Local Church Holding Special Needs Conference Saturday

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Hixson church is looking to raise awareness with a special needs conference this weekend.

Pastor Steve Cape and his wife Wanda have led Hillside Baptist Church on Dayton Boulevard for 25 years.

For that entire time, their daughter Heather has been battling a cascade of serious medical issues.

Mrs. Cape said, “When Heather was nine years old she had a bike wreck at our home, and afterwards she ran into the house with a seizure and that began the story of her illness.”

Heather developed two rare brain disorders including rasmussen encephalitis, and has since suffered countless seizures since the accident.

The condition escalated to require that Heather needed the left half of her brain removed two years ago.

However, despite being in critical condition at several points, the Capes see her as a miracle.

Pastor Cape said, “With all these many years of experiences that she’s had, at one time having over 200 seizures a day, we have witnessed her go through some things, but witnessed her go through them with grace.”

This is why the Capes along with their church are hosting their second “Count It All Joy” Special Needs Conference.

The conference will have four main sessions devoted to discussing strategies for supporting those in need.

Additionally, there will be inflatables and a petting zoo, which also serves as the inspiration for the conference’s backdrop.

Pastor Cape said, “Our backdrop and our theme has to a lot to do with laughing animals and there will be a lot of laughter, and it will be lighthearted, but yet there will be truths that will be given and shared based on the life principles we have learned.”

The conference is from 9 to 3 on Saturday at Hillside Baptist Church and is free to attend.

Heather is certainly excited for the day.

She said, “We are having petting zoos coming! So come and pay us a visit at Hillside!”