And Just Like That...Senior Year - Week of Aug. 18th

"Time flies over us, but leaves it's shadow behind." ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

It is always difficult to say goodbye to our friends we know we won't see for quite some time.  After numerous hugs and a full cooler of snacks from Les and Wes, we were on the road at 6:30am to begin our trek home.  We talked about the week's activities and the awesome wedding during our 11-hour ride.  After a few stops, we arrived home close to 8pm on Monday evening.  We were all tired and thankful that Tuesday was our "recovery" day.

After unpacking, our next task was getting everything ready for school.  Tuesday afternoon, however, we were able to take a break and make it special for Cam.  Our cousins, Kate and Seth stopped in for a short visit as they were en route back to the east coast.  Cam was totally shocked! They came bearing birthday gifts for the 18-year-old: an enormous chocolate bar from Zingerman's, a hat that says 'Life, Liberty, Beaches & Pie' and a famous homemade blueberry pie baked by Seth!  It was a literal sweet surprise.  There never seems to be enough time to catch up, but we were so thankful for the fun visit.

It seems that Cameron entered kindergarten not too long ago. In the blink of an eye, his senior year of high school began on Wednesday.  Thanks to Brody and his mom for picking up the Senior shirt so Cam could wear it on the first day.  His buddies Tiana and Addyson were waiting for him on the bus.

Cam survived the first three days of 12th grade and was ready to sleep in for the weekend.  Saturday was our project/catch up day and Chris officially finished his thesis for his master's degree and uploaded the final documentation!  

On Sunday, we made our way to see cousins, including JJ, Jeffrey, Libby, James and his family, along with Katie and her family.  It was another surprise for Cam to see cousin David, who was in from Texas. Oma met us as well and we were all gathered to surprise cousin James to celebrate his 40th birthday.  A delicious cookout accompanied the festivities as well as more extended family and friends.

We were scheduled to depart before 7p to return home.  With school now in session, Cam is up every morning before 6am.

Our younger cousins pride themselves in knowing all of the intricacies of the safety buckles for Cameron's power wheelchair.  All four waited for their older relative to get in the van before piling in behind him to fasten the hooks into the chair.

After a final safety check, we were ready to make our way back to GR. The cousins, for us all, seem more like siblings.  And their innate ability to make Cam feel part of the gang is an invaluable gift.

Camology Quotes:

During our 11-hour trek from North Carolina back to Grand Rapids, we made a few pit stops. Cam kept us chuckling with his jokes..

"Where is a police officer's favorite place to arrest people?"

------------------------------------"A Rest Stop!"

Welcome to the Magical Mountains & Adulthood - Week of Aug. 11th

"Anticipate the worst, but hope for the best - and sometimes, the best is what shows up." ~Maya Angelou

When traveling with Cam, the mode of travel makes a difference. Air travel is more constrained, so packing is challenging.  Loading various components into a vehicle is much easier.

Monday was a whirlwind, preparing for our road trip to the southeastern part of the country.  Tuesday morning, we were on our way to Lexington, Kentucky, the halfway point to Mills River, North Carolina. We arrived in KY close to 4p at the Embassy Suites we'd reserved. Cam always requests that Jane call ahead of time to confirm, which she had done the previous day. However, our accessible room had some type of hvac leak and was in the process of remediation. The manager told us it may not be ready for a few hours. As weary travelers, we requested accommodations elsewhere, which they eventually found for us.  Accessibility for Cameron is a travel requirement and one that is non-negotiable.  

Wednesday morning, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast and started out to our final destination, which is just 25 minutes south of Asheville, NC.  

Upon arrival to Auntie Leslie and Uncle Wes' home in Mills River, the first thing we saw was the personalized parking sign they had made especially for Cam!  Leslie and Jane's close friendship began 46 years ago and their families are intertwined.  

The expansive property that Leslie and Wes live on feels like a mountain retreat. They graciously provided us the entire lower level of their home which includes two guestrooms and a full bath. This was the first time we were able to stay at someone's home while traveling with Cam! Our visit was marking a very special occasion.  Leslie's youngest daughter, Ali, was marrying her longtime beau, Daree.  The first of many events was scheduled Wednesday evening.

After unpacking and relaxing for a bit, we made our way to Asheville, where Leslie's mom lives. She was hosting a welcome party for family and a few friends. We were honored to be included.  After a relaxing buffet catered dinner, there was a surprise birthday cake.  Leslie's niece and nephew (the twins) had recently celebrated a bday and everyone knew that Cam would be in NC for his special day.  The cake had the twins and Cam's names on it!

Thursday, we lounged around outside, soaking up the incredible views. Leslie and Wes adopted brother kittens a few months ago that they named Earl and Sterling, due to their gray coloring. The kitties were fun entertainment and play outside during the daytime. The wedding rehearsal took place late in the afternoon, so we were on our own for dinner.  

There was a nearby local restaurant with an expansive menu right in Mills River.  Chris and Jane were shocked to see a full salad bar, something that has nearly disappeared since the pandemic. Following dinner, we stopped at a local brewery.  Cam was convinced he was not allowed inside. Jane showed him the website for Mills River Brewing Company which indicated it was kid and dog friendly. He was still slightly unsure until upon arrival, we were greeted by two different dogs when entering!

Friday was split into two activities...girls attended a bridal luncheon in Ali's honor (we all saw a bear on the adjacent Biltmore golf course) while the boys explored the Blue Ridge Parkway to see more of the mountains.  We all convened at Highland Brewing Co. that evening where the bride and groom were hosting a welcome party for all of their wedding guests!  The outdoor area featured four different food trucks to choose from.

Saturday was the big event!  Besides the Weatherford family, Les and Wes were also hosting friends Lori and Kelly and Rob. It was a bonus to get to know each other.  

At different times in the afternoon, we made our way to the Biltmore Forest Country Club in Asheville.  Chris and Cam looked so handsome in their tuxedos.  The tented outdoor area made for a beautiful setting for the wedding.  Ali and Daree looked incredible and spoke about each other so lovingly.  During their words, Ali quoted "Andy" from The Office who said "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good days before you've actually left them" and relayed that these are those good days, with many more to come.

Following the ceremony, there was an immense downpour of rain with some thunder and lightning added in which was actually exciting. The rain subsided and following a most delicious food station menu (Cam's favorite was the mac-n-cheese bar), the dancing began.

One of the flower girls, Ellie (Leslie's niece and a twin) walked right over to Cam and began dancing with him. No one asked her to do that and it was a very special moment to witness.  Cameron remained on the dance floor most of the evening, thanks to its accessibility.  Mr. and Mrs. Wynn (aka Ali and Daree) joined in the festivities with everyone. What a memorable evening!

Sunday, August 17 marked Cameron's 18th birthday!! 

After a few morning presents from his parents and Auntie Leslie and Uncle Wes, we all enjoyed some hot tub time!  It was a great way for Cam to relax his tight muscles.  

Late in the afternoon, we made our way to Sierra Nevada for Cameron's official bday dinner.  We were shocked to see the newlyweds join us, along with Leslie's daughter Erin and her boyfriend Austin, her mom, Linda, one of her sister's, Lauren and cousins. In addition to Les and Wes, friends Kelly and Rob were present too.  

Ali and Daree gave Cam 3 lottery tickets.  With his dad's assistance, Cam completed scratching off the coverings. Unbelievably, one of the tickets was worth $100!!!!!!  We were all astounded!  Leslie's kids ordered Cam a s'mores brownie sundae which was most scrumptious.  Sierra Nevada scores big points for accessibility with the first-ever accessible bar counter Cameron (and his parents) has ever seen.  After dinner, we lounged outdoors chatting about the wedding and the couple's upcoming honeymoon. Following the festive outing, Ali and Daree decided to drive back to Wes and Leslie's home to continue the fun.  They cashed out the lotto ticket on the way there and gave Cam a $100 bill!  Jane and Leslie had conspired earlier and some Cold Stone creamery desserts awaited our crew.  It was quite the memorable birthday for Cam even though he wasn't in his home state.  Our friends made it more special than we could have imagined and gifted Cam with some Sierra Nevada gear.

One of Cam's gifts from his parents was a cozy blanket which reads "Your childhood has officially expired. You are now a certified responsible adult." We all had a good laugh over that one since Cam is so responsible already.

Chris and Jane fully stand behind the sentiment on the t-shirt they also gave him: "Awesome since 2007!"

Camology Quotes:

We were all a bit nervous to stay in a home we hadn't been in with Cam before. After arriving in the kitchen after our first night there, Cam declared:

"This is the most accessible house I have been in without it trying to be accessible!"

Soaking Up Summer - Week of Aug. 4th

"Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." ~Henry James

Somehow it seems our favorite season has just begun and now we're already in the month of August!

It was a busy week for Cam.  Ms. Amanda was dog-sitting a puppy named Toast so they stopped in to visit.  We are very thankful for Amanda's fun outings with Cameron.  He doesn't need supervision, but while his parents work, it's definitely more enjoyable to be doing things and exploring new activities.

Most mornings, Cam and Amanda take a long stroll through one of our local parks.  Some days, it has been too humid so when they are able to take advantage, it's a treat.

On Wednesday, our dear friend, Mary Jo popped over after work to see her buddy, Cam.  She knew he would not be in town for his birthday this year.  Mary Jo has hung out with Cameron over the years since her mom was one of his aides in grade school.  He opened a huge pack of Reese's and a hilarious t-shirt that reads "Adulting...18%"

Thursday evening, we were headed to Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park for a family event.  Fishbeck, where Chris is the IT Director, hosts an employee summer outing every year.  This marked the first time they had rented out the entire park space!  

Every time we have visited, it's typically very crowded.  It was such a treat to be able to move around easily.  Each family was given food cups in the form of carrots and lettuce to feed the animals.  Cam really likes the giraffes because they bend their long necks to reach him.  Dinner was available and everyone strolled around on their own visiting all of the areas.  It was a warm summer evening and a creative way to bring employees and their families together.

Friday evening, Cam and Ms. Amanda watched a movie while his parents celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary a day early by going out to dinner.

Saturday morning, we welcomed some very special visitors.  Jane's family has been connected with the Hueys since before she was born. Cam's mom was a nanny for many summers for their families.  Caroline was headed to the airport and luckily we live close by!  We try to visit them every summer at Stony Lake and this time, they came to our home.

In the afternoon, we made our way to the cottage to have a beach day with cousins and share dinner together.  Oma met us there and cousin Max's mom was visiting too.  The wind was so strong that we had a tough time with the beach tent.  It was the perfect evening for an outside meal and Max cooked duck meat on the smoker while Coco whipped up the most delicious deviled smoked duck eggs.  We brought some of Chris' Canadian walleye that we still had and it was a veritable feast!

Summer goes by much too quickly in the state of Michigan. Even though we know we're in the home stretch, we are living in the moment and soaking it all in.

Camology Quotes:

Chris and Cam were experimenting with some different AI tools. They uploaded all of Cam's blogs into one and it created a summary podcast! We were all pretty impressed.  Even Cam commented: 

"I admit, I was skeptical at first!"

A Good Sport - Week of July 28th

"It's not what happens to you, it's what you do about it." ~Bob Bardwell, Founder of National Wheelchair Sports Camp

For the third year in a row, Cam was off to sports camp.  

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital offers this daytime camp to wheelchair users for five consecutive days.  Participants try out 11 different sports! 

The camp is part of the Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports Program, one of the largest in the U.S., serving over 1,700 youth and adults annually.

Grand Valley State University hosts the campers and multiple volunteers including MFB nurses, coaches and staff.  Cameron was happy to see familiar friends and staff he knew from the previous years.

The participants are divided into 3 groups according to age.  Each group has a set schedule of sports activities for each day. The different sports highlighted are: - Basketball - Tennis - Handcycling - Softball - Sled hockey - Lacrosse - Kayaking - Dodgeball - Frisbee golf - Football - Team handball. 

Cam was so proud when the staff saw how well he was able to hold a racket this year in comparison to previous years.  

Even though our camper was having a good week, Chris and Jane were doubtful that the group would be able to convince their son to go kayaking.  Cam has had some tough experiences in the past.  The team working with him persevered and he loved the water outing multiple times. 

When the last day of camp arrived, it was bittersweet.  The time went by so quickly and Cam seemed much more confident about his skill sets.  We also heard a few staff members tell him that he should work at Mary Free Bed in the future, so those were interactions were fun to be a part of!

We had a surprise visit from our good friend, Ms. Michelle, who was in town visiting her family.  She used to be one of Cam's caregivers and now lives in Florida.  Cam was so excited to see her as these two have a lifelong connection. Our photo app made a comparison of a picture taken in 2019 at Christmastime to the current one.

Saturday was spent lakeside with Oma, cousins and friends.  The water was a bit too chilly to swim so we enjoyed the sunshine.

We had a delicious outdoor barbeque feast.The little relatives always help Cam get buckled in for our ride home.  

Sunday home projects kept us busy and Chris and Jane attended their last outdoor concert of the season at Fredrick Meijer Gardens.  We told Cam we would definitely take him next year since he knows more of the groups and the music.  The biggest bonus is that they have excellent accessible seating areas!

Camology Quotes:

We were asked to provide a parent commentary for MFB Wheelchair Sport Camp.

"Our son attended his 3rd weeklong wheelchair sports day camp with Mary Free Bed—and we couldn’t be more proud. Watching him dive into adaptive athletics with courage, joy, and determination is a reminder that ability isn’t defined by limits, but by spirit. 

As his parents, this camp is more than just a week of activities. It’s a glimpse into a world where inclusion is real, where ability is celebrated, and where our son is seen not for his limitations, but for his potential. It’s a place where he’s not the exception—he’s part of the team. He is seeing others with similar abilities and for once, is a part of the majority. We’ve spent years advocating, adapting, and imagining what independence and joy could look like for him. This camp brings those dreams to life. Watching him connect with other athletes, push his boundaries, and laugh with confidence—it’s the kind of moment that fills your heart and steadies your hope. 

Cerebral palsy may shape how he moves through the world, but it doesn’t shape who he is: a teenager full of grit, laughter, and quiet strength. At camp, he’s not just participating—he’s thriving. He’s connecting with peers, discovering new skills, and proving that inclusion isn’t just a concept—it’s a lived experience. To the coaches, volunteers, and staff at Mary Free Bed: thank you for creating a space where every athlete is seen, celebrated, and empowered. You’re not just teaching sports—you’re building confidence, community, and hope. And to our son: keep rolling forward. Your journey inspires us every day. "

Saucy Apples - Week of July 21st

"When life gives you apples, make applesauce." ~Beverly R. Green

Cam is a fan of traditions.  When Jane was little, she helped her grandma make applesauce and then when she was older, she assisted her mom.  Jane's mom, Cam's Oma, has now passed the efforts to our family.

There is a certain apple that, from our perspective, is superior for making apple pies and sauce.  It is the apple most used by Oma's mom in northern Indiana and Michigan called "early transparent."  There are only a couple of local orchards that we've found that grow this special fruit.  Fortunately for us, Miss Amanda knows the people who own one of them.  She and Cam went to pick up a bushel on Monday.

The Early Transparent Apple, more commonly known as the White Transparent or Yellow Transparent, has a fascinating heritage rooted in Eastern Europe and cherished across generations for its early ripening and culinary versatility.  It was discovered around 1850 in Latvia, as a chance seedling at the Wagner nursery.  It was introduced in North America in 1870.  It's one of the earliest apples of the season, often ready by mid-July.  It is best used for cooking rather than eating because of its creamy puree texture. The process is a bit arduous, but the chinois strainer makes the job easier since you don't have to peel or even fully core the apples.  Our kitchen turned into an applesauce-making assembly line.

During the week, Chris and Cam made their way to Kyle's house to pick up the Mary Free Bed Wheelchair Power Soccer Champions t-shirts!

The weather has been extra warm and humid in Michigan this week.  We headed to the cottage on Sunday to see Auntie Karen and her sister, Sue, along with Oma.  

Lake Michigan was the perfect temperature for swimming so Cam and his dad made quite a few trips in to cool off.

We all relaxed by the water.  The outside temp was actually 89 degrees at the beach, which doesn't happen too often.

The sun shone brightly all afternoon without a cloud in the sky!

For dinner, we joined forces by combining our offerings and ate on the cottage deck.  The different brat varieties from Mac's Meats provided by Auntie Karen and Sue were most delicious.  If you're ever near Rothbury, we highly recommend the blueberry brats and pizza brats.  Even though the flavors sound strange, they were incredibly tasty.  

Our time together was too short.  

We did, however, manage to share one of the best beach days of the summer!

Upon return home, we were greeted by our neighborhood wildlife.  The fawns are quite adventurous while the baby turkeys stay close to their parent.

Our son was happy to be closer to his bed after spending the day at the lake and his parents welcomed slumber as well!

Camology Quotes:

Cameron is very time-conscious. He always wants to arrive early.  To ensure an on-time departure, he now sets alarms in his mom's office.  He figured out how to do this by using Alexa and saying something like "Alexa, set an alarm for 2:15p today on Jane's office."

A Cause for Celebration - Week of July 14th

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." ~Winston Churchill

Cameron's parents didn't know much about the non-profit world before he was born.  Thanks to their son, they currently serve on multiple boards and together, they work to bring awareness to local community organizations.

Cam and Ms. Amanda stayed busy this week, enjoying daily strolls (when it wasn't 80 degrees by 9am!) at our local park.  The two visited a few stores for errands and did some baking.

On Friday, Cameron was scheduled to work at Grand Valley State University with the PT graduate students.  Two sessions were held back to back.  Cam teaches the students how to assist with transfers, the different tone in his muscles, and his skills.  He makes certain to follow all safety precautions.  The professors and assistants always comment about how patient and thorough he is!  As an added bonus, he also saw one of his friends, Onji, who was working with a different group.

Friday evening, our family hosted a Renew Mobility celebration, in honor of the incredible work the staff and volunteers have accomplished in 2025.  Renew Mobility's mission is to enhance independence through access to mobility equipment. As a non-profit, Renew's vision is to become the central hub of West Michigan for the for recycling, distributing, and maintaining mobility equipment for those in need. 

We welcomed close to 30 people in our backyard.  We couldn't have asked for better weather- no humidity, a slight breeze and a tranquil evening.  Chris masterfully grilled an array of choices while Jane, Cam and Ms. Amanda, along with some helpers readied the side dishes and drinks. 

Mr. Matt, who is on the board of directors with Cam's mom, brought a gift of thanks and the Renew staff presented us with a hanging flower basket.  We told the group we should make this a yearly summer gathering and everyone agreed.

By Sunday late morning, we had everything cleaned up.  Cam and his mom were ready to head out for their afternoon visit with Oma.  They were on a mission to bring her a "new" used laptop, thanks to Chris.

It didn't take long to ensure the new computer had internet connectivity and was in working order.  We decided to stroll around the Rosy Mound complex outdoors.  

The flowers are vibrant at every turn and we enjoyed quite a few laughs during our visit.  

It is always fun to visit Oma and always a cause for celebration!

Camology Quotes:

It is typical that Cam is solo on his iPad before dinner while Jane is finishing up work in her downstairs office.  He is accustomed to sending voice messages to his mom's phone.  Sometimes, instead of listening to the message, Jane will just walk upstairs to see if he needs anything or has a question. This week, Cam added his own disclaimer at the close of each one.  After making a comment about something or asking a question, he now ends every voice message with the following phrase.

"Mom, I repeat this is not an emergency by any means..."

Memories in the Making - Week of July 7th

“To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater.” ~Bono 

The exact first use of the term “sleepaway camp” in Michigan isn’t clearly documented in public records or historical archives. 

However, the concept of overnight summer camps in Michigan dates back over a century. 

For example: Camp Ohiyesa, operated by the YMCA, has been running since 1919 in Holly, MI. Camp Walden, a traditional sleepaway camp in Cheboygan, was founded in 1959.

Camp Miniwanca, run by the American Youth Foundation, began in the 1920s and has long offered overnight experiences. It is also a camp where Jane' dad was a counselor long before she was born.

The term “sleepaway camp” itself became more commonly used in the 1970s, according to Merriam-Webster, to distinguish overnight camps from day camps. So while Michigan had overnight camps much earlier, the label “sleepaway” likely entered local usage around that time.

When Cam's parents arrived to pick him up from his 5-night sleepaway camp before lunch on Friday, he appeared to be a happy camper!  

During his week at Indian Trails, he told us that he went on scavenger hunts, the adaptive playground, the pontoon and the splash pad.  Cameron purchased a shirt in the camp store.  One of his favorite activities was the dance that took place on Thursday.  Chris and Jane kept themselves busy while Cam was away- Verve Pipe concert, visiting family and friends, seeing the F1 movie and taking Chris out for his birthday dinner. Upon picking up Cam, one of the counselors shared that three girls were surrounding him during the dance event.  

Friday afternoon was relaxing for our family.  We welcomed our dear friends and neighbors for dinner that evening. Ms. Patti and Mr. Steve, Ms. Cara and Mr. Craig joined us for a grilled feast with everyone contributing something different.  We all had our first taste of zucchini tots!

Outdoor and indoor projects filled the weekend.  We were all a bit tuckered out from the week's activities.  Chris had an early morning golf outing on Sunday while Cam and his mom talked about all of the different memories made over the last several days.  And in light of the early mornings at camp, Cameron slept in until almost 9am!

Camology Quotes:

One of the campers in the same cabin as Cam was a fellow baseball player.  Each morning, Cam said Ephram would wake up at 7am and come over to his bed.  Cam said each morning he responded with the same comment (we're certain, in his best 'parental' voice):

"Ephram, you need to go back to bed. It's not time to get up yet."