79 Comments
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Amber Cook's avatar

Tears filled my eyes reading this. The story of the water slide gives me so much hope for the future generation.

And congratulations on the book! I’m so excited to read it.

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Katie Blackburn's avatar

Thank you, Amber! ❤️

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Denise's avatar

Preordered ♥️ I always love to read anything you write… and I admire you… you are the best mom for Cannon…

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Sarah Hitchings's avatar

Katie, Katie, Katie!!!! You're changing the conversation on Autism-you're changing the world. Bless you my friend!

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Katie Blackburn's avatar

This is maybe one of the most encouraging things anyone has ever told me. Tears in my eyes. Thank you, Sarah!

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Jenina's avatar

Pre-ordered! Ever since I read your essay about that baseball game, it has been on my heart to start something similar in my community. My husband is on the board of our local baseball association and we are committed to putting it together for this spring! Thank you for sharing your life with all of us!

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Katie Blackburn's avatar

Jenina! That is AMAZING and blesses me so much to hear that! Keep me posted. It’s been such a blessing to my family ❤️

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Courtney Ameli's avatar

Happily preordered before I even finished the essay. Thanks for sharing your gift with us and giving us a tangible way to support your work and your family.

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Katie Blackburn's avatar

Courtney 🥹 thank you so, so much!

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Alexandria Hardy's avatar

Smashed that preorder button - can't wait to read with my kiddos. As always, thank you for sharing your words!

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Katie Blackburn's avatar

Would tackle you in a hug if we were in the same place ❤️

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Alyssa Silvester's avatar

**crying in carpool line** can’t wait to preorder and read!

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Katie Blackburn's avatar

Thank you, friend!

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Margo McKenzie's avatar

"It was a grace that these young kids were able to pivot and get special permission to turn the slide on; that doesn’t always happen." Sometimes God shows his grace toward us through the mercy of others. Love the article. Would love your permission to post as a guest article at: www.thegiftofwords.com

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Katie Blackburn's avatar

Hi Margo, can you send me a message with more infomation? Thanks so much!

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Carrie Ellis's avatar

Thank you for writing this book that is so needed in our world. Just preordered. Your essays are such a gift to me. They make me feel less alone as I navigate parenting my own child with autism.

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Katie Blackburn's avatar

I'm so glad, Carrie. Thanks for reading!

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Sarah's avatar

This is so beautiful and my tears were just pouring out reading this. You are doing important, godly work in how you are raising your kids and by sharing it with others! What a gift. Can’t wait to read your book to my kids!

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Rebecca Auker's avatar

It is an honor to preorder your book Katie! I have a student with Autism who is on a special baseball team, and I can’t wait to read this book to my third grade class and my own children! Blessings to you!

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Katie Blackburn's avatar

Thank you, Rebecca, that means so much!

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Leslie M. Bosserman's avatar

I, too, have been the mama at the bottom of “the special pool slide” after hours of ABA and incentives for “first this, then…[insert special pool slide equivalent for the moment”].

I, too, know just how hard AND how important this precious work of parenting is ❤️ Thank you, Katie, for sharing your story so honestly and beautifully.

I can’t wait to read your latest book to our kids! ⚾️

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Katie Blackburn's avatar

Thank you so much, Leslie!

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Kym VdP's avatar

When the lifeguard came and said that they could turn on the waterslide... Oh I felt palpable relief for you and Cannon and got tears in my eyes. You have opened my heart and mind to supporting those with kids with disabilities and you're writing helps me to understand and have compassion. Congrats on the kids book!! What an opportunity!

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Katie Blackburn's avatar

So encouraged by this, thank you Kym!

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Maggie McLeod's avatar

Preordered and anxiously awaiting to read it — just like everything you write. Congrats on this amazing accomplishment, Katie!

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Katie Blackburn's avatar

Means so much, Maggie!

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Kim Sliwinski's avatar

I love all your writing Katie. You have such a talent and I’m grateful you are using it to share your experiences. I am preordering right now! I can’t wait to read it and share it with others.

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Katie Blackburn's avatar

Thank you so much, Kim!

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Angthologies's avatar

Thank you for sharing!!! So excited for the book. We are a big baseball family and will be sharing with our little league this next season!!!

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Katie Blackburn's avatar

Ah! That’s amazing and such a gift! Thank you!! 🙏🏼

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