Hello! My name is Deb DeBates.

I live in a small community in southeastern North Dakota with my husband, two children, and three lovable and rambunctious dogs.  

Twenty-four years ago, Todd and I adopted a beautiful baby girl whom we named Samantha. We were enjoying her so much that we didn’t really give much thought to expanding our family. But eight years later, it occurred to us we’d better get a move on if we wanted another child. Enter a nine-pound four-ounce blue-eyed baby boy with ultra-fair skin whom we named Micah.

We weren’t aware of any special needs when he arrived. It was only after he became late in reaching all of the first year milestones that we wondered if something was amiss.

When he was three years old and still not talking, a psychologist gave him the (now obsolete) diagnosis of PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental delay-not otherwise specified). Two years later, another psychologist gave a more concrete diagnosis of autism.

Several weeks before his third birthday, Micah was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This happened on Christmas Eve, 2009. You’ll find the story (Diagnosis) on my blog page.

Life certainly becomes a little more interesting when you have children. But, parenting a child who has a medical condition as well as autism has its own set of challenges. Yet, I am grateful. Through these challenges, I have learned so much, and I’ve gotten to know so many wonderful people who’ve been part of Micah’s team—teachers, therapists, nurses, doctors, caregivers, etc. We wouldn’t be where we are today without our deep faith and reliance on God, our love for our son, and our determination to help him be the best he can be.

So, thanks for tagging along. I hope you find some enjoyment and inspiration here, and, if you are raising a child with special needs too, perhaps comfort in knowing you are not alone in the journey.