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In this heartfelt episode of Rise & BUILD Through the Unexpected, Kendra sits down with author and father Brandon Boyd to share the deeply personal journey of raising his son, Ben, who is nonverbal and has a disability.

Brandon reflects on the early days when Ben began missing developmental milestones around 9 months old and the fears that followed—the uncertainty of a diagnosis, questions about the future, and the emotional weight of not knowing what life would look like for their family. He speaks honestly about the pressure he felt to “fix” things and how, over time, he realized he was so focused on helping Ben catch up that he wasn’t fully enjoying Ben for who he was.

Together, Kendra and Brandon discuss the different ways parents often respond to challenges. While Brandon focused on solutions and progress, his wife became the steady force managing therapy appointments, schedules, and the day-to-day rhythms that helped their family move forward. Their story highlights the importance of partnership, grace, and learning how to navigate parenting together—even when processing things differently.

The conversation also touches on the financial realities many families face while raising a child with special needs, the importance of connecting with a caseworker early, and how resources like ministry support and SoonerCare helped provide stability during difficult seasons.

Brandon also shares about their younger son, Ethan, and the ways growing up alongside Ben shaped him into a patient, empathetic, and compassionate young man. From balancing the unique needs of two very different children to learning how to “divide and conquer” as parents, this episode offers an honest look into the beauty and challenges of family life.

Most importantly, Brandon opens up about protecting your marriage while raising a child with disabilities, finding support in community, and recognizing that while the journey may not be easy, families do not have to walk it alone.

This episode is a powerful reminder that growth doesn’t always look the way we imagined—and sometimes the greatest transformation happens when we stop trying to change our children and start fully delighting in who they already are.

🌐 Learn more about Brandon’s story and resources here:
Delighting in Ben

For more Aha Moments visit https://buildingallchildren.org/podcast