Rainbow Express 2013

Ben attended Rainbow Express Camp again this year. Although I was not the person bringing him to camp, I was told that he was banging on the glass to get out of the car once he saw where he was going. One of Ben's mighty abilities is his memory. We do not go anywhere near this church during the year, but every year, without exception, he is clamoring to get in there.

Matthews United Methodist Church's youth program coordinated the entire week. The teens in the program served as the camp counselors, and they worked their tails off all week making it Ben's favorite place to be.

If Ben looks a little tired, he was. In addition to participating in a fun-filled day of camp from 9am-4pm, he had a summer cold too. When he was asked in the morning if he wanted to go to camp, he crawled to the door to get to the car.

Ben's counselor, Tanner, sent photos to me during the week. I was actually away visiting family and it was so good to see Ben having a good time. It is good to see the counselor having a god time too. On one of the last days, the camp brings in inflatable slides and climbing equipment. Tanner promised that Ben would get a chance to go down one of the slides. As you can see, he kept his word!

Comments

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

eSpecially Ben

Search This Blog