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Nurture a child with Joy, Eastbourne (2025)

24/11/2025

Gratitude Challenge Day 23:
November 23rd

Today, I'm grateful for the guidance of my children's healthcare team, helping me navigate their sensory and medical needs." 🙏

There are days when I wish, or better put, prayed autism away and when I had mum's guilt about the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. "Maybe if I did this and that, it would have been avoided" or "if I was not too stressed during my pregnancy, so and so would not have happened." The truth is that, when challenges come our way, they bring out the stuff we are truly made of and where we are with our Maker. One day, when I was having one of those moments, God told me" it doesn't matter who did or didn't do what, what matters is that it is for My Glory!"Over the years, God has backed His words with actions. He needs no man to be the God He is! 🥳🥳🥳
Christ's healing runs through my children's veins. 🙏🏽🫂

Family bonding activities
1. Attended church as a family
2. Soft play at Treasure Island
3. Window shopping at Curry's PC.
4. Family dinner

Bible Verse
But He was wounded for our transgressions,He was bruised for our iniquities;The chastisement for our peace was upon Him - Isaiah 53:5

Dr Joy Omoruyi-Emmanuel
Autism Coach and neurodiversity advocate

23/11/2025

Gratitude Challenge Day 22:
November 22nd

Today, I'm grateful for the ability to take a deep breath and let go of stress, trusting that God is in control." 🙏

Today was our football outing day and I was approached by one of the player's parents to say they were willing to be trained on managing type 1 diabetes in order to support my son when he is at football and I need to support my daughter! The coach heard us having the conversation and he didn't even let us finish talking before he gave his approval! What a miracle🥳🥳🥳.
Meanwhile, I spent last 2 weeks worrying over how we were going to get through the winter football training because it was now clashing with my daughter's Beavers scout sessions. I had no clue what God had planned for us today. The Lord knows what we need even before we ask. I am so grateful for the blessings God gives us as a family over and above our expectations.

Bible Verse
Be still, and know that I am God.' - Psalm 46:10.

Family bonding activities
1. Football match for dear son. (I attended as a chief cheer leader and football mum). We won the match. Praise the Lord. Three wins in a row!
2. Family roast dinner
3. Emotion check and pillow talk.

Dr Joy Omoruyi-Emmanuel
Autism Coach and neurodiversity advocate

22/11/2025

Gratitude challenge Day 21:
November 21st

Today, I'm grateful for the opportunity to spend quality time with my children, creating memories and making moments to cherish." 🙏

Growing up, I don't have many memories of the material things we were given as children; toys were a luxury. Nature was our go-to for role-playing and building social skills. However, I remember some beautiful memories of my parents making the most of power cuts by sitting us outside the house and my dad would tell us tales by moonlight, a trip to the popular Bar Beach in Lagos Nigeria, Christmas shopping in Oshodi market, s*x education sessions (to the best of their knowledge), visiting friends and family despite our huge family (we were football team!)😜, birthday celebrations, family photo sessions, and lots more.

I am grateful for the parenting advantage I had in this area of my life, and I am blessed to be able to replicate this family legacy with my children internationally. Thanks to The International Parents Academy Wendy Ologe for being my parenting Coach since December 2021. If you are not in the Yard, why nau? 😄😂

Bible Verse
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 145:8.

Family bonding activities
1. Had conversations about crushes, who to confide in and how to manage emotions.
2. Pillow talk with each child
3. Music therapy

Dr Joy Omoruyi-Emmanuel
Autism Coach and neurodiversity advocate

21/11/2025

Gratitude challenge Day 20:
November 20th

Today, I'm grateful for the little things, like a warm shower, a good meal, and a comfortable bed to sleep in. I am conscious of the grace for each day more than ever since I began this journey. I am grateful to God for the daily loads of benefits he brings our way.

I remember sometime in July this year when I was wondering how I was going to teach my then-year-old son how to ride a bicycle. I never had the opportunity to learn it growing up as my parents focused more on academics and other survival skills. Life skills like this one were a luxury. One day I bought a surprise gift for my son with the hope of teaching him how to ride by watching some YouTube videos 😜. When he saw the bicycle, he was so excited that he couldn't wait for me to initiate my classes. He started teaching himself in our back garden. Guess what? Within an hour he got it. To the glory of God, he can now ride on the streets (supervised, of course. I have to monitor his blood glucose during physical activities). I am still warming up to learn how to ride mine! 🤣

He inspired us all. He is thriving and exceeding milestones despite the challenges that come with type 1 diabetes and autism diagnoses. He got his Cub Scout bicycle challenge badge. For this, I am very grateful.

Bible Verse

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.' -

1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Family bonding activities

1. Bicycle ride/seafront walk

2. Laughing and making funny faces with a phone app

3. Had conversations about our day/Affirmations

Dr Joy Omoruyi-Emmanuel
Autism Coach and neurodiversity advocate

20/11/2025

Gratitude Challenge Day 19: November 19th

Today, I'm grateful for the quiet moments in the morning, when I can have a moment of peace before the "chaos" begins. 🙏
I remember in 2022 when my daughter was issued a diagnosis of autism, she would not tolerate something as comforting as a hug apart from when she initiates it which was scarcely. I later learnt on my journey of thriving with autism that people with this diagnosis would avoid hugs due to sensory processing differences that make physical touch overwhelming, painful, or uncomfortable. This can be a result of hypersensitivity to touch, where a hug feels too intense, or other sensory processing issues that make the experience overstimulating. Additionally, a child may struggle with the social nuances of hugging or find the act to be a poor form of self-regulation compared to other sensory inputs they seek or avoid. While I sought expert support and kept recalling God's promises over her, I cashed in on the neuroplasticity of the brain to help her through that phase by giving gentle hugs at her pace, initiating contact plays, sensory plays and lots more as I plan to share in my upcoming book, etc. She is now 6 years old, the story is different. I am grateful to God that she takes delight in hugging and being hugged. She initiates hugs and is happy to give high fives. She would not easily sleep off without big bear hugs lasting several minutes, which I sometimes sleep off by putting her to bed. I look forward to her morning hugs now. I feel she wants to catch up on missed hugs😂🤣❤️💕🤗

Bible Verse
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge.' - Psalm 18:2.

Family bonding activities
1. Family fun swimming day
2. Family dinner
3. Bible affirmation and emotion check

19/11/2025

Gratitude Challenge Day 18:
November 18th

Today, I'm grateful for the quiet moments in the morning, when I can plan out my day, check my son's blood sugar, and prepare for the challenges ahead." 🙏

Every day we are awake and breathing is a miracle for us. When dealing with type 1 diabetes, a lot can go wrong in a moment. There are times I wake up wondering if my son is still breathing after sleeping through an alarm of hypoglycaemia due to exhaustion. Fact: prolonged periods of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) or hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose) can lead to coma during the day or in one's sleep, whether active or just chilling. Truth: By the stripes of Jesus, we are healed!
I am so grateful that there is a technology called the closed-loop system (also known as the artificial pancreas) that can now help regulate blood glucose and improve the quality of sleep for families affected by type 1 diabetes. The only challenge is when it fails or my son yanks it off without telling me due to skin irritation from the adhesives and the influence of autism. 😜
This unique journey makes me cherish every moment we have breathe in our lungs because it's easy to take sleeping and waking up for granted.

Bible Verse
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.' - Deuteronomy 31:6.

Family bonding activities
1. Coconut milk production for home and our friends
2. Emotion checking in
3. Affirmations

18/11/2025

Gratitude Challenge Day 17:
November 17th

Today, I'm grateful for the flexibility of my schedule, allowing me to attend to my children's needs and appointments." 🙏
In 2017 when my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 9 months, yes, as a baby, I felt like God had abandoned us and that my life had come to a halt. The diagnosis was very dramatic because it was misdiagnosed as teething issues by a previous GP until we landed in the emergency department where the diagnosis hit me. I couldn't even tell my siblings what we were going through. I didn't have the luxury of taking enough time off work to grieve the diagnosis. I remember some people asking me some questions that seemed weird, such as "Do you think you would like to have another child despite the type 1 diabetes diagnosis of your son? I didn't think twice before my response," Sure, I plan to have more children". God gives children, and what has happened is meant to bring glory to God, not to stop me from experiencing the blessings of having more than one child. I attended the Shiloh annual prayer meetings every year, believing God for my son's healing. I was constantly told, "You don't have enough faith, that's why your son is not yet healed!" The first testimony was that there was no brain damage due to DKA (Diabetic Keto Acidosis. Today, I'm grateful to God that I didn't let the fear of the unknown stop God's plan for my family. Seeing how my children love each other further confirms God's faithfulness over the years. I am also grateful that God has kept my son healthy and given him a resilience level that is beyond human comprehension. He is one of the fittest and hilarious 9-year-olds I have ever known. Indeed, God has been faithful and the glory goes to Him alone.

Bible Verse
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.' - Romans 8:38-39.

Family bonding activity
Coconut breaking competition😂😊

Dr Joy Omoruyi-Emmanuel

17/11/2025

Gratitude Challenge Day 16:

November 16th

Today, I am grateful for a church family that has accepted us and made reasonable adjustments to help my children learn about God in their own way, using appropriate learning styles.

Most times when group activities are going on in the children's church and my daughter is not in the right headspace to join in, they let her draw her thoughts on paper as a way of self-regulating. It's a no-judgement space, and I am grateful she has learnt this life skill. Worship facilities should make reasonable adjustments to accommodate people with various additional needs to reduce overstimulation and encourage inclusion.

Bible Verse

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 1:37

Family bonding activities

1. Attended church as a family

2. Visit a Treasure Island soft play

3. Weekend chores

# Self-regulation

Dr Joy Omoruyi-Emmanuel

Autism Coach and neurodiversity advocate

16/11/2025

*Gratitude Challenge Day 15:*
*November 15th*

Today, I'm grateful for God's peace and comfort in the midst of anxiety and uncertainty. My children's trust in God inspires me to seek Him in all things." 🙏
I remember just over a couple of years back, the independent football club in my son's school refused to have him if I was not available to monitor his blood glucose during training sessions/matches because they were not able to support him, whether or not training was given by the paediatric diabetic team. I had a choice of scrapping the idea of football or looking for alternatives. We changed to a football club for children with additional needs where they focused on their abilities and gave my son time in between sessions to attend to matters relating to type 1 diabetes. After 1 year of training, he came to me one day and asked if he could get registered into a mainstream football club where he could play in the league! I felt unprepared for that pressure. However, I took the bold step and prayed to God to lead us to the right club. Thankfully, we found one and God started blessing his resilience and hard work. The big challenge was the fact that he missed 90% of matches last season due to our family's legacy of attending church as a family on Sundays. The club had to come up with a decision to support his dream by opening up a second team under the Saturday league. This season has been very rewarding with him being one of the key players. He goes for the goal no matter the position he is asked to play. He is beginning to form healthy friendships and build self-confidence despite the challenges of type 1 diabetes and autism! I am grateful for how far God has brought him and how far He is taking him.

Bible Verse
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.' - Philippians 4:6.

Dr Joy Omoruyi-Emmanuel
Autism Coach and neurodiversity advocate

15/11/2025

Gratitude Challenge Day 14:
November 14th

Today, I'm grateful for God's love and the love of our family and friends, who support us in caring for our children with special needs. My daughter's progress in self awareness, situational awareness, show of empathy, and love for drawing are a testament to God's love and kindness." ❤️

Today we visited a special person who was on admission in the hospital as a family and my children were very excited. They went to different patient in the ward to say hello after greeting the person we went to visit. Fact: when persons with autism are excited, they tend to make certain kind of vocalisations called stimming. Unfortunately, my host did not welcome this behaviour and started getting embarrassed. The person requested we kindly cut short our visit to reduce the embarrassment we were causing! I felt really sad all over, but I quickly took hold of my emotions and redirected my perspective. We dropped the gifts we came with and I left the ward with my children. What I am grateful for is that my children did not take it personally as I had to do damage control. I am also grateful that God has brought some genuinely loving family my way over the years who love and accept my children the way God made them - fearfully and wonderfully. It is very sad to know that families of children with neurodiverse conditions go through this sort of humiliation every single day. Sometimes, parents are forced to stay at home to avoid such situations as it can be very depressing if not properly dealt with in our minds. I choose to be grateful to God for the courage he has given me to keep taking my children out of our comfort zone and dealing with rejection with the right attitude.
Bible Verse
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant.' - 1 Corinthians 13:4.

Family bonding activities
1. Had conversations around teamwork.
2. House chores
3. Pizza Friday
4. Visit to the hospital

Dr Joy Omoruyi-Emmanuel
Autism Coach and neurodiversity advocate

13/11/2025

Gratitude Challenge Day 13:
November 13th

Today, I'm grateful for God's provision and care in our lives, especially in the midst of medical appointments, non medical appointments extra curricular activities, and therapy sessions. My children's smiles and laughter are a reminder of God's goodness and love." 🙏

Bible Verse
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.' - Psalm 23:1.

Family bonding activities
1. Family dinner
2. Baking with Aunty Bummi
3. Pillow talk and emotion check with each child.
Dear daughter told me "I miss you". These melted my heart 🥰

Dr Joy Omoruyi-Emmanuel
Autism Coach and neurodiversity advocate

13/11/2025

Gratitude Challenge Day 12:
November 12th

Today, I'm grateful for God's guidance and wisdom in navigating my son's diabetes management and supporting both children to thrive despite the diagnosis of autism they were given. Their progress and resilience inspire me to trust in God's plan.🙏
When my son started his swimming lessons at age 4, he cried and begged to come out of the pool because he was very upset that the pool made him wet!🙄 I validated his emotions and gave him a whole year to prepare. We tried again after he turned 5. This time, my dear daughter was old enough to start her swimming classes, but she had to have a SEN swimming teacher, which meant more cost. This time we had a bigger meltdown from her while he adjusted better. The SEN swimming teacher worked with us using social stories and lots of techniques to help him overcome the fear of water. Later that year, the SEN sessions withdrew their services. I was left with no choice other than to enrol both of them in another swimming pool where I would have to be their swimming instructor. This made me overcome my phobia of water earlier than expected by God's grace. Today, I am grateful for the progress we have all made on our swimming journey. Today, David got a medal, and Hannah enjoys her swimming sessions with me so much that she needs help convincing her that the fun swimming is over. We are not where we want to be, but we are not where we used to be! For these, I am more than grateful.

Bible Verse
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding - Proverbs 3:5.

Family bonding activities
1. Family swimming session
2. Family dinner with uncle
3. Had conversations

Dr Joy Omoruyi-Emmanuel
Autism Coach and neurodiversity advocate

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