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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.



Consider the Lilies
Consider, ponder, meditate. Three powerful words that can literally change your life. In the Bible, after the angel Gabriel came to Mary...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Sep 8, 20183 min read


Don't Let Shame Imprison You
At least to me, my unrevealed behavior was big, huge, horrible. I had been longing all my life to become a mother. Now my dreams had come...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Aug 31, 20182 min read


Social Isolation Can Kill You
Isolation can cause premature death in the elderly, a risk that is comparable to smoking. It can be just as deadly as obesity...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Aug 24, 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


Disabled Parenting: How to Thrive!
Raising a child is no easy task for anyone, but when a parent has a disability, it can be all the more challenging. If you're...
By Guest Blogger, Martin Block
Aug 3, 20183 min read


Hope for the Lonely
For years I wondered if Sean would ever obtain enough social skills to be a happy, healthy adult. A big heartache for parents with...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Jul 28, 20182 min read


How to Fulfill Your Desires with this Secret
I still remember my caffeine-free days with delight. Why? It's simply because I love coffee and I was able to stop drinking it. With each...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Jul 6, 20182 min read


5 Reasons Why Traditions Matter
It's been seventy years, but the memories of our family's 4th of July traditions are still vivid. During the day, my sisters, brother and...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Jun 29, 20182 min read


How Friendships Improve Your Health
I love this photo that reflects a beautiful bond of friendship. I can imagine that it has probably lasted over the decades or even a...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Jun 22, 20183 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


Love from Above!
One early morning while reading my Bible, I brought two pages to the middle and tucked them into the center. I was doing this...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Jun 1, 20181 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


Praying More Deeply
I freely admit that praying aloud is not my strong suit. I often stumble over my words. A friend of mine taught me to pray using...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Apr 6, 20181 min read


Scrambled Eggs in the Garage
I was taught the "Lord's Prayer" as a child (Matthew 6:9-13). For many years I recited it by heart at bedtime with my parents. But the...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Mar 23, 20183 min read


Helping the Behaviorally Challenged Child
A book I read a few years ago titled, "The Explosive Child" by Dr. Ross Greene, changed my whole perspective on why my sons had...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Mar 16, 20182 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


Making Crooked Paths Straight
I looked in horror into my rear view mirror as a semi tractor-trailer truck was speeding toward me. It was 10:00 pm and I was driving...
Betsy Kay Ridgway, M.S.
Mar 2, 20183 min read
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