 and upwards of $80,000 for a prosthetic utilizing micro-processor technology. The innovative LEGS prosthetic knee can be manufactured for as los as $15 right in the country where it is needed, using locally available materials and equipment, with the entire prosthesis costing as low as $50. LEGS goal is to transfer this technology to hundreds of prosthetic service providers, via training programs right where they are needed, which will make a positive impact on the productivity and quality of life of tens of thousands of amputees.
Lon helps us to encourage married couples to have a thriving marriage despite the challenges of raising a special needs child, or a spouse that has a disability. Lon has been a counselor at Focus on the Family since 1985, and in the wheelchair since Feb.1991, due to Spinal Chord tumors, and surgeries to remove them.
Becky’s Hope ministries exist to help families of special needs children in the United States and Eastern Europe know the love of God through Jesus Christ, to encourage and equip families to care for their children and see them as valued family members and beautiful gifts from God
Terri Mauro has two teenagers with special needs: a 19-year-old with language-based learning disabilities and a 16-year-old with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, both adopted from Russia in 1994. Terri is the author of 50 Ways to Support Your Child's Special Education and The Everything Parent's Guide to Sensory Integration Disorder. Her website Mothers With Attitude, offering "humor and help for adoptive moms, special-needs moms, any old moms at all," was recognized as a USA Today Hot Site and a Good Housekeeping Site of the Day.
Dave Salkeld and our President, Bob West discuss the mission of Need Project Inc. Hear about our latest projects, our goals for the new year, and how you can be involved.
Our guests are Joe and Cindi Ferrini. Joe and Cindi are the authors of "Our Unexpected Journey". A great book about raising a child with special needs. We discuss the emotions and issues couples go through to find what the Ferrini's call, the new "normal" for their lives.
Peggy Lou Morgan is the Author of multiple book on raising children with Special Needs. We discuss her latest book "Parenting an Adult with Disabilities or Special Needs. Peggy gives practical steps to help parents help their adult child who experiences special needs to create an adult life that works for the individual.
Nina is the founder of Living Proof Testimonies and S.M.I.L.E. on Down syndrome. Support, Management, Information, Love and Encouragement which is a network of support for parents with Special Needs children.
Ron and Christa Smith started a deaf ministry which includes the Deaf Learning Center, Deaf Adult Bible Fellowship and Sunday School for deaf children. Ron and Christa serve at the First Baptist Church Brandon, Florida
Mark Wester is the Executive Director of Mosaic. Mosaic’s Mission: “In partnership with people who have disabilities, Mosaic, provides supports and advocates that all may realize God’s gift of wholeness of life.” Services provided by Mosaic: host home services apartment services, group home, vocational training, supported employment, community participation, and supported living services.
Denise Krug is VP of Mission Services for Goodwill in Colorado Springs. We discuss the services Goodwill offers to those with disabilities. Goodwill is North America’s leading nonprofit provider of education, training, and career services for people with disadvantages, such as welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education or work experience, as well as those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities. Goodwill believes that work has the power to transform lives by building self-confidence, independence, creativity, trust and friendships. Everyone deserves a chance to have these.
The Arc’s Mission Statement: To protect and empower the rights of persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities through Advocacy, Guardianship, Judicial Advocacy, Education. We discuss what that means and how they help those with developmental disabilities.
The state of Colorado has over 10,000 families waiting for services. Amendment 51 would raise the sales tax .02 percent over two years to raise the money needed to end the waiting list for services.
Melissa Horvath has a masters degree in special education and has taught preschool through 6th grade in a variety of settings including regular classrooms and special schools.
Kelly Rosati is the Director of Sanctity of human life for Focus on the Family. we discuss adoption through end of life issues and how they affect those with special needs.
Need Project Inc. is two years old! We talk about our goals for the next year and what we are doing to bring resources to the special needs community.
Christy Stettler is the Executive Director of the Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center. We discuss the benefits of therapeutic riding and hippotherapy. Christy shares how the program works and how therapeutic riding is helping many people with varying disabilities improve their quality of life.
Part II of our interview with Tom Bushnell. Tom talks to us about CHASK, Christian homes and special kids. A great ministry of trying to find homes for every child. Tom shares his story of adoption and bringing of hope in the special needs community.
Our Guest is Tom Bushnell. Tom and his wife Sherry are directors of NATHHAN; National Challenged Home schoolers Associated Network. We discuss home schooling and the issues that surround the education of our children with special needs. Part II we discuss CHASK, Christian Homes Special Kids. Tom and Sherry’s other ministry finding homes for children in need of adoption.
Diagnosis issues with Lon Adams. Lon talks to us about the issues parents go through when they get diagnosis of a special need. We learn some helpful things we as parents should know about dealing with the emotions surrounding our special needs family.
John Fuller is Vice President of Focus on the Family Broadcasting, John is also the co-host of the daily “Focus on the Family” radio program with Dr. James Dobson. John talks with us about his family and the issues surrounding raising a child with autism.
David is an internationally know speaker, who has been sharing his story with people in every kind of setting since 1973. In his book Just As I Am David tells about the heartaches and victories of his life with Cerebral Palsy.
David is an internationally know speaker, who has been sharing his story with people in every kind of setting since 1973. In his book Just As I Am David tells about the heartaches and victories of his life with Cerebral Palsy.
Beth has been a longtime advocate for those with disabilities. For over twenty-five years she has run Sunday school programs for adults with special needs. Beth has a heart for those who she serves and is a champion for the disabled community.
It is difficult for those with a need to ask for it. Bob West spoke with a group about what they can do to help parents with special needs children or other in need.
Kyle West was on the Focus on the family broadcast at age seven and part of the video series the Truth project at age thirteen. He speaks his mind about the teenage years and how his disability affects being a teen.
We continue our conversation talking about family, friends and church. How can others help and how can we help our family survive the tough times.
Part I of a great conversation with Dr. Walt Larimore and his wife Barb. We discuss how their childs diagnosis affected their marriage and what couples can do to strengthen their marriage in this time of crisis.
We talk with Mary Pierce and Debbie Swanson about the services offered by The Resource Exchange of Colorado Springs.
Dr. Peter Armstrong is the Chief Medical Officer of the Shriners Hospitals for Children. We discuss the services that the Shriners Hospitals give to children and how they are different from other hospitals.
President Liberty Ebright and Executive Director Sara Berge talk to us about the Cerebral Palsy Association of the Pikes Peak area. Understanding what the association does and how they are trying to help Individuals and Families dealing with Cerebral Palsy.
Lily Frasch is a Licensed physical therapist helping us understand what therapy is all about.