Ripple Effects of Respite

At Grace Church of the Nazarene in Nashville, TN, retired Army Chaplain and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Brad Lee launched a rEcess site to tangibly love families experiencing disability, something he knows the importance of firsthand through his journey with his son, Kaydan. After receiving respite from another rEcess site in Tennessee, Brad felt called to bring the same support to his own community. Not only has it been something they deeply care about, but it has shifted the whole narrative of their church.

The church's lead pastor approached the 99 Balloons table at the Disability and the Church conference sharing the impact it had on their church, the families, and himself. He had heard such beautiful stories and was so grateful they were a 99 Balloons site.

Brad shared this, "A most powerful and collective moment occurred when I asked a couple who were picking up their child what they had done with their time during respite. The wife said to me, 'We actually got to go on a date for the first time in two years.' Needless to say, Grace Church is looking forward to our next rEcess event!"

Pictured above is Brad in the middle with his Co-Site Director, Lakyn Whaley, and some of their Leadership Team.