Mercy, Salvation and Brushes with Fame

This weekend I ran my ninth race of the year - Run for Mercy - at Reedy Creek Park. It was a 5K trail race, organized by an international organization, Mercy. They raised over $21,000 for the local chapter. If you are not familiar with this organization, check it out. They do amazing things for girls in crisis world-wide.

And they also know how to plan a race. With "door" prizes, kid games, a fun run, kind-of superheroes (Captain Salvation, Monkey Joe and the Cow from Chick-Fil-A), food and drinks, the race was a true family event. The race was well-orchestrated with water available on the trails and volunteers directing us at every turn. I have been running these trails with a friend so I was prepared for the terrain.

The best part of the race was Ryan and the three boys cheering me on. It was a big boost to know that they were waiting for me at the finish line.

The kids took part in the Fun Run. Sean ended up running way ahead. He rounded the bend and the trees blocked my view of him. Luckily Captain Salvation was there to save the day. He (and his wife) offered to take Ben for me so I could catch up to Sean.

We ended up taking photos with Captain Salvation - who was wonderful with the boys. He suggested that I enroll Sean in some sports because he ran so well. That's nice of him to say, I thought at the time.

Captain Salvation's wife promised to send me the photos through her husband's Facebook account. Later, on Facebook, I found out just who that masked man was - Shane Burton, a former defensive tackle football player for eight years, two of which were with the Carolina Panthers. His comment about Sean needing to enroll in sports carries a lot more weight now.

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Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities

"Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities" is a series on eSpeciallyBen. As Ben approached 18, it was clear our role changed as parents. We needed to help Ben transition into adulthood. These stories are meant to assist other families who face, or will face, some of the same challenges. Talking About the Future Guest Post - Matt Wilson Legal Guardianship, Medicaid and SSI Researching Group Homes Questions to Ask at a Group Home Visit Referral Packet for Group Homes Getting Assistance from a Care Manager From Group Home Placement to Discharge Reaching for Independence

Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities: From Group Home Placement to Discharge

Last August, we moved Ben into an alternative family living (AFL) placement, about 90 minutes from our home in Charlotte. It was a three-bedroom house and Ben was given the largest bedroom with its own bathroom. A typical AFL in North Carolina operates like this: a person with disabilities, the client, moves in with another family, couple or an individual. The client lives in the family’s home and the family receives payment in return for housing, feeding and caring for the client. Ben’s AFL was unusual: A couple with extensive caregiving experience wanted to run a three-bed group home but needed to apply for the license through the state. They were willing to take Ben as the first resident in a house, separate from the one they lived in. The plan, according to the couple, was to get approval for the group home within a couple of months. We ordered Ben a double bed, headboard, 54-inch television, new sheets, towels and blankets. Friends helped us move him in....

Ben is thriving in his group home in Charlotte. I wrote about what he's been up to in this story in Southpark Magazine: Givers: All together Happy Holidays! Photo Credit Grant Baldwin Photography

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