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Sparkling Hope Blog
Inspiration, Guidance, and Support for a Brighter Tomorrow
At Sparkling Hope Blogs, we believe in the power of knowledge, encouragement, and community. Our blog is dedicated to providing insightful articles, helpful resources, and uplifting stories to support your journey toward healing, growth, and well-being. Whether you're seeking practical advice, personal inspiration, or expert guidance, our goal is to empower you with hope and resilience every step of the way.



What Does 'Special Needs' Mean?
This blog post explores what 'special needs' truly means, clarifying the term and its importance in education and everyday life.
Betsy Ridgway, M.S.
Apr 303 min read


Welcome to Autism Awareness Month!
As parents on this rocky parenting road, we need support! I created www.SparklingHope.net for information and inspiration!
Betsy Ridgway, M.S.
Apr 13 min read


Supernatural Relaxation and Easing Anxiety
"The leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44 is Depression, and it affects 16 million Americans." Nearly half of all...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Jul 10, 20204 min read


Hope Offered Here!
Young boy playing in the fall leaves. Hope, joy and peace seem to be in short supply these days! Is it any wonder that anxiety disorders...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Sep 20, 20192 min read


More Magical Medicine of Music
In last September's blog, "The Magical Medicine of Music", I detailed a list of benefits imparted to us though music. Some of these...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Jun 29, 20192 min read


Social Anxiety
I have a love-hate relationship with social settings. Growing up painfully shy sprouted many uncomfortable social experiences. Yet having...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
May 24, 20192 min read


Living with ADD
I wasn't diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder until I was in my fifties. After my counselor shared her professional opinion with me,...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
May 17, 20192 min read


Hoarding in Children
Without fail, every few months I would need to go into my younger son's room armed with a couple of trash bags. I always practiced this...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Oct 19, 20182 min read


The Connection of Trauma and Addiction
I've recently learned that there is a connection between trauma and addiction. The trauma can be from childhood or from anytime...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Aug 11, 20182 min read


The Many Faces of Anxiety
My stomach felt tight, my throat was dry, and my breathing was shallow. With sweaty hands and a pounding heart, I was getting ready to...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Jun 8, 20183 min read


Living with Bi-Polar Disorder
Although Sean was only 10 years old, I was out of options, so I called for police assistance. I'm convinced that the police think we are...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
May 4, 20183 min read


Lost and Found
Debbie lined up her two girls and asked once again, "Have you seen it anywhere?" Her mounting frustration wasn't helping solve the...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Apr 27, 20181 min read


Acquired Brain Injury
I contemplated displaying an image of the MRI scan from Sean's brain tumor. But the starkness still haunts me. Its ugly, irregular shape...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Apr 20, 20182 min read


The Game of Being Diagnosed
Although our son, Sean, was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor at eight months old, his main diagnosis from various psychiatrists...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Apr 14, 20183 min read


Medication and Madness
My heart was racing as I pulled into the parking spot at my son's special need's school. He was in the fourth grade and had been placed...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Mar 9, 20184 min read


Could it be Dyslexia?
Before my son was diagnosed with Dyslexia, we had years of tears when it came to classwork and homework. Often, before children get...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Feb 17, 20182 min read


Attachment Disorder
Babies and children who are adopted sometimes experience symptoms of Radical Attachment Disorder (RAD). This is a mental and emotional...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Jan 19, 20181 min read


Tangled Web of Nerves With Sensory Processing Disorder?
The beginning of our Make-A-Wish trip started with rumbling coming from the belly of the plane. I was nervous because this was our boys'...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Nov 17, 20174 min read


Autism Therapies
All parents have the same dream for their children: to live a life filled with meaning and joy. But instead of soaring, we often see our...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Nov 3, 20174 min read


Could It Be Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Raising kids is a daunting task! But you've got questions and fears about their development and wonder what to do. Has your child missed...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Oct 27, 20173 min read
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