Challenger Baseball – Senior Edition

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Our community just created a division of Challenger Baseball for adults; a fun, inclusive baseball league for adults with disabilities. Each player has a buddy to help and cheer them on, run the bases, hit the ball, and enjoy the game in a relaxed, supportive environment. The focus is all on fun, teamwork, and smiles!

Josiah played Challenger Baseball when he was much younger.  He ‘played’ and I use that term loosely, for 4 years.  He didn’t really enjoy it.

I just looked back at a blog post I wrote in 2015.  Here’s what I said then:

One year ago, Josiah was an active participant in our town’s Challenger Baseball League, willing to step up to the plate each week and knock one out (okay, more like graze one off of the tee) for his team, the Heroes.  It only took us 4 years to get him to that point.

The first year mostly he just cried. The second year we bribed him with beads. The third year he tolerated it with lots of encouragement, plenty of praise and a little bit of bead bribery. This year we can’t get the boy to put on his uniform; not the shirt, not the pants, not the socks and most certainly not the shoes.

It only seems fitting then, without a moment’s hesitation, I signed Josiah up for this new league the instant I learned about it.

I signed up to be the Team Mom.

Here’s the thing. I’ve been trying as best I can not to sign Josiah up for all the things.  He doesn’t really enjoy them.  Change is a challenge and transitions are very difficult for him.  He seems content with his life as it is and doesn’t seek adventure.

I’m the one that wants to do all the things.  I’m the one that wants Josiah to want to do all the things too.  So, I took a leap of faith and now I’m asking everyone and their brother to pray it all goes well.

It’s been 11 years since Josiah ‘endured’ Challenger Baseball.  What was I thinking? Read more…

Caring for the Caregivers

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Most days, caregiving moms don’t get to fall apart. We don’t get to rest fully. We carry medical appointments, therapies, behaviors, fears about the future, and the quiet ache of loving a child whose needs never clock out. Strength isn’t something we choose, it’s something we live inside of every day. 

So when I stumbled upon an organization that exists for one simple, radical purpose, to care for us, I didn’t realize just how deeply my soul needed it.

A sweet friend recently told me about Breathe In Ministries. And now, I want to tell you.

Started by 2 moms who have children with extra needs, they create sacred spaces for moms with caregiving challenges to experience REST – Replenishment, Encouragement, Silence, and Tranquility! Who doesn’t need that?

Read more…

Guardianship Should Be the Last Resort—Not the First Conversation

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As parents, we are entrusted with protecting our children. But there comes a point, especially as they approach adulthood, when protection must be balanced with dignity, respect, and a deep belief in who they are capable of becoming.

If you are raising a child with a disability, odds are you have been told, often repeatedly, that guardianship is what you will need when your child turns 18. I heard it so often that I assumed it was simply required. It was presented as a given, not a choice.

What many parents are never told is that guardianship is not just support. It is a legal declaration that an adult is incapacitated. It removes fundamental rights, often permanently, such as the right to vote, to marry, to make medical decisions, to sign contracts, and to decide where or with whom to live. Once those rights are taken away, restoring them is incredibly difficult. Read more…

What 24 Years of Being Josiah’s Mom Has Taught Me

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We’ve walked a long, windy, bumpy road with Josiah since 2002.  I vividly remember not being alarmed when we learned he would have Down syndrome.  I truly felt Josiah would just have a few extra hurdles to jump over.  With four typically developing siblings as built-in role models how hard could it be?

I love a challenge.

But, had I known how overwhelming, turbulent and exhausting life would become I don’t think I would have been so optimistic.

Here are some key takeaways that may help others just beginning this journey:

Read more…

Contemplating a Move Upstairs

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We are thinking about moving Josiah from his current room on the main floor of our home to a bedroom upstairs on the second floor.   The space he is in now is meant to be an office.  It has French glass doors, no closet and is rather small.  It’s also very close to the front door.  We have to be vigilant to keep Josiah in and the front door locked.

When all 5 kids were still home, they occupied the upstairs bedrooms.  We kept Josiah downstairs, to keep a close eye on him.  He was not a good sleeper (still a work in progress) and at times wandered the house in the wee hours of the morning.

Now that he’s 22 and outgrowing his current space, it feels like the right time to make a move.  Plus our home sustained extensive water damage last month with walls, a ceiling and flooring needing to be replaced.  Once we get it repaired, I think a move upstairs just makes sense.

I’m not sure how Josiah feels about it though. Read more…