Good Faith What Disability Teaches Us About Jesus (with Amy Julia Becker)
Oct 5, 2024
In this engaging conversation, Amy Julia Becker, an author and podcaster known for her insights on disability and faith, shares her journey raising her daughter Penny, who has Down syndrome. Becker challenges societal misconceptions about disability, emphasizing the intrinsic value of all lives. She discusses the importance of compassion over pity and how faith communities can foster genuine inclusion. Practical questions are offered for listeners to better support families with disabilities, promoting a deeper understanding of diverse experiences.
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Penny's First Hours And Growing Particularity
- Penny was diagnosed with Down syndrome a few hours after birth and quickly revealed her unique personality to her parents.
- Amy Julia Becker describes Penny as an 18-year-old cheerleader, dancer, and budding writer who defies simple categorization.
Diagnosis Doesn’t Equal Destiny
- Down syndrome presents a shared genetic marker but expresses differently in every person.
- Becker stresses that individual stories vary widely, so knowing a person matters more than assumptions based on diagnosis.
Choosing Tests With Intention
- AJ recounts her prenatal testing experience and declining amniocentesis to avoid having abortion presented as an option.
- She emphasizes thinking in advance about what information you want from prenatal tests and why.