Author Archives: melissa

People First Language

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God He created them. Genesis 1:27

By: Melissa Pope

Let’s talk about People First Language. It’s pretty simple really. This is language that emphasizes the person NOT the disability.

I can’t tell you how many times, from well meaning people, I have heard the phrase “Down syndrome baby”. Honestly, it’s like fingernails on the chalkboard. She’s a “child with Down syndrome”. She doesn’t “suffer from” and isn’t “afflicted with” Down syndrome.

Similarly, we need to re-think the descriptive wording of any disability. People are not wheelchair bound, instead they use or need a wheelchair. A person is visually impaired not simply a “blind” man. Children or adults with learning disabilities have special needs. People who don’t have learning disabilities are “typical” (instead of “normal”).

And while I’ve got your ear let’s get rid of that “R” word (retarded). When I’ve used it in the past, it was a reference to something dumb, illogical or weird. People with Down syndrome can be classified as mentally retarded (MR). If you get to know and love them they are definitely not any of those descriptions.

The words we use shape the perceptions of our society. God doesn’t make mistakes. If all of us are truly made in His image, the words we use should be sensitive and fair.

Links I’ve found helpful:

-What is it like to raise a child with a disability?

Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley

-National Down syndrome groups

National Down Syndrome Congress

-Support organization for families and children with special needs – NWA

abilitytree

Related Article by Melissa Pope: A Not-So-Typical Life

A Not-So-Typical Life

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“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

By: Melissa Pope

My youngest daughter, Chloe, has Down syndrome. Just as every typical child has differing abilities and needs, so does every child with Down syndrome.

Before she was born we knew there was a chance our baby would have Down syndrome. We chose not to have further testing. I was already about 20 weeks along.
The moment I looked at her newborn face, I knew she had Down syndrome. As we told people her diagnosis, I could tell that some felt sorry for us. There were others that were truly encouraging. I think God used two previous miscarriages to prepare us to be thankful for His gifts.

As an infant Chloe was healthy and growing. As with any child, decisions need to be made about what is best for each child. There are a few extra decisions to be made about therapies and medical treatments for children with disabilities. Chloe started occupational, physical and speech therapies at about 5 weeks. We continue to make decisions about what is best for her one day at a time – just like we do with her two older sisters.

Every year at preschool pre-registration, I agonized about what to do – full time at the special needs preschool or part-time at the preschool her sisters had attended. In the end we kept her at the preschool for typical children as she had kept up with her goals for self-care.

She has started kindergarten and attends a typical class with an aide. She spends time in a self-contained classroom to work on reading and math. The educational process is a whole post unto itself! Just remember that you are your child’s number one advocate. Your questions should be answered to your satisfaction. Ask other parents of children with special needs what they experienced and how it worked for them. Make the best informed choice possible for your child.

I have always felt that we are the most blessed family to have Chloe with us. We get to see the world through our Creator’s eyes. Chloe has an amazing gift of encouragement. The first time I realized this was before she was a year old. Chloe reached out to be held by a gentleman while we were at church. She wrapped her soft arms around his neck and squeezed him with a hug that only a person with Down syndrome has. As tears came to his eyes, I recalled that only a few months earlier he and his wife had lost their adult daughter to cancer. He really needed that hug!

If you have a friend or relative who has a child with a disability, my advice is to remember that every child is a blessing. God gave us all unique gifts and abilities. We are made in His image! It’s ok to ask heartfelt questions.

Sadly, ninety percent of all pregnancies involving Down syndrome are ended by abortion. As a society we have to stop rating people by their ability to be “normal” and the amount of “stuff” they can produce in the work place. I often think people with mental or physical challenges like Chloe are the ones who are truly perfect and we “typical” people are the ones who are missing the point of life.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God He created them. Genesis 1:27

Related Article by Melissa Pope: People First Language

Illustrate the Easter Story – Resurrection Cookies

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“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7

By: Melissa Pope

Easter will be here here soon! My family enjoys our Easter traditions. One of our favorites is making Resurrection Cookies together. Here are the instructions:

You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar

3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible

Instructions:
These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F.
*** (this is very important — don’t wait until you are half done with the recipe).
Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon
to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He
was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar
to drink. Read: John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life
to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest
into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers,
and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the
sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to
know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins
have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66

GO TO BED!

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.
Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22

On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked
surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed
to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9

~Source for these cookies is unknown, but thanks to Mendi, my MOPS (Mother’s of Preschoolers) friend, for sharing it all those years ago in our MOPS group.

Achan’s Sin

“But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan … took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.” Joshua 7:1

By: Melissa Pope

I’ve mentioned my girls’ Bible quiz participation. One year the study was on the book of Joshua. Our family is also reading through the Bible chronologically. This evening the story of Achan again caught my attention.
The battle of Jericho is a familiar one. The story of Achan’s sin follows and may not be one that you recall. The Israelite children were instructed by God to keep away from the devoted things (6:18). Achan however disregarded this command of God. He took a Babylonian robe, silver and gold from the city and hid it in his tent.
In the Israelites next battle against Ai they were soundly defeated because the Lord was not with them. They had disobeyed the Lord.
I expect obedience from my children. God expects obedience from His children. As a child of God I want to be obedient to Him. The story of Achan reminds me not to become attached to “devoted things” of the world.