Toppling the Idol of Ideal

Book excerpt: EMBRACING THE CHALLENGES, CONTENDING FOR THEIR DESTINY The stats are changing. It's no longer just the rare family who has a child with autism, ADHD, Tourette's syndrome, or other brain chemistry concerns. As parents raising children with these or other hidden disabilities, we need compassionate voices who can listen and help us with the practical issues: fighting despair, judgment, and educational hurdles; deciding about medications; handling the labeling; and negotiating the responses of schools and the church. Perhaps most importantly, we need assurances that our children will be okay and that we will survive and even thrive spiritually as we grapple with the daily challenges. We are contending for their destiny as well as ours. Melanie Boudreau is a graduate of the University of Texas, School of Allied Health, with a degree in Medical Technology. The mother of one child who is neurotypical and two with neuropsychiatric disorders, Melanie uses her education to interact with specialists and research interventions for her children. She works as Team Director for Apostolic Intercessors Network, a Christian business that links professional level intercessors and spiritual warfare strategists with individuals, families, and workplace leaders around the globe.