Take Me Out of the Ballgame...

No, I did not mistype the title of this post. The jury is not out anymore, I think Ben would rather be a spectator than a player in this sport. When he is in the dugout, he looks longingly at us sitting in the stands. When he is in the outfield, his complaints reach us from across the field. Just three more games and Ben can put in for retirement.

Although, I am not giving up on Ben's athletic career. One friend whose 14 year old son, Ryan, plays baseball on another team is having the time of his life. He made a home run last week and it was all I heard about from Logan. However, there was a time when Ryan played soccer and was so disinterested in the sport. His mom thinks his age has something to do with the change in interest. This gives me hope! Perhaps maturity or a change in sport may help Ben's perspective. We will just have to wait and see.

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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

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

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....

eSpecially Ben

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