Our grassroots effort to raise awareness and attendance at the Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies is paying off. One of Ben's community workers, Joey, forwarded the information about Operation: Fill The Stands to his church. It was in the church bulletin yesterday, read by one of the members who happens to be a reporter, Sharon Smith. She contacted Joey and the story was born. And with a little competition between news stations, the story got picked up by another local channel. The actual event will be covered by TV stations as well, an unusual occurrence, I am told. Watch them here: WBTV - Sunday, April 20, 2014 WBTV - Monday, April 21, 2014 Fox News - Monday, April 21, 2014 WBT Radio - go to 6:53 for the start of interview - Monday, April 21 Fox News - Tuesday, April 22, 2014 Charlotte Observer - Wednesday, April 23, 2014
These stories describe our journey with Ben, our oldest son. Ben is a sweet and energetic redhead, born with Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic mutation. My husband, Ryan, and I try to keep up with Ben and his two younger brothers. I intend to shed insight into raising a child with disabilities and pass on the wisdom we’ve earned over the past two decades.