Flexibility, Expectations, and Travel

We went! We did the thing. We took our first cruise. Also, we included our special needs daughter, who has been on limited travel with us for the last few years. It started with a hopeful question, “Could we take her on a cruise?” Unlike other travel, we would not be closed in on an…

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Count Your Blessings

Kim and Kelly @ SpeakUp

In a few weeks, we will say goodbye to 2023. Recently, I’ve been mindful that it has been a great year! As a special needs mom/family, if we’re not careful, the challenges and logistics can get highlighted more than the blessings. Not this year! Here are some of the things I’m thankful for in 2023……

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Saying Thank You

Hope is Alive with Tim Tebow - Joe & Kim Cusimano

Saying Thank You Fifteen seconds, that’s about all the time we spent with Tim Tebow. However, that was long enough to say thank you. I’m sure he has heard it a thousand times, but I needed to say it one time, personally. Tim Tebow’s foundation sponsors the Night to Shine event for adults with differing…

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Tend the Roses

Image of a Rose

As special needs parents, we care for people daily and have added responsibilities. We generally don’t want to add more chores around the house. But hear me out. I would submit we also tend to something else besides caring for our loved ones, something that grows and brings life to our homes in other ways.…

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Having Fun Trying

Nate and Anna at Frozen

We took our 24-year-old daughter to see Frozen, the musical. Honestly, we were hesitant to spend the money on the tickets. We just never know what she will enjoy. If you ask her in advance, she often says “no” to offers to do something fun. Her emotional cues can be flat and hard to read.…

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Power of Small

father getting son ready for wakeboarding

It’s January when new goals, resolutions, and good intentions are swirling around in our minds. One of my goals is to serve other people outside of my family. I don’t want to keep my focus so nearsighted that I forget other people and families have needs too. As a caregiver to two in my own…

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One Day at a Time

present tag with red and white string placed on white background

Oh, 2022, where have you gone? It’s December, and I can feel the year fading fast. I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect and update. I have been on an unintended/unplanned sabbatical of sorts. I write on this site to encourage special needs parents and caregivers, yet this year I had to take…

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Afraid? Go Anyway!

Lynnette Simm and Kim Cusimano

As a special needs family, we are blessed to have friends and extended family who come alongside us and have the courage to be ALL IN when it comes to walking through difficult times with us. About a year or so ago, our special needs daughter was going through a tough time. We were trying…

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Words of Gratitude and Celebration!

Kim Cusimano Books Pic

Wow, Full Joy Ministries has already been up and running a few months now! Thank you to all those who have visited the new site. Let’s celebrate and recap together! March brought the launch of the new book, Staying Power, Building A Stronger Marriage When Life Sends Its Worst. Staying Power was written by Carol…

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Encouraging Our Typical Children

Encouraging Our Typical Children

Trying to find the perfect words to say when our children are struggling with an issue can be a challenge. Rarely in the moment do we feel we said exactly the right thing. It seems all too often I come up with the best things to say after my child has left the room. This…

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