Out With the Old and in With...Positivity

I have spent the past few days reflecting on the events of last year.  Some were the lowest of lows and other events made me feel like I was on cloud 9.  

I spent a better part of two years fighting for handicap accessibility for Jarrett.  It literally killed me.  I was the most unhappy I have ever been in my life.  So unhappy I withdrew from life and was probably in a very deep depression.   I had so much to be happy about, but my son not being able to go to school due to ignorance and lack of understanding broke my heart and my spirit.  I felt like I was a failure.  I decided to draw the last card in my deck and took our fight public with the help of Jeff Edelstein from The Trentonian and Thalia Perez at Fox 29 News. 

 The public attention and support was overwhelming.  Then I wrestled with putting my sons disability out there for all to see and the fact that there are lot of private and sensitive issues we deal with.  Would he understand why I did this or would he hate me someday?? Ultimately, it worked for the better.  The school district and I entered into a private settlement agreement and Jarrett's needs have been met since September 19th.  What a wonderful school he attends.  Wonderfully teachers, staff and principal. We couldn't be happier.  Jarrett couldn't be happier and that's the most important part!!  The happiest is when he comes home and tells me he was able to play on "his playground" with all of his friends. Happy, happy, happy dance!! To know that two schools in our district have handicap accessible bathrooms and playgrounds makes me happy that no parent will have to fight like I did for something so basic and simple as using the potty and playing with friends.

Tyler is doing great!  He is in 4th grade and is really coming into his own.  He walks to and from school with a friend.  He started playing the flute and loves to read!  He is such a great help and such a joy.  The best part of me is my children and the joy they bring to the world.  

A big highlight this summer was getting involved with Special Olympics.  Both boys had a blast, but seeing Jarrett run a 25 meter dash and receiving a medal was priceless.  We became involved with a unified soccer program and love done experience and the skills both the boys learned.  Live unified, 

Play unified!!

Then we played baseball for The Miracle League of Mercer County.  We hung out with new friends and even saw a few familiar faces.  What a joy to be involved with such wonderful organizations that build self esteem and have fun learning about each others individuality.

We even experienced throwing a ball out at the Trenton Thunder game!!!!  So incredibly amazing.

Thanksgiving brought hard times when my husband was laid off from his job.  We have patiently waited for unemployment to kick in and are still waiting all while he searches for a new job.  We struggled to buy Christmas presents for the kids and to keep the roof over our heads, but the Lord has provided for us yet again.  I try not to worry because we have a wonderfully loving and supportive family and know they are there when we need them.  

Jarrett recently began taking steps independently without a walker or crutches which gives us hope he may walk unassisted someday.  God has been so good to us with Jarrett's progress.  I am forever thankful for having a loving God who has a plan that I can't see, but have faith to trust in Him.  

The hardest part of this year was losing a friendship.  It was the hardest choice I had to make, but moving forward in happiness doesn't leave room for those who bring negativity and doubt.  I question my choice everyday, but know I made the right choice for me and ultimately my family.  My true friends are those who are loving, supportive and understanding.  I am thankful for a few amazing women I have in my life and count on as friends.  They are my rock.

As 2015 is about to roll in my focus is clear.  I will continue to work with the special education department in my district to see real change and progression for inclusive instruction, accessibility and parental collaboration for all.  I want to spend more time getting closer to God and my faith.  I want to spend as much time with my children and husband and mostly my family no matter how near or far they are from us.  

Life is hard, so be thankful for your blessings and be sure to count them everyday.  No matter how small they may be, they are blessings and should never be taken for granted. 

Live Love and Happy New Year,

Kerri 

Our Adaptive Halloween

This year Halloween was a challenge.  Jarrett tires easily when walking and he made the decision himself to use his wheelchair.  He had chosen his costume months ago and now it was almost Halloween and I had procrastinated, like I always do, to design a costume for his wheelchair as well.

I began searching the internet for creative ideas and found the perfect one!  Jarrett chose to be Captain America and he only rides a motorcycle.   I had the hair brain idea to turn his wheelchair into a motorcycle!  What was I thinking???  Being that I procrastinated, life got in the way and had waited till the day before Halloween to get started, my plan had to change.  I decided to dress his wheelchair to match his costume.

Here are the instructions:

Supplies: Total Cost to create $15 and about two hours of time.

Red, white and blue crafters paint
Metallic silver crafters paint
Foam brushes
Hot glue gun
Poster board (5 sheets)
Red, orange and yellow tissue paper
Pinwheels
Zip ties
Scissors
Stapler

I used different sized pot lids to make the circles for Captain Americas Shield. Traced the outlines of the circles and painted them according to photos of the actual shield I found online. Painted each shield and then hot glued them to an extra larger circle to give them more support. They were hole punched in three locations and secured with zip ties to the wheels of the wheelchair.

The exhaust pipes were made with rolled up poster board, hot glued to maintain shape and then stapled to the second tube. I used two tubes on each safety bar and painted with metallic crafters paint. The tubes were made wide enough to fit over the anti-tipping guards and the guards were turned up to attach the exhaust. I them suffer the tunes with the colored tissue paper to give it a flame appearance.

Lastly to add a little pizazz I added red, white and blue pinwheels to the front. They were attached with hot glue.

Behind the wheelchair I attached my sons real Captain America shield using ribbon to be able to take it on and off when he wanted to use the shield.

Happy Halloween!!!

First Ever Class Trip

Today was an awesome day!!  Jarrett went on his first ever class trip to Westhaven Farm in Allentown, NJ.  He was able to walk  onto the bus himself which was a huge accomplishment, take that Spina Bifida!.  He talked with his friends and explored the farm.

We walked through the corn maze.  This was a first for Jarrett and the terrain was tricky, but he did it with a huge smile on his face.

And took some silly photos....

We saw some animals too!!

We took lots of pictures with our friends.

The highlight of our trip was our first ever class photo!!  This is one we will treasure forever.

The we went on a real hayride and the farmer driving the tractor was dancing for us!!!  It sure was a party!!

We explored the farm and all the cool things that were hiding right before our eyes....

Then it was time to pick some pumpkins!!

The we headed back into the wagon and saw even more familiar characters on our way back to the barn...

We even saw the 3 Little Piggies....

Such a great day at Westhaven Farm 🎃