Rising Above with Becky Davidson

About the Episode

In the second part of this powerful two-part series, Becky Davidson sits down again with licensed professional counselor Catherine Virden to go deeper into the emotional and relational dynamics of raising children with disabilities. They discuss how to find the right kind of therapeutic support, unpack trauma responses, and offer real-life strategies to help families maintain connection and emotional health amidst ongoing challenges.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or professional supporting special needs families, this episode offers compassionate insight and actionable guidance for strengthening your relationships and emotional resilience.

Related Links

Restore Retreat Experience 

Dr. Preston Hill's work

Wild at Heart Podcast

Dr. Christine Baker  ig: @drcbtherapy

Dr. Larry Crabb - several books

About the Episode

In this powerful episode Becky is joined by Licensed Professional Counselor, Catherine Virden for an honest and insightful conversation about the impact of trauma and stress—especially within families navigating disabilities. Becky shares her personal path into counseling, how her lived experiences shaped her approach, and the importance of recognizing both big “T” and little “t” trauma.

Together, they explore how the nervous system responds to stress, introduce practical tools for managing trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze, and fawn), and emphasize the importance of listening to your body. 

Whether you're a caregiver, parent, or simply someone seeking a deeper understanding of trauma, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and encouragement.

Related Links

Find a Community Group!

Hey Friend Videos on App

About this Episode

Becky Davidson and friends continue their series on life in the disability world, focusing on soul care and self-care for parents. Discussion on redefining self-care beyond traditional notions like bubble baths, emphasizing "soul care" and daily practices that nurture the spirit. Insights into the importance of community and friendship, and how inviting others into your life can combat isolation. Personal stories about the challenges and joys of raising children with disabilities, including the significance of celebrating micro milestones. A candid conversation about the invisible load of mental health in disability parenting. 

Related Links

Comparison Trap Small Group Study 

Rising Above App

One Minute Pause app 

Lectio 365 App

About the Episode

In this episode of Rising Above with Becky Davidson, hosts Becky, Mandy, and Dusti share their experiences as parents of children with disabilities, exploring the emotional connections formed through shared stories. They discuss the use of ChatGPT in their lives, humorous hospital experiences, and the unexpected expertise they gain in medical situations. The conversation highlights the importance of laughter in parenting, the challenges of navigating medical emergencies, and the community support that helps them through tough times.

Title: Embracing the Journey

Description: Join us as we dive into an inspiring conversation with Mallory, who shares her heartfelt journey of adoption, family life, and finding joy amidst challenges. Discover the beauty of choosing joy, the surprises of international adoption, and the power of community support.

Related Links:

App

Episode Title: Confident Hope in the Midst of Medical Trials

In this episode, Becky sits down with her friend Kim to share a deeply personal story about a recent medical challenge involving a scheduled G-Tube placement for Jon Alex that didn’t go as planned. Through their honest and heartfelt conversation, Becky opens up about how she found “Confident Hope” even in the midst of uncertainty and fear.

Together, Becky and Kim reflect on the power of friendship during life’s hardest moments—especially when facing medical struggles. They discuss the importance of showing up for one another, leaning on faith, and sharing the gospel during times of crisis. Their dialogue also touches on the delicate balance of advocating for loved ones while remaining grounded in grace and peace.

This episode is a powerful reminder of what it means to trust God through the unknown and walk with others in love and hope.

Related Links

Rising Above website/resources

This podcast honors a dear friend and supporter of Rising Above, Becky's sister, Susan. She unexpectedly passed two weeks ago, and we wanted to take an opportunity to honor her life and legacy through some of her messages of hope.

About the Episode

Dusti joins Becky to discuss By the Brook (coming up this weekend!) and the opportunity to join us virtually or at a host site!

Related Links

www.risingaboveministries.org/bythebrook

About Chris

Chris and Andrea from Nashville, Tennessee, adopted two babies from Russia in 1998. That began a lifelong journey, including an autism diagnosis for their son, Joshua, when he turned 18 years old. Chris discovered Jeff's book "Common Man, Extraordinary Call" to lead a group of special needs dads in 2020. This group spent two years carefully navigating this wonderful "trailblazing book" that digs deep into the heart of a dad with a special needs child. From those years of transformation and inspiration from Jeff's example, Chris wrote a small group study guide as a starting point for special needs dads called "The Journey with Our Kids". Today is a different story for Chris and Josh, a contentious and anger-filled childhood restored through God's mercy, Josh's forgiving heart, and Jeff's book.

About the Episode

In this conversation, Chris Riley shares his journey as a father of children with special needs, detailing the challenges and transformations he experienced through adoption, diagnosis, and emotional struggles. He reflects on the importance of connection, forgiveness, and the impact of a pivotal book that changed his perspective on parenting. The discussion emphasizes the significance of delighting in children and the journey of personal growth as a father. In this conversation, Chris Riley shares his journey of creating a supportive community for fathers of special needs children. He discusses the importance of understanding the unique communication needs of these children and how shared experiences can transform the lives of dads. Chris emphasizes the need for resources tailored to special-needs parenting and reflects on the lessons learned through his own parenting journey. He concludes with insights on finding joy in imperfection and the importance of humility in the parenting process.

Related Links

Common Man, Extraordinary Call

About Me (from Elizabeth)

My name is Elizabeth, and my journey started with me asking God what He wanted out of my life instead of me asking for doors to be opened. He clearly said “I want you to have children who you teach to know and love me but they will not ask come through you.” Then He sent me to China! I adopted this beautiful 11 month old baby who Chinese name was Ya Wei which is pronounced the same as Gods Yahweh. Every step of the journey was God! Three months home, we got an unexpected diagnosis of athetoid cerebral palsy. I grieved, cried, but also put on my big girl pants and tried to do the only thing I knew…to tackle it! I researched, embraced the world of therapies, and learned to be a servant! Every season was hard and sweet all at the same time. Then came a season of zero sleep! This was the hardest season. I just cried out to God. I felt the covenant between us and just cried out for help because I couldn’t function at all. We as a family were falling apart. Well he sent two people asking why she didn’t have a neurologist. At this point, I was questioning the journey! I knew God is good but this journey was not always feeling good. After the hard seasons, I have been praying about finding the joy in this journey in this season. God has pointed out so many joyful moments. It has taught me God truly cares about of it and to asks him for help!

About the Episode

In this conversation, Elizabeth Jones shares her profound journey of motherhood, focusing on her experiences with adoption and raising a child with special needs. She reflects on her initial struggles with infertility, her decision to adopt, and the challenges faced during the adoption process, particularly in China. Throughout her story, she emphasizes the importance of faith, joy, and the unexpected turns that life can take, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of love and family. In this heartfelt conversation, Elizabeth shares her journey of adopting a special needs child, navigating the complexities of grief, faith, and the joy found in small milestones. She discusses the ongoing challenges of parenting a child with cerebral palsy, the importance of community support, and how her faith has been a guiding force through difficult times. Elizabeth emphasizes the significance of celebrating every achievement, no matter how small, and the transformative power of love and resilience in the face of adversity.