eSpecially Ben

Here are a few places to check out: North Carolina Assistive Technology Device loan - The device loan program helps individuals try out equipment in the location they will use it:  at home, work, school or recreational activities.  It’s a “try before you buy” approach which helps individuals and funding agencies make wiser choices. A wide range of assistive technology devices are available including augmentative communication ( for people with limited speech), computer access, low-vision aids, assistive listening, aids for daily living, switches, environmental controls, adaptive toys and recreational devices. Devices can be borrowed for a two week period.  Toys and other AT for young children (birth to 5 years old) may be loaned for longer periods of time. WCWAA Challenger Sports   The mission of Challenger Sports is to provide sporting opportunities for the special needs community to reach individual and team potential by providing participants, fa

Ben is hugging Trilby from the Raggs TV Show, a PBS show created in Charlotte. Ben and Trilby would have made the Guinness Book of World Records in the Longest Hug category (which has not been attempted yet) had we not broken them up to give a turn to the other kids waiting in line. * Addendum to this post: In March of this year, the record for the Longest Hug was established - 24 hours and 17 minutes. I was thinking about attempting to set the first record with Ben if it had never been tried, but a full day of hugs may even be too much for Ben. Now a Bob the Builder Marathon... Check out more photos : www.5minutesforspecialne eds.com

Ben, age 7 Check out www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com for more works of art.

Trick or Treat - Karate Kids, a Dragon and a Witch

Please read this article - it really shows how a community can pull together to help a family. I also liked the creative way the high school principal decided to raise money. Everyone for Ethan

All three boys sucked their thumb from early infancy. Ben was the only one to give it up at two years old, go figure. Logan is five and sucking away. We have tried over the past few years to help him give up the habit. With the start of Kindergarten and being around older kids, we counted on peer pressure to end the habit. We mentioned to Logan that his friends would make fun of him. Later that day, I heard Logan asking a friend if he minded the thumb sucking. His friend shrugged, and said, "I don't mind." Well that was the end of that idea. At the dentist recently, I asked him to talk with Logan about thumb sucking. Logan shared his reasons for thumb sucking - it makes his mouth feel good. He suggested to Logan that he find another way to get to that happy place. Well it seems the $1 Store is that happy place. Each day that Logan does not suck his thumb he can pick from a bag of goodies he chose from the $1 Store. So far it is working. I do think the talk with the

Check out www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com for more photos.