Welcome!
Are you the parent of a child with a disability? Perhaps a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling of a loved one with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or some other developmental disability? Are you searching for God in a difficult situation? Maybe you have a friend who is struggling to accept a child’s disability and you’re not quite sure how to help. Perhaps you’re a pastor, a Sunday school teacher, or youth leader who is looking for ways to welcome and include challenged children in your church. If so, you’ve come to the right spot.
Autism & Alleluias
 “I was deeply moved by Kathleen Deyer Bolduc's book about her journey with Joel, her son. Most autism resources are either clinical in nature, or deceptively upbeat and sugary sweet. While Kathy acknowledges 'slogging through the wet cement' of her days, her extraordinary book is about valuing, honoring, and enjoying the unexpected gifts of her son.“

Ginny Thornburgh, Program Director, Interfaith Initiative, American Association of People with Disabilities
His Name is Joel
 “I wish everyone could read this book! It is a work of art, a timeless meditation, a wise insight, a deep sigh, a fresh breeze, a good chuckle, and a healing therapy, all rolled into one. In 127 pages, easy-to-read-in-5-minute pieces, Ms. Bolduc gives an honest, straightforward tour through the inner and outer experience of a parent whose child has a disability. This is no sugarcoated piety, or politically correct propaganda. Instead, it is a rich taste from the banquet of life, seasoned with the bitter as well as the sweet, and in the end, extremely satisfying.“

Rev. Sarah Eastes, Director of Training and Public Education Council for Retarded Citizens, Louisville, KY. Author of Agenda for Real Life
A Place Called Acceptance
“A Place Called Acceptance is a powerful resource for congregations who want to be communities of welcome and encouragement for families of children with disabilities. In an amazing economy of pages, the author’s own moving story of parenting a child with disabilities provides a portal into clear, concrete ways every congregation can take to experience the value of including families with special needs – and special gifts – in the life of the people of faith.”

Diana R. Garland, Ph.D. author of Family Ministry: A Comprehensive Guide
Kathleen Deyer Bolduc is a nationally recognized author and speaker in the field of disability ministry, concentrating on disability’s impact on the family system, and the ways in which churches can welcome and support families that live with disability. The mother of a 24-year-old son with autism and moderate intellectual disabilities, her story is one of searching for God in the midst of disability; the story of attempting to make sense of something utterly senseless – a beautiful boy with a damaged brain. Her prayer is that by piecing together research on disability, family systems theory, and the church with her own personal story, the dry bones of factual information will assume human form – for disability always takes on human form. Our society, in its tendency to categorize and label, often forgets this. Joel, as cognitively impaired as he is, has proven to be a powerful agent of transformation in Kathy’s life. Kathy invites you to share the journey through her books and her musings on these pages. If you’re in need of a speaker or workshop leader, she would love to hear from you. She can be reached at katebolduc@gmail.com.
The photograph of Joel and Kathy is courtesy of The Cincinnati Enquirer.