SUPPORT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Faith-Based Support for the Whole Disability Family
Disability shapes family life in beautiful, demanding, and deeply personal ways. A Little Extra Love creates room for parents, marriages, siblings, and families to be known, encouraged, and supported in Christ-centered community.
Family life is where this work began and where support keeps returning.
YOU ARE SEEN
You are not alone. And you are not an inconvenience.
Some seasons are joyful. Some are exhausting. Many are both. You should not have to edit your family's story to make other people comfortable, or explain every detail before someone will sit with you in it.
"We've cried in the car after church, too."
Kyle and Rachael Vermeulen, founders
WHOLE-FAMILY SUPPORT
No one in the family should have to carry the story alone.
Disability can shape the rhythms of an entire home. Support should make room for the whole family, not ask one person to carry everything.
01
Parents and caregivers
Honest community, prayer, practical resources, Bible study, and connection with people who understand the road.
02
Marriage
Space to strengthen connection, name pressure honestly, and care for the relationship holding so much of family life together.
03
Siblings
Belonging, attention, joy, and room for their own questions and experiences.
04
Spiritual care
Christ-centered encouragement that names grief, fatigue, hope, and unanswered questions without rushing anyone toward easy answers.
05
Gatherings and community
Places to connect, rest, laugh, learn, and participate without needing to explain every part of your family first.
06
Advocacy and resources
Practical tools to help you name what your child needs, open a calm conversation, and give your church a clear next step.
WHY THIS FEELS PERSONAL
This work began inside our own family.
We are Kyle and Rachael Vermeulen, parents of Caleb, Casen, and our newest addition, baby Goldie. Caleb has Down syndrome, autism, and complex medical needs.
When Caleb was extremely sick, we moved to Colorado looking for answers, resources, and a church our whole family could call home. We visited more than sixteen churches. Many cared, but they were not prepared to support our family. At one of the last, before we even made it inside, someone looked at Caleb and said, “Sir, I’m sorry, we don’t do that here.” We chose not to give up on the Church. We got to work.
Rachael opened our home for a Bible study with moms raising children with disabilities. As the group grew to nearly eighty women, she equipped leaders to host groups across Colorado, and Kyle began a group for dads. That growing community became A Little Extra Love.
We soon realized care outside the church was not enough. Families needed church communities where their whole family could belong, participate, and grow in faith. Inclusive Pathways was created to help churches become ready for the families we serve.
A Little Extra Love walks with families. Inclusive Pathways gives churches the plan.
TWO CONNECTED LANES
Support for your family. A practical path for your church.
We walk with families.
Prayer, encouragement, family resources, community, and a steady next step. You do not have to have it all together before you reach out.
We help churches build the plan.
Inclusive Pathways helps leaders assess where they are, build a path, equip people, and move toward lasting belonging.
A PROGRAM BY A LITTLE EXTRA LOVE
YOUR FAMILY TOOLKIT
Start with something useful.
These tools help your family move from carrying the whole conversation alone to sharing a clear, practical next step.
PRIMARY FAMILY TOOL
This Is Our Church, Too
A guide for parents who are ready to ask their church to make room for their child.
Use it to start calm, choose a small and specific ask, respond when a leader hesitates, and move toward one simple next step.
- Words for opening the conversation.
- Ready-to-use emails, texts, and phone scripts.
- A practical path for bringing church leaders into the next step.
A SECOND PRACTICAL TOOL
Your child's one-page profile
Introduce your child through strengths, what works, what is hard, and how people can help. Fill it in on your screen or print it and write by hand.
The page uses your words, not clinical language. It helps a church team meet your child before they meet a list of needs.
WHEN YOUR CHURCH WANTS A NEXT STEP
Give leaders something clear to respond to.
These church-facing tools do different jobs. Use the one that matches the conversation.
SHOW THE LOCAL PICTURE
Inclusive Pathways Community Report
Start with a ZIP code and help church leaders see the disability-related need near their community.
NAME THE STARTING POINT
Church Inclusion Scorecard
Help leaders see where systems are working and where a clearer plan may be needed.
CURRENT CONNECTION PATHS
Choose the connection that fits today.
Availability can change. These current pages are the right places to find the next step for each path.
WHOLE-FAMILY CONNECTION
Gatherings
Explore retreats and events created for families, siblings, and those who want to learn, connect, and advocate for greater belonging.
MOMS
GROW Groups
Find faith-filled community with moms who understand the unique joys and challenges of disability parenting. Explore current groups and take your next step.
DADS
ROOTED Dads
Connect with dads who understand and grow together through honest conversation, encouragement, and faith. View current group details and get connected.
A CALM PLACE TO START
Questions families often carry quietly.
You do not need perfect words or a complete plan before taking one next step.
Where do I start if I feel overwhelmed?
Start with one next step. The Parent Advocacy Guide can help you name what your family needs and begin a calm conversation.
Is family support only for parents?
No. Whole-family support makes room for parents and caregivers, marriages, siblings, spiritual care, advocacy, and community.
What if my church wants help?
Inclusive Pathways is the church-facing path. It helps leaders move from concern and good intentions to a practical plan.
Where can I find current gatherings?
Use the Gatherings, CoGrow, and Colorado Dads pages for their current next steps. If none fits, ask us about family support.
What if my church says "not yet"?
A not yet is not a failure. The guide can help you choose one small, specific ask and keep the conversation open.
Do I need to share private details?
No. Share only what helps people understand and support your family. The one-page profile starts with strengths and lets you use your own words.
