Rising Above with Becky Davidson

*Message for our Spotify listeners: We apologize for the gap in our podcast distribution on this platform. If you want to find the episodes you missed, you can catch up on our website: www.risingaboveministries.org/podcast 

*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.

https://openmicrecordingstudio.com/

About Molly

Molly is the mother to a wonderful young man who just happens to be on the autism spectrum. She began her journey with children with special needs while attending college and receiving her degrees in education. Shortly after she received her masters in special education she realized her son was exhibiting some characteristics of ASD. I took him to the doctor and got a formal diagnosis. After that, she dove headfirst into the community of families and children with special needs. Alongside great partners, like Rising Above, she has been able to flourish and become involved in so many amazing organizations.

*Message for our Spotify listeners: We apologize for the gap in our podcast distribution on this platform. If you want to find the episodes you missed, you can catch up on our website: www.risingaboveministries.org/podcast 

*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.

https://openmicrecordingstudio.com/

*The contents in this episode could be difficult for some to hear. Listener discretion is advised.

About Sarah

Allan and Sarah are the owners and directors of Autism Acres in Washington State, which is a special place for ALL special needs families to come play, connect, and belong. Allan is in the military and they have been married 16 years. They have spent years understanding the feelings of isolation that often accompany being a special-needs family as well as a military family.

They have 3 boys with autism so going anywhere as a family felt nearly impossible. That is why God put it on their heart to open Autism Acres, a 5-acre fully-fenced yard and closed-in barn for kids to come play with a commercial bounce house, trampoline, play shed, and a wheelchair-accessible play structure. They want families to know someone sees them and someone cares, and they truly enjoy loving and serving a community that they fit right into.

Related Links

Autism Acres Facebook page

www.autismacres.org

instagram: @autismacres3

*Message for our Spotify listeners: We apologize for the gap in our podcast distribution on this platform. If you want to find the episodes you missed, you can catch up on our website: www.risingaboveministries.org/podcast 

*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.

https://openmicrecordingstudio.com/

About Katie

Katie Matthews is a mom of two, The Banquet Network’s Executive Director, the director of a special need’s ministry called Bethany Blessings, and a pastor's wife. She is passionate about bringing the gospel to families of individuals with special needs and seeks to train other church members on how to minister to these families. Her desire is for the church to love individuals who have special needs as best we can on this side of eternity so that they would one day be able to meet Jesus face to face.

Related Links

Banquet Network website

Banquet Network Facebook

Banquet Network Instagram

*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.

https://openmicrecordingstudio.com/

About Catherine

Catherine Boyle currently serves as Mental Health Ministry Director, Blog Editor, and Social Media Manager. Catherine has been impacted by mental health issues her entire life, including her own struggles with anorexia, bulimia, social anxiety and depression, as well as mental health, autism and other struggles in her friends and family.

Related Links

www.keyministry.org 

catherineboyle.com

Catherine's Facebook

Catherine's Instagram

*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios. https://openmicrecordingstudio.com/

About Sandy

Sandy Ramsey-Trayvick is a mom of three, including a son who has special needs. She has been a huge blessing to us at Rising Above Ministries for the last couple years. She is so wise and kind, and each conversation with her points us to Jesus! Sandy leads a community group via Zoom, and we are so grateful for her willingness to pour into other special-needs moms.

Related Links

Sandy's website: https://www.undisabledlives.org 

Sandy's past episodes:

Episode 88 on the Rising Above podcast

Season 3, Episode 1 on the Rising Above podcast

Today, Steve Chatman takes over the podcast to share about a BIG event coming up for dads, Base Camp! Dads- don't miss this opportunity to gather with other dads who understand the special-needs journey for a weekend to rest, reconnect, and recharge. 

Find out more and sign up at www.risingaboveministries.org/base-camp!

About Kathy

Kathy Caruso has been married to Dan for almost 30 years. She has been a special-needs mom, caregiver, and advocate of 27 years for their son, Nick who has fought a battle with severe autism spectrum disorder and co-morbities most of his life. She has facilitated and led initiatives and ministry for individuals with autism and other disabilities and is a published author and advocate.

Related Links

Facebook:

Kathy Jo Caruso 

Better Together at Redeemer

About Stephanie

Stephanie Hubach serves as a Research Fellow in Disability Ministries in affiliation with Covenant Theological Seminary. She was the Founding Director of MNA Special Needs Ministries, which is now called Engaging Disability, the denominational disability ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America. She is the author of several books, including "Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability" and, recently, "Parenting & Disabilities: Abiding in God's Presence." Steph and her husband Fred have two adult sons, the younger of whom has Down syndrome.

Related Links

www.stephaniehubach.com

*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.

https://openmicrecordingstudio.com/