Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

for the rights of all who are destitute. 
Proverbs 31:8

Susan Stroebel has had a mother's heart since her early college days, caring for young disciples, being a "big sister and friend" to younger children and teens.  She met her husband Dan in Chicago in 1988 while working as a teen leader.  In 1989, they married and moved to Los Angeles six months later as part of a fledgling ministry of 20 disciples in the East Region.  In 1991 their six-month-old son, Gabe, contracted spinal meningitis, which later developed into significant learning disabilities.  Their son Brock was born in 1993 with obvious signs of failure to thrive.  By six months old, it was obvious that Brock suffered retardation with a suspected diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy.  By the time Brock was two years old, he was having 100 seizures a day.  It wasn't until he was four years old that a conclusive diagnosis of Angelman's Syndrome was given.

Brock would often be awake for up to 48 hours due to the sleeplessness typical of his disorder.  Obviously, Dan and Susan were often exhausted and stretched beyond imagination. In the midst of their challenges, Susan gave birth to Jacqueline in 1995. Though times have been hard, "[Brock] has a way of making you feel incredibly special and appreciated," says Susan. "Brock has this amazing sense of letting you know he's having fun and when he laughs, it comes right from his toes and you feel like you must be one of the funniest people on the planet." 

Jean Sangl, a behavior therapist for young autistic children in Los Angeles, has known Susan both professionally and as a sister in Christ. "What I respect the most about Susan's mothering is her ability to discover, ignite and nurture her children's talents. Regardless of how hidden or small that spark of talent may be, Susan studies her children and knows when and how to encourage and magnify that talent. I seriously doubt that Brock would be walking and making the progress he has made without his mother's belief in him.  Gabe and Jacqueline likewise have benefited from Susan's perceptive and encouraging strengths." 

Susan is a light in her community as well.  On April 3, 2003 an article in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin boasted of the acceptance and inclusion of nine-year-old Brock into Roynon School in LaVerne, California. It took the efforts of a determined mom, loving family, "the school and especially the children to make it possible for him to be mainstreamed into a regular second-grade class."   "Brock is a joy to have, and I love having him in our class....It's been good for all of us," said teacher, Shelly Johnson.  Since his inclusion, Brock has become a model for other mainstreamed kids.  His nurse, Elianna Valdivia believes that that "being in school like this has helped his socialization skills.... It's the best thing for him."

Susan and Dan are both active in the spiritual resources ministry for families with special needs children as well as taking an active role in the political arenas that benefit funding for the disabled.  Due to her family's needs, Susan has had to cut back on her working hours, but because her heart is still to help other families with special children, she now works with parent support groups as a counselor for special needs children in Casa Colina.  Susan Stroebel's mother's heart is open wide to all who need her.

Perhaps most telling is what Susan's husband Dan has to say about her, "The thing that I admire most about Susan as the mother of a severely disabled child is that she has embraced the role God has given her.  Instead of turning inward and getting bitter or resentful with God, she has turned outward in her spirit.  This is often obvious, as she has spent many hours as an advocate working with other parents who have disabled children.  Her ideas and dreams for disabled children have been a constant encouragement for me as her husband.  Her attitude has had a direct effect on Gabe and Jacqueline because they consider having a severely disabled brother as a privilege and blessing from God."