Episode 145: How might the church care for parents of special needs kids? (Gigi Khonyongwa-Fernandez)

Parents of special needs kids face a special kind of grief and a special kind of struggle. Yet, so often their needs go overlooked and unmet in their own churches.

Gigi Khonyongwa-Fernandez, author of From Rollercoasters to Carousels: An Emotional Support Guide to Healing for NICU, Bereaved and Special Needs Parents, shares her story and the emotions she and other NICU, bereaved and special needs parents experience.

In this episode, she opens up about how parents like her deal with ongoing grief and trauma. Among the points that come up in this discussion are:

• How we are all close to someone who experiences trauma, most of all in our churches
• NICU, bereaved and special needs parents struggle to allow themselves to feel their emotions
• Sometimes, churches do not make space for those who are grieving to grieve as fully and as long as they need

How might the church come alongside NICU, bereaved and special needs parents?

Links for this episode:

BT and Gigi reference both 2 Corinthians 1:4 and Proverbs 27:14

The Christian Chronicle's feature on Khonyogwa-Fernandez: https://christianchronicle.org/connector-in-chief-trauma-informed-coach-brings-the-world-together/

Donate to support this ministry of "information and inspiration" at christianchronicle.org/donate

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