The Normal Within: Raising Amonni

By Sheila E. Kimbrough

In the Normal Within: I Want to Come Out Author Shelia Kimbrough reflects on ten years of loving and caring for her developmental disabled daughter Amonni.  Sheila shares stories of raising a child with special needs by sharing the challenges and triumphs she has faced. Sheila calls to attention the importance of encouraging possibilities of our children and the tangible results of trusting in the power of God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sheila E Kimbrough
• Release date: Jul 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393489306

Book preview

The Normal  Within

I Want to Come Out

By Sheila E Kimbrough

Copyright © 2019 Sheila Kimbrough

Cover Design: Tamyara Brown of Tamluvstodesign

Editing: LaToya Murchison of LDM Creatives

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. I have tried to recreate events, locales, and conversations from my memories of them. To maintain anonymity,

I have changed the names of individuals, places, and identifying characteristics and details.

Printed in United States

ISBN: 9781073122226

Dedication

I dedicated this book to Amonni Monique Smith. Throughout our journey, we experienced many trials and joyous memorable times.  But with your beautiful smile and caring heart, you bring joy to everyone you encounter. It is our prayer that God continues to smile upon your life as you touch and affect many lives to come.

Love,

(Mema) Sheila and (Daddy) Mr. Ben

Acknowledgments

I want to give God all the glory, honor, and praise for what He has done in my life. It’s because of his strength I can walk into this next season of my life. Writing this book came with challenges and uncertainty.  Yet, when God spoke to me, I had to rely on him to help me release everything placed deep down inside of me.

To my husband Ben your support, prayers, patience, and encouragement inspired me. Thanks for believing in me, even when at times I didn’t believe in myself. You pushed me with your motivational words from God to keep writing. I thank God for allowing you to travel with me on this journey.

Amonni was a fragile little girl who needed unconditional love. We both watched her grow up to be a beautiful flower. I’m so blessed to have you as my husband, prayer partner, and friend. I love you both with all my heart.

To my daughter Angel, thank you for bringing Amonni into my life. It was not a mistake, but a divine set up by God. You were in the right place at the right time; when you saw this little precious baby. You have supported me and protected your little new sister. As she experienced many changes and yet you never left her side. Even when my patience grew thin; you remained calm and became my strength. Thank you for babysitting, braiding hair, and the times you spent helping me when I needed you. I pray that God will bless you a hundredfold and that you reap a harvest.

To my daughter Nadia, with your unconditional love, you welcomed Amonni with