From Survival to Joy: Stories of Mothers and Children
It has been three years since IGNIS Community launched the Journey Towards Joy program for Korean mothers raising children with disabilities. Out of these families, four mothers have also received specialized training to coach other mothers in the program.What started as a small step of faith has now become a movement of hope and restoration.
A Community of Strength
Over the years, several families have walked this road with us. Four mothers who began the journey have even gone on to receive specialized training to coach other mothers in the program. Their resilience never ceases to amaze us. Parenting is already a tremendous challenge, but raising a child with special needs demands extraordinary courage and perseverance. These mothers must overcome physical, developmental, emotional, and social barriers every step of the way.
Training Cohorts: Spreading Hope
Every four to six months, new cohorts of parents are trained in the neurodevelopmental approach. Just recently, we celebrated the graduation of our 9th cohort, which even included special education teachers.
During debrief sessions, parents often share how transformative the experience has been. Many mention that the most impactful lessons came from understanding their child’s development and sensory needs. For the first time, some parents could empathize deeply with their child’s perspective and behavior.
Restoring Hope
One mother bravely shared that she had nearly lost all hope for her son. After receiving the diagnosis, survival became her only mode of living—ensuring her child was fed and safe, but expecting little more. She had no room to think about how to truly help her son, and she had stopped having any expectations for him. Through the Journey Towards Joy, however, her hope was rekindled. She began to dream again—not just for her son’s future, but for her own as well.
Another mother described watching her son’s transformation:
“As I consistently applied the activities and training, I saw my son’s development gaps begin to close. He graduated elementary school and moved on to middle school, and instead of focusing on his struggles, I was truly thankful. The daily exercises were not easy, but as I persevered, he doubled in maturity. My son has surpassed my expectations, and I am committed to continuing this Journey Towards Joy.”
A Joy Shared
Across every cohort, families report growth. Some see dramatic changes, others more subtle progress—but every child is moving forward. The greatest joy, however, is not only in the children but in their mothers. These women are rediscovering joy in their children, finding strength in community, and experiencing restored relationships with their sons and daughters. They are rediscovering their children as one of the greatest gifts of all.
Looking Ahead
When IGNIS Community began this program, we never imagined how far it would reach. Now, with the 9th cohort practicing exercises weekly, the program continues to expand with new groups starting every six months. Excitingly, a neurodevelopmental manual in Korean is about to be published—making this life-changing approach accessible to families worldwide.
Stay tuned for the book release next month, and join us in celebrating three years of hope, perseverance, and joy.