Rising Above with Becky Davidson

From time to time on the podcast, we love sharing sermons from the late Jeff Davidson, the former co-founder of Rising Above. Jeff was an excellent communicator, and his journey raising a child with special needs was full of relatable experiences that he was able to share through blogs and teaching times. We are thankful his legacy lives on through these words of wisdom he imparted during his life.

About Doc

Stephen “Doc” Hunsley, M.D. is the Executive Director and founder of SOAR Special Needs in Lenexa, Kansas. SOAR (Special Opportunities, Abilities, and Relationships) serves over 1000 individuals with disabilities through regular respite events and Special Needs Day Camps.  Doc is currently assisting over 500 churches locally, nationally, and globally in starting a Disability Ministry. Doc also organizes the Wonderfully Made Conference held annually every October in Kansas City. Doc is a retired pediatrician while his wife, Kay, continues practicing pediatrics. They are proud parents to three beautiful children: Luke, Mark, and Sarah. The Hunsley’s middle child, Mark, is presently running the halls of heaven. During Mark’s five-year earthly stay, he gave his family the opportunity to learn from and love a child with autism.

Related Links

www.SOARSpecialNeeds.org

@DocHunsley on Twitter

Stephen Doc Hunsley on Facebook and LinkedIn

SOAR Special Needs on FB

@SOARSpecialNeed on Twitter

About Sarah

Sarah Broady lives in southern Indiana with her husband Kyle and three teenage boys, Ben, Sam and Josh. Their son Sam was diagnosed with autism at age 2, and their lives have been spent navigating special needs in therapy, school, church, the community, with extended family, and at home. Sarah began her blog Hope in Autism as a way to chronicle her journey as a special needs parent, but soon realized the blog was a means to encourage others and find others to journey alongside. Sarah is also the producer and host of A Special Hope podcast, available on all platforms.

Related Links

Website: https://hopeinautism 

Podcast: https://hopeinautism.com/aspecialhopepodcast/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeinautism 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeinautism/

*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.

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About Steven

Steven is the father to a wonderful daughter with down syndrome, as well as being the President and Founder of Three Twenty One Tribe RC, which helps bless families in difficult situations.

Related Links

www.threetwentyonetribe.com

*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.

https://openmicrecordingstudio.com/

About Kyle & Bobbie

Kyle and Bobbie Robinson founded Aces for Autism, a nonprofit ABA Therapy Center, after the diagnosis of their son, Samuel. Currently, Kyle serves as Co-Founder/President and Bobbie Robinson serves as Co-founder/Director of Community and Family Relations.

Related Links

www.acesforautismnc.com

Aces for Autism Facebook page

Instagram: @acesforautismnc

*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.

https://openmicrecordingstudio.com/

About Steve

Steve Chatman is joining us as Vice President of Ministry Advancement & Pastoral Care. He has served as a pastor for over 20 years in Tennessee. He is husband to Lori, dad to 5 kiddos, and has 3 grandkids! We are excited to have his unique perspective as a pastor, husband, & dad raising two children with special needs.

*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.

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About Rebecca

Rebecca Suarez is an adoptive single Mamá to an incredible 14-year-old special-needs kiddo. She is a high school Spanish teacher and works with English Language Learners in her school. She loves to spend time with her girl, singing, reading, and working in her flower beds. She is God’s Poiema.

Related Links

Rising Above Community Groups

*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.

https://openmicrecordingstudio.com/

About Michael

Michael England is the general manager for the new coffee shop created especially for special-needs individuals to work, called The Exceptional Bean. Formerly from Crossville, TN, Michael now resides in Cookeville with his wife, Cigi (his claim to fame). Michael graduated from Tennessee Tech University at age 40, and is an avid runner. He runs with Ainsley's Angels (a group that encourages and provides inclusion for special-needs athletes in running events), recently finished 3rd overall in the Memphis St. Jude Marathon (raising $10,500), and also recently qualified and ran the Boston Marathon. Michael says, "I’m 42 and got sober at 35 so I have been an actual adult for 7ish years." He's at his worst when watching Tennessee Volunteer football and at his best when he's running or helping others with his wife. 

Related Links

Michael's Facebook

Michael's Instagram: @michaelwade474 

Exceptional Bean on Facebook

Exceptional Bean on Instagram: @theexceptionalbean

**Contact for Exceptional Bean: [email protected]

*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.

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About Kay

Kay Morgan-our is the Co-founder of the Additional Needs Alliance. She is a consultant, trainer, writer and speaker on disability and additional needs, covering all areas and every age group.

Related Links

www.theponderingplatypus.com

www.ponderingplatypusresources.com 

Twitter: @KayMorgan_Gurr

Kay's Facebook Page 

*Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.

https://openmicrecordingstudio.com/