special needs kids

Friends Forever: Special Needs Boy & Special Needs Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

It is a day I will remember as pure joy for as long as I live…

Two years ago, a 3-year old little boy named Jackson was having a hard time accepting wearing a night brace on his leg because of a form of Cerebral Palsy he has. His mom found my book, “Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog” and read it to him.  Almost immediately he saw the connection and said, “I have to wear my brace like Frankie!” He now refers to his brace as his “Frankie brace.”

He just turned five and his mom planned a birthday party for him. When she asked who he wanted to invite he said, “Barb and Frankie.”  Now keep in mind, Frankie and I met him when he was three, then again a year ago, but have only been with him twice. Frankie and Jackson have this amazing connection that I have a feeling only the two of them truly understand.

They live near Barrington, IL which is roughly a 3-hour trip from our home in Elkhart Lake, but when a darling little 5-year old special little boy makes such a request, it is hard to say no.  Besides, how often does one turn five?!?!  The best part is his mom decided to make it a surprise… and indeed it was.

Jackson’s mom, Dawn blind-folded him so he couldn’t see us come in.  When he and his mom knelt down, Dawn put Jackson’s hand on Frankie and said, “Who is this?”  Jackson pet Frankie’s head and said, “Frankie!”  He then could not get his blind-fold off fast enough to see his forever friend, Frankie.

So in pictures and video the wonderful event…

Sue Hume, Mom of Special Needs Girls Reviews Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

I love Sue's blog tag line:  "Helping Women Find Hope."

Sue Hume is special mom of two teenage girls and founder of Hope for Special Moms, a ministry that provides spiritual support and encouragement to women raising children with special needs. She is also a writer and speaker passionate to help women discover who God is and how He works in their lives.

Sue's review of Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog was extra special.  I appreciated the fact that she said, "Although it's not a faith-based book, an adult could easily add comments throughout about prayer and God."  I wrote back to Sue and thanked her for this and shared with her that when I do my talks to local schools and organizations, how I talk about how my faith in God got me through everything with Frankie, to writing the book, etc.  And as many of you know, who follow me, I do have a strong faith and had made the decision to look for the blessing in Frankie's situation, instead of feeling sorry for Frankie and myself.

Having that faith and doing my best to "Let Go and Let God" has made this journey quite remarkable to date, and for that I am so very thankful… and just as thankful for people like Sue, who see the value and beauty in the lessons a dog on wheels can not only teach our children, but adults as well.

As a special bonus, Sue had Frankie's book as a give-away to pass the message forward and you can check out this special little girl who won the book!!