Skip to main content

Finally, Swim Team


The cool spaceship is to motivate Ben to walk from one end to another.

We have been waiting a long time for Ben to join a swim team. Now, he can show off his skills at the Special Olympics in a sport that he enjoys. Our local YMCA staff and local Special Olympics worked together to start a team. 

Ben's first practice was this past Sunday. We could tell he was confused by all the swimmers in the pool with him. He could not help staring at the other athletes. After an introduction and a high-five to a 16-year-old swimmer, Ben was pleased. Making new friends will be great for him.

Here's my post in Charlotte Parent:

Comments

  1. Grandpa McCallFebruary 18, 2016 at 10:54 AM

    I look forward to seeing Ben's participation. I'm sure he will enjoy the experience.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 18, 2016 at 12:26 PM

    I have randomly stumbled across your blog and what an inspiration! My daughter is 3 and also has hypoplasia of the corpus callosum. We live in Florida and I have wondered how my daughter will be able to participate in swimming activities in the future. She has two older sisters that would live at the pool if they could. So wonderful to see sweet Ben participating in swim team! You have provided me with hope :).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VMIFebruary 18, 2016 at 12:35 PM

      JD - I am so glad you found us. Ben would live in the water if we let him. I have other posts about swimming and his physical therapy sessions in the water. He has come a long way with his skills in the water. We have been fortunate to have great facilities and people willing to work with him. Ben does best when his brothers are in the water with him. I am sure in FL you could find the same. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have other questions: vanessainfanzon@gmail.com

      Delete
  3. ElizabethFebruary 18, 2016 at 5:33 PM

    Way to go Ben! Love watching and playing with you in the water :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thank you for reading my post. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. If you wish to contact me directly, please let me know and I will email you.

Popular posts from this blog

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
1 comment
Read more

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....
2 comments
Read more
  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
Post a Comment
Read more