Dos and Donts When Explaining Disability to Your Typically Developing Children

October 31, 2022

Webinar: Wonderfully Made

August 11, 2022

We are created in the image of God, "fearfully and wonderfully" made by our Creator, yet most of us fail to appreciate the complexities of our bodies and how miraculously they operate. This discussion focuses on the wonder of our bodies, how disabilities lead to other abilities, and what we can do to fulfill our unique potential even with illnesses and disabilities.

Asperger’s and Other Superpowers

August 11, 2022

A Man Born Blind Sees Great Possibilities

August 11, 2022

Strength in Community

June 29, 2022

Pres. Melanie DiStefano speaks with Eleni Anast about finding faith, hope, and direction through prayer, spiritual counsel, and community as she and her husband grew their family through open adoption and faced their daughter's Autism diagnosis. She and her husband focus on and cultivate their children's strengths, cherish daily routines together, and balance their active lives according to every family member's needs and interests.

A Second Chance

June 29, 2022

Presvytera Melanie speaks with her parents Pete and Alexis Tsikouris about learning from their past mistakes, what they want most for their grandson with disabilities, and what they cherish most about their relationship with him.

Webinar: Doing Lent with Disabilities

June 27, 2022

The increased prayer services, fasting, and almsgiving guidelines during Lent can seem illusive for families with disabilities. Discerning ways and degrees to which the whole family can journey through Lent together often causes frustration. This webinar shares tools, ideas, and lessons learned for helping your family enjoy a fruitful Lent.

A Life Changing Conversation

April 15, 2022

Our days are filled with tasks that require our attention. Unexpectedly, Christ comes alongside us. Christ invites us to turn our attention towards Him. Right in the middle of our mundane tasks, Christ invites us to participate in a potentially life transforming encounter. At Jacob’s well, St. Photini talked with Christ. In the place where we are at the present moment, Christ comes to us. Christ reaches out to us. Again and again, Christ invites us to respond to His abundant loving kindness.

When We Believe God Is Love

February 8, 2022

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Hieromonk Michael Ziebarth about his relationship with Mother Gavrilia of blessed memory, the plans for republishing the book on her life, The Ascetic of Love, and experiencing God's light, joy, and peace through her example and prayers, even amid life's most difficult blessings.

How Weekday Liturgies Transformed Her Family

February 8, 2022

The Gift of Embracing Human Vulnerability

February 8, 2022

Fully Human Family Feature, Episode 1: The Haghnazari Family

January 11, 2022

Prematurely born, weighing 1 pound with a 6-month NICU stay, Cyrus has become a thriving, happy teen who plays in his high school marching band. Want to learn how to face challenges with faith and embrace the joy of living? Meet the Haghnazari family.

Thank Full

November 1, 2021

There was a time when Michael’s odd behaviors would send shivers of shame throughout my body, and to be honest there are still times – though fewer and farther between. I have come to a place in our walk with our child’s Autism and Down Syndrome and Sensory Processing Disorder that is one not only of acceptance, but even amusement over the little quirks that are a part of who Michael is and what his body experiences.

Freedom from Fear of the Future for Your Child with Disabilities Webinar

October 8, 2021

Parents of children with disabilities often have compounded fears about their future. Panelists share their insights surrounding these fears, with a particular emphasis on how to cultivate freedom from fear of the future in order to enjoy life with our families now.

Growing the Virtue of Philoxenia in Our Families and Communities

September 8, 2021

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Charlotte Riggle about her familial experience of invisible disabilities; how she came to see God's commandment to not bear false witness against one's neighbor as the virtue of philoxenia—the love of strangers—the Giant Cookie Test; and the value of online support for families with special needs.

Out of the Mouths of Babes You Have Perfected Praise

August 18, 2021

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Sarah Riccardi-Swartz about her involvement with disability rights, how her Autistic daughter further developed her advocacy role, the need for the Church to listen to and incorporate the stories of those with disabilities and their guardians to develop a theology of disability, and the pure-hearted offerings to God in triumphant "Amens!" and Daniel Tiger songs.

The Heusel Family: All Children Can Learn, and All Children Can Teach

August 10, 2021

Presvytera Melanie speaks with Matt and Louise Heusel on medical practitioners' adverse reactions to prenatal discoveries of disabilities and the pressure put on parents to abort their children, how their daughter with Down Syndrome has enriched their family life, and the special gifts she contributes to their parish family.

UOC St. Nicholas Summer Camp for Families with Disabilities

July 14, 2021

Pres. Melanie speaks with Natalie Kapeluck Nixon, the Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and founder of the St. Nicholas Program, a church camp experience for persons with special needs of all ages, and their families.

Fostering Independence in Families with Disabilities Webinar

July 6, 2021

Panelists offer their personal and professional lessons learned in a discussion of what healthy independence looks like in families with disabilities.