eSpecially Ben

Last November, Ryan and I were given a free night in Myrtle Beach, compliments of HOPE ( Helping Outcomes for Parents of Exceptional children) , a new non-profit organization. I wrote about our experience here and included some links to articles about the effects on parents' relationship when raising a child with special needs. We all know marriage is continuous hard work without any extra set of issues. Add any type of problem and the stress is multiplied. Zondra Moss, the CEO of HOPE, submitted an application to The Pepsi Refresh Grant last month. Fortunately, HOPE was accepted as one of the 1000 applications for the 30 day voting process. The top ten ideas will receive a $50,000 grant. To find out more about this organization, please check out their site: HOPE Website Please check it out and if you are so inclined, please vote: Pepsi Refresh Grant ** Just in case you do not think your vote will make a difference, last month AMBUCS won a $50,000 grant to give 100 ch

  Imaginon is a public library for children. It is a great place for Ben to run around in his special TAOS walker, have a snack and meet new friends, some real, some not.

See other photos at www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com

Logan enjoying the whole camping experience. I love everything about camping - the campfire, the s'mores, the hiking, looking for frogs and other small animals - except the sleeping part, oh and the bugs. Within 30 minutes of our house, we have a county park that for $36, you can get a site with a 9'x12' tent already assembled with two cots inside. Not having camped before with all the kids, we decided this may be a good trial run for us. If disaster struck, we could make a fast getaway. For good measure, I also invited Kim, a teacher who works with Ben, and her husband for extra help and moral support. All went great until it was time for sleep - between Sean running in circles around the tent until midnight, teenagers playing a very loud game of hide-and-seek, Ben waking up to use the bathroom at 2am and Logan yelling at 4am, "Where am I?" – no one really slept, despite the Benadryl everyone received before bedtime. Next time, yes there will be a next t

Logan, age 4 1/2        Everyone started with a color wheel in art class at school. Then they were told to make something with the color wheel included in the picture. And the brown square on the clown's leg...a cast. The clown has a fake broken leg. Check out other works of art at www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com .

I came across this and thought what a wonderful mom to think of this for her son - and such an easy way for someone to give support to this boy. If you are so inclined, get out your construction paper, glue and crayons and get writing!

I attended the Be the Bridge Rally last Friday. Be the Bridge is a new organization made up of at least 55 city and county agencies that work with people with mental illness, developmental delays or substance abuse issues. The group's mission is to promote awareness and find creative ways for the public to help, especially in times of budget cuts that can have a devastating impact on this group of people. Not really knowing what to expect at this rally, I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout of people, the excitement of the crowd and the participation from adults with special needs. Everyone waved their hammers each time a speaker said the word, "bridge." Attendees made posters and signs to get people's attention The speakers were motivational, either telling of personal survival or promising support through political and community avenues. The County Commissioner tried a risky move and sang a few lines from a "A Bridge Over Troubled Water."