Precerpt from Raising God's Rainbow Makers: The Town That Helps Raise Doah

 

There’s a reason I feel safe letting Doah shop at the market on his own. It’s not because he doesn’t have challenges. He does. It’s because we live in a town where the community quietly steps in to help raise him.

San Ignatius is the kind of place where everyone knows everyone, and the abuelitas keep the teenagers in line with nothing more than a raised eyebrow and a well‑timed “Mijo, no.” They don’t hesitate to speak up, and the kids listen. Respectfully. Immediately. It’s a kind of social magic you don’t see in big cities anymore.

And then there’s our priest. He is not just the Catholic priest for the Mission but also the town priest. Whether you go to church or not, he’s everyone’s moral compass. If he sees someone misbehaving, he’ll correct them right there on the sidewalk or in the store, collar and all. People accept it because they know it comes from a place of care.

But the heart of this story is the manager of our little market — the only one in town. He knows Doah. He knows his routines. He knows his medical needs. And when Doah tries to buy cheese on a day that isn’t Monday (his only “cheese day,” for allergy reasons), the manager gently reminds him of the rule. Not because he’s policing him but because he’s looking out for him.

That’s why I can let him shop independently. He’s not alone. He’s surrounded by people who know him, love him, and want him safe.

People often tell me Doah is adorable. And he is — at least the version of him they see in public. I usually just smile or say thank you. They don’t see the 24/7 version, the one that requires scripts and structure and patience and prayer. But they do see the part of him that shines because he is supported by a whole town that treats him as one of their own.

This is what it means to raise God’s rainbow makers: not just parenting a child with unique needs but watching a community step in to help them grow. It’s a reminder that independence doesn’t always mean doing everything alone. Sometimes it means being held by a village that knows your child’s name — and their cheese schedule.

Book Description:

Raising God's Rainbow Makers

A Family Memoir of Grace, Grit, and Growing Up Different

What happens when a military family welcomes four children—each with wildly different needs—into a world not always built to support them?

In Raising God’s Rainbow Makers, one mother shares the remarkable journey of raising two children with complex disabilities—one with spina bifida, one with CHARGE Syndrome—and two intellectually gifted children, all born in different states during years of military life. Through medical crises, educational challenges, and societal roadblocks (both intentional and unintentional), this honest and inspiring memoir tells the story of how one family built a life of strength, compassion, and resilience.

With warmth and unflinching honesty, the author reflects on emergency surgeries, IEP battles, unexpected victories, and the fierce sibling bonds that formed in the face of it all. The children—now grown—bear witness to the power of support, faith, and never giving up.

This is not just a story of survival. It is a celebration of difference, a chronicle of hope, and a powerful testament to what love and determination can build when the world says "impossible." 

Keywords:

Parenting memoir; Special needs parenting; Raising children with disabilities; Military family life; Family resilience; Inspirational family story; Faith-based memoir; Coping with medical challenges; Sibling support stories; Gifted children; Spina bifida; CHARGE Syndrome; Hydrocephalus; Congenital disabilities; Complex medical needs; Pediatric neurosurgery; IEP and special education; Gifted education; Educational advocacy; Inclusive education; Hope and healing; Courage and strength; Love and perseverance; Raising different children; Disability acceptance; Parenting through adversity; Overcoming barriers; Finding joy in hardship; Special needs journey; Family unity and support; For parents of disabled children; For parents of gifted children; For educators and therapists; Christian parenting memoir; For families facing rare diagnoses; Real-life parenting stories; Memoirs about raising children; Stories of medical miracles

 

For more posts about Elizabeth and her books, click HERE. 

Read more stories -- and photos -- about the Mahlou family in the blog (no longer maintained), Clan of Mahlou.

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