From Burden to Blessing: A Catholic Dad’s Journey with His Special Needs Child

What happens when you stop asking God to change your child and start thanking Him for the gift they are? Jim and Meghan talk with Randy Hain, Catholic executive coach, author, and father of a son with autism. Randy shares his journey from fear to acceptance, revealing how his son Alex became a source of grace—not despite his diagnosis, but because of it.

Whether you're raising a child with special needs or simply facing unexpected challenges in family life, this episode will encourage you to shift your perspective, deepen your surrender, and rediscover God’s purpose in your parenting.

What’s in this episode:

• Randy’s powerful story behind the title: From Burden to Blessing
• How a priest’s gentle challenge reframed their prayers for Alex
• What “accepting the gift” really looks like for Catholic parents
• Why support for special needs families often begins with small parish encounters
• How the Hane family found peace, community, and purpose through faith
• The story behind Randy’s book, Special Children, Blessed Fathers
• Advice for parents navigating a new autism diagnosis
• Why marriage must remain a focus in the midst of parenting challenges
• Resources every Catholic family should know: Word on Fire, Catholic Parents Online, and The Catholic Gentleman
• Book he’s currently reading: Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques Philippe
• Advice to his younger self: Slow down and savor the journey
• Final wisdom: Shift your life from building a résumé to cultivating eulogy virtues

Resources Mentioned:

Special Children, Blessed Fathers by Randy Hain – Stories and reflections for dads of children with special needs

Word on Fire – Bishop Barron’s apostolate offering Catholic teaching and resources

Catholic Parents Online – Online platform offering Catholic parenting support and resources

The Catholic Gentleman – Podcast and site offering resources for Catholic men

Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques Philippe – A guide to cultivating inner peace in everyday life

National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) – Ministry supporting parish inclusion for those with disabilities

IntegratedCatholicLife.org – Faithful content co-founded by Randy Hain and Deacon Mike Bickerstaff