April 01, 2025

Susanna Zekas: Navigating the Journey of Special-Needs Parenting

39 minutes

About Susanna

Susanna lives in Jacksonville, FL and is a special-needs mom times three. Larson, age 23, survived a near-fatal brain aneurysm rupture at age 14 and lives with short-term memory impairment and left-side hemiparesis. Andrew, age 21, has high-functioning autism, and Wesley, age 15 has Down syndrome. Susanna and her husband Larry have been married for 28 years.

In her “former life” before Larson’s medical issues began, Susanna taught middle and high school at Trinity Christian Academy, her alma mater. Susanna is now full-time mom and caretaker of her three guys and leads the special needs ministry at Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL which connects special needs families with the Church, with each other, with community resources, and ultimately to the hope found in Christ even in the midst of extreme difficulties. The ministry of Special Needs at Trinity includes weekly Kaleidoscope classes, family socials, By the Brook, and more!

Nothing thrills Susanna more than meeting a new family who realizes with relief that there is a place for their loved one with special needs at church or seeing a participant who was hesitant when coming to class the first time but now runs through the door every Sunday excited to be there!

About the Episode

In this conversation, Susanna Zekas shares her journey as a mother of three boys, each with unique needs, including Down syndrome and autism. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of special-needs parenting, the impact of early diagnoses, and the importance of community support. Susanna reflects on significant breakthroughs in her children's lives and her hopes for their futures as they transition into adulthood. She emphasizes the significance of understanding grief, connecting with other families, and finding joy in adversity through love and gratitude.