eSpecially Ben

Since March, we have had a revolving door of staff working with Ben. Rather than discuss the gory details of each case, I decided to pass on what I learned from the experience. Having staff in our home is both a blessing and a curse. It is wonderful to have someone to help with Ben's personal care and independent skill building. It gives me a break and also helps Ben work on skills I may not have the time to do or are not skilled at teaching. However, it also means that there is a loss of privacy within our home. Feeling comfortable with the people who work with Ben is imperative to me. His safety is my first priority. It is not only what a staff person may or may not do, but it is the gut feeling I get when it does not feel right. I may not be able to put my finger on the problem, but that should not discount my feelings. These are a few things I have learned, and I would love for others to share any tips or ideas they have picked up through their own experiences. Trust yo

Today, Love INC coordinated the building of a much needed ramp on our home. Elevation Church volunteers followed the lead of Steve Parrot, a carpenter from Eastern Hills Baptist Church  and within 3 hours completed the entire structure. Our ramp was one of 600 service projects during Love Week , an annual event for Elevation Church. Steve cannot give an exact count, but this ramp probably put him over the 200 mark for ramps built with his help. Words cannot express our gratitude. Although complete strangers came out to help us, they left as friends. There were promises of a BBQ/Stain the Ramp/Fall Get Together in September...I am already planning the date!

Many months ago, I was told about a place Ryan and I could go for a weekend away. No charge, no hassles and meals included. Always the ever trusting and thrifty person, I tried to book a weekend in March, but it was already reserved. We finally scheduled a date for this past weekend, which worked out well because our 15th wedding anniversary is in just a few days. So what's the deal? Free lodging, food with no strings attached? Cannot be believed! Yup that's it. No 90 minute program on purchasing a time share, no recruitment into a religious cult and no scary dungeon with a dragon waiting to be fed two unsuspecting parents. The owners Jon and Paula, are parents to two grown sons. One son was born with dwarfism in the 1970's. Because their son had some special needs, their world expanded. They met parents who had children with disabilities, and they came to understand the stress and difficulties they faced each day. This led them to building a private cottage on the