eSpecially Ben

Our bathroom saga has been a long tale. We still have to add grab bars and a few other finishing touches, but it is complete. Hallelujah! It has changed our lives immeasurably.   It is unbelievable having bathroom space like this for Ben. Yes, it is beautiful and new and wonderful as far as bathrooms go, BUT it is AMAZING how much it has changed things for Ben: 1. Independence. Ben can sit on the toilet without the Blue Wave toilet system. He hated to be strapped into the special chair, and he refused to use the toilet. As soon as he was taken off, he went in the pull-up, no matter how much time we let him sit. It was a power struggle, and he won every time. And let's be honest, I took him less when I knew it was a lesson in futility. Now, he is using the toilet without hesitation. He is not trapped by the strap, plus he is just like everyone else now. Ben dresses at the counter. He holds on and lifts each leg to help put his pull-up and then pants on without b

If you remember, we participated in the Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America on June 4. It was an incredible experience - one our whole family still talks about whenever we are on that patch of road. We were a part of Special Olympics history and the memory of it was a good one. Last week, we were given the actual torch we carried on our half mile walk! If you live in our area and want to use it for school show and tell or an educational workshop, let me know. We want to lend it out to groups.

Ben is an ambassador for the Easter Seals Walk on November 7, 2015. Check out his page: Walk With Me Charlotte 2015: Honorary Ambassador Ben - Easter Seals

Ben has been up to his night escapades. Read about them here .

When Ben's new teacher in middle school texted me to see if it was okay for Ben to go to the book fair, I wrote back, "Sure." After a moment, I realized Ben had never been to a book fair, at least that I could recollect. I wrote the teacher again and told her that this was Ben's first opportunity to shop the book fair.  I was so proud of Ben when he came home with a book and a poster. We recently made some changes to his room and he had a blank wall above his bed - I guess he saw the need to fix that! The poster was a perfect fit. Ryan insists that Ben was trying to tell us something other than he needs more decoration in his room, but I am not touching that one.

Happy rainy Tuesday from Charlotte, NC.

Last spring,  Charlotte Parent  offered me the opportunity to start a blog focused on helping families raising a child with special needs. The magazine launched a new website in August, and Special Attention was born. You can now follow me at Twitter and Instagram . And if you are keeping count, Happy 6 Years to eSpecially Ben. Thank you for your support.

Rowdy bunch at Kickstand Burger Bar.  When I realized we could watch the Opening Ceremony for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games on ESPN, I thought PARTY! Our state office for Special Olympics got on board and helped us promote the event at Kickstand Burger Bar. 40 of us attended - athletes, coaches, volunteers and families! We gave out prizes, cheered for the athletes and made new friends. A highlight for me was seeing one of Ben's former classmates from many years ago and finding out she and Ben will be in the same class for middle school. Ted and John. John is a two time Special Olympics World Games athlete. He ran the 1/2 marathon in New Haven and Dublin. Special Olympics launched a new program on the eve of the Opening Ceremony:  Change the Game . It is powerful, straight forward and comes at the right time. ESPN's coverage of the Special Olympic World Games is a first. Robin Roberts ' interviews of athletes is unprecedented. The athletes are get