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Author

Betsy Kay Ridgway

Special Needs Family Advocate

Betsy Kay Ridgway, as a Special Needs Family Advocate, has been able to share her knowledge and experiences as a mom of two special needs boys, with the support of her husband, Russ. She loved teaching high school students with learning disabilities. After earning her Master’s in Counseling, she worked as a Special Education Advocate for 5 years to help parents receive needed accommodations for their children in school. Her website, SparklingHope.net was created to inspire and educate parents and caregivers of special needs children. Betsy takes great delight in sharing her personal story in The Song of My Hope, so you can find lasting hope!

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Home is Where our Story Begins!

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Bringing Sean home

December 31, 1992

Russ and Betsy Ridgway,   
July 15, 1984

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Russ, Betsy and Baby Sean
with Candace & Brian
Biological parents.
February 1993

Traveling to my parent's home with two-month old baby Sean

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Sean was so socialable, he would talk to anybody!

Cameron and Sean at Adoption Meeting. We would be Cameron's parents two years later!

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Sean was often sad before surgery. Notice how his feet turn in. He is wearing his corrective shoes (right) while Aunt Pam entertains him at home.

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Devastating cancerous brain tumor diagnosis at 8 months old. Prognosis: 2% chance to live. August 1993

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Aunt Arlene with Sean just a few months before surgery.

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Nurse Julene's famous nugget of hope, "Someone has to be in that 2%."

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Sean did not display the usual fears for his age.

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Aunt Debbie and Sean.
A year of home care, 1994.

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Deep joy after second surgery. January 1994

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Halloween 1994

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Stunning quilt for Sean made by Susanna Bond.

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Sean's adoption ceremony at home because of fragile immune system. Attending judge also had
adopted children.  Fall 1994

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Sean's adoption ceremony, surrounded by family and friends.

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Ready for bed after visiting Aunt Pam and Uncle Don.

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First Christmas with newly adoption Cameron, age 4 and Sean, age 2, 1995.

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First Family Portrait, 1995 by Paul Litzinger

Brent, our oldest son
2022

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Cameron and Elizabeth
June 2023

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Sean and the Grands!
June 2023

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