Precerpt from Raising God's Rainbow Makers: Donnie's Dilemma

Donnie was slow...at typing...bac in the day when typewriters were in use. Yep, that dates us. I imagine many kids today do not even know what a typewriter is. But Donnie did even though he did not use it. He handed his typing to me.

Not smart! I am the one who is oblivious to detail--and it kept showing up in typos that not only slipped out but also slipped past and right out into the public world where Donnie needed them to be accurate, not inaccurate, sometimes funny, and often embarrassing. Three little examples...(but I could share a host more!). But perhaps the fact that all three examples come from one resume is "nuff said."

First error. Donnie was born in 1948. Now, how that got converted to 1848, I don't know. Definitely, Donnie was not making a start to becoming as old as Methusaleh, and anyone reading the resume should have understood that. (There were other dates on the resume that would have quickly pointed to this as a typo.)

Second error. Just one missing letter, but it sure made a difference. Donnie was a photographer and had experience in many fields of photography, especially having extensive experience in "public relations photography." Missing the "l" in public was not only confusing but led to a surge in interest by couples for intimate photographs and by girlfriends and boyfriends for nudes as holiday gifts. Donnie dutifully followed through on what his resume claimed to be a special talent, with lots of experience! When the resume was re-typed after a friend called and asked if the resume had been proofread, he very carefully proofread that item. Sorry, oops, but hey, business boomed for a while in quite unanticipated ways.

Third typo. Brain glitch, not unlike today's autocorrect goofs. Donnie graduated from State College, but his resume stated that he graduated from State Courage. Well, maybe that was accurate. Afterall, he lived with us!


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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