Posts by: Michael Casten

Michael Casten

Michael Casten is married and a father of three, one being a child with SMA Type 2 (born in June, 2011). He has been an educator and has worked directly with children and their families since 1994. He loves his family, writing, working with his hands, and taking road trips. Michael holds a BS in Psychology (1994) and a MA in Education (2001).

November 6, 2019November 4, 2019

Casten Kids Make the Most of a Cold Halloween

Columns, Five Servings of Strength- a column by Michael Casten

The winds howled and the blustery snow started falling early in the day. It was an unusual sight for the last day of October — Halloween. The city was ... Read more

October 30, 2019October 28, 2019

Spending Time with Our Children Comes First

Columns, Five Servings of Strength- a column by Michael Casten

There are three Casten kids: Ava (12), Henry (11), and Ella (9). They each need our attention, and will ask for it periodically. Our life is quite crazy. Lindsay ... Read more

October 23, 2019October 21, 2019

Ella Learns About Purchasing Power and Budgets

Columns, Five Servings of Strength- a column by Michael Casten

The Casten household has a tight budget. I have been a teacher for 19 years, and Lindsay is the director of children’s ministries at our church. We are a ... Read more

October 16, 2019October 14, 2019

Ella and Henry Make Me Proud at Their Parent-teacher Conferences

Columns, Five Servings of Strength- a column by Michael Casten

The school was bustling as children and adults exchanged greetings while rushing about. Parent-teacher conferences were underway. I arrived at the school with Ella and Henry, 30 minutes early ... Read more

October 9, 2019October 8, 2019

Ella and Her Siblings Are Excited About Getting a New Minivan

Columns, Five Servings of Strength- a column by Michael Casten

We picked up our modified van from our local Honda dealership. The mechanics replaced parts from the door’s mechanism, but it still doesn’t work properly. The company that carried ... Read more

October 2, 2019October 23, 2019

Ella’s Small Gesture Strengthens Her Sibling Bonds

Columns, Five Servings of Strength- a column by Michael Casten

Ella is the youngest of the three Casten children. Ava, her sister, is 12, and Henry, her brother, is 10. Ella, who turned 9 in June, comes right behind ... Read more

September 25, 2019October 10, 2019

Ella Takes Another Trip to the Emergency Room

Columns, Five Servings of Strength- a column by Michael Casten

We rolled up to the emergency room for the second time this month. The first time, Ella had broken her left foot. Now we were there for the other ... Read more

September 18, 2019September 19, 2019

Ella Discovers a New Talent for Songwriting

Columns, Five Servings of Strength- a column by Michael Casten

Music helps us to express our feelings, dreams, and aspirations. Ella has been to several Young Naperville Singers rehearsals and is loving it more and more. She can’t wait ... Read more

September 11, 2019September 11, 2019

Life Moves Forward Despite Setbacks

Columns, Five Servings of Strength- a column by Michael Casten

The old saying, “You don’t know what you have until you lose it,” rings true these days. We took our accessible van to Superior Van and Mobility in South ... Read more

September 4, 2019September 4, 2019

Ella Is Happy When She’s Singing

Columns, Five Servings of Strength- a column by Michael Casten

“I’m so excited,” Ella kept saying the afternoon before her first rehearsal with the Young Naperville Singers. When it was finally time to leave, we loaded her and her ... Read more

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