Life & Work with Dietrich McMillan of Durham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dietrich McMillan.

Hi Dietrich, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Designed by God was birthed out of my testimony of having an exceptional child and my desire to encourage parents to live their purpose-filled life during their exceptional journey. When our daughter, Brittney, was diagnosed with a chromosome deletion, the diagnosis was relatively new. The geneticist said they had just learned of her type of genetic disorder and that many children were misdiagnosed. Okay, so now what? I went home and started researching. The internet was still relatively new (dial-up was still the thing), so you had to know what you were looking for. I researched and learned as much as I could. At the time, the closest support group was in South Carolina, and the practicability of attending was slim to none. I learned her characteristics and where to spend our time and resources. Many of the attributes she exhibited, and still exhibits, are closely related to Autism, hence her second diagnosis. Through researching and understanding her disorder, I have been able to inform and educate her doctors, teachers, and other professionals. I regularly gave them updates and played a vital role in her education and care.

One of the characteristics of Brittney’s diagnosis is absent to severely delayed speech. Most who know me know that I am a true optimist. I believe every cloud has a silver lining, and there is nothing too hard for Jesus. So, I dismissed the word absent and put my belief into the severely delayed speech. Before having a seizure at the age of two, she would say simple words – ‘Go’ and ‘Eat’ were her first two words. After the seizure, she lost her words. Or, it seemed. Later, when she entered middle school, she began to say, “I Love You.” This baffled speech therapists. The therapists said those words were classified as difficult words to say. It didn’t matter; God once again proved that what man deems impossible is possible for God (Luke 18:27). I rejoiced – calling grandparents and anybody else I could think of. Now, she responds verbally when asked questions. For example, if asked do you need to go to the bathroom? If the answer is yes, she’ll grunt and then go to the bathroom. Her efforts to communicate verbally are still growing. While preparing for a group meeting, she began to babble with inflection and tone, expressing herself. I respond as if I know what she is saying, and we both start laughing. I believe that her verbal ability will continue to grow because I rest my hope in delayed but not denied.
​
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) states: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. I have learned over the years that because of my study of our daughter’s diagnosis, I have been able to better advocate for her needs and wants. I am not ashamed to educate and inform the professionals. They are still baffled by my daughter, not just in speech but in her overall well-being. When the professionals mention this, I respond, ‘but Jesus’.
​
In dealing with a life designed by God, I have learned to acknowledge that God designs my life for an exceptional purpose. With such acknowledgment, I Believe that all things are possible with God, and I should pray and seek God’s wisdom and understanding. Last, through faith, I can Conquer challenges set before me and that all things are possible through Jesus Christ.

A good, happy, fulfilled life as it was meant to be. John 10:10b tells us that Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly. Through my journey, I want to equip, educate and empower other parents so they can live a life that God designs. Designed by God provides mentorship, encouragement, and a different way of thinking through our unique journey.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are always challenges in this life. John 10:10a says that the enemy has come to steal, kill and destroy. Despite the difficulties we face, we are still overcomers. Some of the challenges on this journey that led me to encourage and help parents were the lack of respect we find in the behavioral health, medical, and educational systems. I primarily had challenges and still have challenges in getting behavioral health service providers to ensure our daughter’s proper care. Another challenge in the medical system is being heard and understood, particularly when doctors are going by the textbook treating the symptom rather than the person. Last, although I had not experienced great difficulties in the school system, many parents have difficulty getting the educational assistance their child needs. Designed by God offers tips and a different way of thinking through these struggles. Such as providing seminars on the real-life experiences of other parents and how they overcame their obstacles. IE Advocating for Proper Medical Care and advocating for resources, to name a couple: https://www.lifedesignedbygod.com/advocacy

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Jesus has impacted and guided every aspect of my life. In my professional career, I currently serve as Managing Attorney for Legal Aid of NC -Durham office. Our office covers seven counties, with a satellite office in Vance County, North County. Legal Aid is a statewide non-profit law firm. We offer free civil legal services to help thousands of victims of abuse, families on the brink of homelessness, and others in crisis get the justice they deserve, with access to housing, education, healthcare, employment, safety from abuse, and other life-changing benefits. I love working for Legal Aid because it continues my mission to offer hope and help to those in need. Serving others is my calling card. I can bridge my natural work and my spiritual gifts by not only being able to help legally but being able to encourage people during some of their most stressful times is what I am most proud of. People often need a listening ear, a different way of seeing and thinking through their issues, and simple encouragement that they are worthy of so much and are good persons. Knowing someone believes in them can make a difference. I have seen people leave abusive homes and become first-time homeowners, become business owners, fight and win governmental systems setting precedence, learn to co-parent a child with special needs, and much more. I carry the same passion while in ministry Designed by God.

Assisting and helping people spiritually is even more rewarding. Through Designed by God, I can encourage, equip and educate parents on their legal and spiritual rights. I have more freedom to walk with and mentor those in a crisis. For instance, through the seminars, a parent could have her child with special needs placed into the correct schooling environment with a curriculum tailored to him. As a Minister of the Gospel, I can show the true power of Jesus and the life He intended for us to have. Yes, there will be difficulties, but we can overcome and conquer each of them with the right mindset and knowing that we can do all things through Jesus Christ, who strengthens us. (Philippian 4:13)

As the author of ‘Stay Encouraged: Encouraging Words and Lessons for Parents with Exceptional Children.’ I hope to bring a different view to let parents know how they are truly special and that when they acknowledge and Believe, they can Conquer anything placed before them.

I believe that God will meet you in every aspect of your life with the gifts and tools needed. Whether on your job or in your ministry. That each will complement the other and that we all will live a better life as God designed it to be.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those just starting.
Do what you love. Do not worry about the money or who will talk against you. Do your research and follow your heart. Be patient and keep an open mind. Remember that what may seem impossible to man is possible through God. (Luke 18:27)

Contact Info:

• Website: lifedesignedbyGod.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifedesignedbygod/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Designed4Purpose
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNPiRMET-75yVUOssY-35ww
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/Stay-Encouraged-Encouraging-Exceptional-Children/dp/1732773157/ref=sr_1_1?crid=I2GXFUX7G5R7&keywords=stay+encouraged+encouraging+words&qid=1661229997&sprefix=%2Caps%2C475&sr=8-1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Credits
Headshot photo by: Kimazing Photography Logo by: Tembi Gray Photography Book Cover and published by EmpowerMe Books