eSpecially Ben

After Ben's big baseball game on Saturday, we drove to the mountains to pick apples at  Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock, NC. It was one of the most perfect days for it - blue skies, not too hot, not too cool. As soon as Ben was out of the car, he found a seat on the grass overlooking the playground and orchards and enjoyed the view. A few times he moved closer to where kids were playing, but for the most part he was content to sit and watch. A man who was there with his three grandchildren came and sat right next to Ben in the grass. He asked Ben his name. Ben leaned over to this man, named David, and gave him the most tremendous hug, lasting at least a minute. David's grandchildren walked slowly by, staring, and the man said to them, "When you walk by someone without saying hello, you never know what you might miss out on." Thanks David for the lesson.

The Braves go in for a team cheer! Coach Jeff gives the team a pep talk while Ben eats donuts. Teammate waiting through a bad pitch! Ben in the outfield, waiting for a fly ball or a way to escape! Ben's personal cheering section! Teammate making it to first base. Coach Jeff Ben with his Buddy, Michelle As always, Logan and Sean woke with their usual question, "What are we doing today?" When I explained it was Saturday and we had Ben's first baseball game, I was not expecting the reaction I received: a hoot for excitement and a plea to make signs supporting Ben. We arrived at the field and almost every parking space was taken. The place was crowded, decorated with balloons and the music was blaring. I bit my lip because I felt the tears coming. At that exact moment Ryan told me he had goose bumps. In a crazed 15 minutes, we got Ben's uniform, met Coach Jeff and Ben's buddy, caught

The Miracle League held a social this week to get us ready for the games this Saturday. Ben is playing for the Braves - a fact his Dad is very happy about. Volunteers, coaches and buddies were there for us to meet. We have a team mom who is also the coach's wife, and very excited players. Logan and Sean had the best time throwing balls and meeting the other kids. I think for them, this will be a time to play with siblings who are in the same situation - not that I am looking for group counseling, but it is a good place to talk, meet and make friends. I get to socialize quite a bit with other parents, but Ryan does not and this can be a safe place to meet other dads facing similar stresses, emotions and questions. The new field, the tons of volunteers, the coach's letter to us - none of it got me emotional. Reading the list of information we received today letting us know of the team party and that each player will receive a trophy is what got to me. Ben being part

A creative approach to business - check it out: Pawing It Forward

After three hours of bowling, Logan and Sean were begging to go home. Ryan and I were more than ready too. The one still giggling and laughing at 10pm? Ben. He was the winner of the first game and came in second place in the next game. I guess all that practice for the Special Olympics paid off. Finished up the third frame and look who was in the lead... And the winner...

Ben saw the eye doctor for his annual visit last week, a change since last year when he was given a clean bill of health. His strabimus, or lazy eye, is much better now and he does not need to be seen quarterly. The doctor did mention that when Ben looks all the way to the left or right, his eyes jump, perhaps making objects to his far right or left blurry. Combined with this information the new speech therapist gave us a week ago - Ben does much better with picture cards that are in a vertical line rather than a horizontal line. Putting these two pieces of information together help teachers and therapists working with Ben develop strategies to enhance his education. A word of caution for those of you have not experienced the eye doctor visit when eye dilation is involved...it can be a two to three hour long visit. Bring whatever survival items you need to get through it - food, toys, DVD player and Valium for yourself in severe cases. I had Sean and Logan with me and luckily the

Ben and Logan had their first day of school today. Sean starts on Thursday for staggered entry for Pre-K students. Ben's bus was too late for us to wait for it, so after 50 minutes of waiting impatiently, I drove him to school. It was so easy, it made me think about making that one mile drive each day. This year, I am trying out a new plan. I will pick Ben up from school at 3:15pm every day to give him  time to eat and use the bathroom before therapy. In years past, it has been a mad rush to get everything done and if the bus was late, it was stressful. Logan and Sean need to be picked up at the same time Ben is "supposed" to get off the bus. By doing it this way, Ben will get to walk with me to Logan and Sean's school to pick them up. I think he will enjoy being a part of this ritual. Hope all goes well for your first days of school!

During a conversation with another parent yesterday about the best way to work with the teachers and principal at Ben's school, she said that she was ready to "do battle." I was glad we were talking on the phone because she could not see my reaction to her declaration. I vehemently disagree with this method of advocating for your child. Using a fighting mentality to get what you want for your child may only get you a reputation for being a difficult parent, that could potentially follow you around from school to school and agency to agency. (The special education/exceptional child field is small.) The results may be that your child's needs are never met. Here are a few ideas that came to mind as I thought about this situation with this mom and how she discussed her relationship with the school and the roadblocks she encountered. Hopefully, you may be able to put a few of these to good use: Be an advocate. When I looked up the definition for "advocate" a

There are not many times when Ryan and I are both left speechless, but it happened one evening when we were out to dinner with the boys. It was our last night at the beach and a thunderstorm was threatening to hit. We chose the covered porch area because the wait for an inside table was over 30 minutes long. I realized too late that the outdoor dining also served as the smokers' hangout. With the Olympics playing on the TV, the big storm hovering above and three rambunctious boys, conversation with the revolving door of smokers came easy. Our food took awhile to arrive and Ben became fiercely hungry. Ben's mood was not at its best - he was tired and hungry, never a good combination for anyone. One of the quieter smokers brought us out popcorn. He mentioned that things were a bit slow in the kitchen. We thanked him, and assumed he was an owner. After we ate a delicious dinner, the waitress came over to tell us that our bill had been paid. My husband tried to guess who our th

I believe Andy Cooper deserves credit for this photo. This is Oscar Pistorius of South Africa.  The little girl is five year old Ellie. As the story goes, she raced Oscar four times and won each time. I know controversy surrounded  Pistorius's participation in the Olympics . I did not know much about his story, but I believed he should have the opportunity. After hearing him speak after one of the semi-finals and then seeing this, I am confident in my support.  With technology changing and opportunities being made possible, why not be inclusive?

Adrenaline Rush, Endorphin Spike, or perhaps Olympic Envy -  whatever it was, I have a new love for  Jumping Pillows . There were moments of fear - especially when my brother or husband decided to jump within inches of me. For the most part, it was like flying (with a safety bubble underneath me). Photo credit goes to my brother-in-law, Steve, who was very patient with me and my camera.

On impulse we followed signs directing us to this covered bridge. We traveled through twelve miles of winding countryside and worried if we would ever find our way back to the main road. We were skeptical, but were rewarded with a break from our long road trip. The stream with rocks and short walking path were enough to rejuvenate us for the hours to come. Is there a life lesson here?  Wandering can sometimes be what we need at the moment .

Ben's favorite place to be. Ever heard of the sea turtles who lay their eggs on the beach and then head back to the sea. Ben's technique reminded us of those beautiful creatures. If we did not stop him, Ben would have kept going and going. When Ben was not in the water, this is what he looked like... We used the Landeez Chair again. The lifeguards and staff at this beach were so helpful in making sure we knew we could use it for Ben and even offered to put one aside for the next day. It made traveling on the sand easy.

2003 2012 Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

We saw it on the evening news the same day of the event. The kids were pretty excited to have their moment on TV. I missed out since I was hunting pistachios in the car for hungry children. Check us out - it is quick so don't blink! The video is on the far right: Miracle Field Dedication - TV Story

When Ben is not doing well, it is an all consuming task to figure out what to do. And when things are good, everything seems brighter. For the past three weeks, Ben has been sleeping and eating well, walking with his walker and alert. "He's Back" was my second choice for a post title. Ben is back in full form - silly personality, sneak attacks and mischievous behavior. I will take it all - over the drugged out boy of a few months ago. The cause for these changes - medication. We have made just a few adjustments and they are working. In the meantime, we did have Ben's blood sent to a lab for genetic testing. Supposedly, it could tell us more about his seizure disorder and help in choosing the best medications for Ben. Right now, we will ride the high; enjoy a fun and wild summer, taking the boys swimming and hiking, going on road trips and playing disc golf. I take it all week by week, appreciate these easy times and keep my eye on the red head - because he is a tricky

Today, our family attended the Miracle Field Home Plate Dedication for the new field being built at the University YMCA, just 15 minutes from our home. The photo shows the beginnings of a field complete with cardboard cut outs of players. (The back loader is real.) After many speakers (in 95 degree heat) the home plate was set in place, and then we were served the proper baseball meal - hot dogs, Cracker Jacks, Babe Ruth chocolate bars and chips. The field will be made of a hard rubber surface, perfect for wheelchairs and walkers. Games last about an hour, with just 2 innings played (I said a silent thank you when I heard that.). Each player has a buddy who is at least 12 years old. All players get to bat and it seems that the last batter always gets a home run. The focus is on meeting other families and making friends - baseball is just the medium. Homer, the mascot for the Charlotte Knights Baseball Team, was in attendance. The team's owner, Bill Allen, has a strong

Rainbow Express is sponsored by a local church. I do not know how long they have been sponsoring this camp, but the model they use works. Each camper (special needs child) has a buddy (typical developing child, same age as camper) and a teenage counselor . They spend the week together playing, worshipping and becoming friends. Each day is jam-packed with arts & crafts, park visits, dancing, singing and always ends with a custom-made puppet show. Roughly 75 campers participate - so this is no small group. The youth of this church plan and execute this camp. They spend a large portion of their year planning for this week. Although adults volunteer and help during the week, the majority of the program is completed by the youth. The theme this year was "Be Strong," taken from Ephesians 6:10, "Be strong in the Lord and His great power." The entire church was turned into a castle. The week is always a reunion - everyone wants to see their past camper, budd