I Belong - Week of Nov. 17th

“Fairness does not mean everyone gets the same.  Fairness means everyone gets what they need.”  ~Rick Riordan

It's tough to feel left out.  At one point or another, each of us has felt that pang of not being included.  

Cam doesn't complain about missing activities but he is aware and it's always noticeable to his parents.

When Brody's mom reached out about the Cross Fit opportunity in Ada, we had high hopes but low expectations.

We were all pleasantly surprised.  Cam attended his second session on Saturday morning with his mom.  Coach Dan and Coach Rick led the exercises.  They are eager to learn about Cam and what regimens they will create for him.

The program is officially called "Ability Athletes" and Cameron is learning about all of the different routines he is capable of.

Every Saturday morning, he is planning to attend this new, inclusive class.

Saturday evening, we had a special dinner planned at El Centenario.  Our friends, Matt and Jill, planned to meet us there for a delicious Mexican meal.

Jane first met them both at Renew Mobility where they are all on the Board of Directors together.

Matt and Jill both drive power wheelchairs similar to Cam's.  Although their stories are all unique, they are bonded by their common daily experience.  Cam looks up to these two adults especially since they live independently and drive their own modified wheelchair minivans.  It is empowering to see.

As we all discussed various topics during our evening meal, we collectively shared lots of laughs about places that 'claim' to be accessible, but in reality, are not.  For Cam, it is the true sense of belonging, specifically because the power wheelchairs outnumbered our group!

Camology Quotes:

Cam was reflecting on the Saturday evening dinner and how accommodating El Centenario was.  He shared this insight that he hopes is widely known:

"You don't have to be walking around to have a group party at your restaurant.  It shows restaurants that they have to accept wheelchair groups!"

Ready for Travel - Week of Nov. 10th

“You are the one that possesses the keys to your being. You carry the passport to your own happiness.” ~Diane von Furstenberg

It is still odd to see Cam's Class of 2026 sign in our yard.  Even our senior has the sense of time speeding up the older you are.

A Veteran's Day assembly was held at the high school.  Since Chris is a former Marine, Cam had the honor of his dad being recognized in front of his peers.

This week, there was a light dusting of snow on the ground as Jane and her son ventured out for the bus one morning.  The 19 degrees felt unbelievably chilly (as Cam's look depicts) and luckily we make our trek to show up exactly as the bus arrives.

We are fortunate to be able to use an app called 'Here Comes the Bus' which shows the location tracking of Cam's daily ride to school.

When the weekend arrived, Cameron was headed to Indian Trails to spend the night with fellow friends.  

He met a new counselor named Caleb and was happy to see a former friend, nurse Jessie.  The group got to know each other and Cam had a positive experience.  He is waitlisted for some other upcoming sessions.

Chris and Jane put away things at the cottage before the real snow season arrives.  We all agreed that it was good to get away from the city and soak up the surrounding nature.

AI generated image
created from a pic of the 
Weatherford Fam!

The most exciting arrival of the week was Cam's passport card. We recently renewed his passport and also requested the small travel card.  He was careful to point out that the picture could not show any of the card details- that's our savvy tech son!

Camology Quotes:

Each evening, Cam enjoys solo time.  With the Alexa devices throughout our home, he simply announces when he's ready for the next task.  Chris took longer than normal to meet up with us, which led his son to interject the following:

"Are you not hearing Alexa announcements because your listening ears weren't on, Dad?!"

Access for All - Week of Nov. 3rd

“Inclusion is not bringing people into what already exists; it is making a new space for everyone.” ~George Dei

Active conversation is a strength for Cameron and he often comments on local news stories and information relayed during the school day.

Cam took a student interest survey at school this week.  These were the results:

• Favorite movie: Out of My Mind
• Favorite book: Out of My Mind
• Favorite Animal: Cat
• Favorite Team: Tigers baseball
• I am really good at: being flexible on the first day
• I want my teacher to know: change makes me anxious
• I like to: help people and learn about me

Chris attended a non-profit fundraiser this week for Disability Advocates.  At the event, everyone was given a decal to place over a handicap button.  Chris couldn't wait to show his son!  Our home push-button operated door is now adorned with an "Access For All" depiction.  At the fundraiser, they explained how they want to take away the hesitancy for people to use an accessible door.  The picture shows someone carrying a heavy package and someone with a stroller- both of which are other advantages of an accessible door.

Saturday evening, Chris and Jane were headed downtown for the evening to attend the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Gala.  The annual occasion is one of the largest functions that Cam's parents attend.  With over 1,300 guests, a video (MFB 2025 WoW moment!) is shown on multiple larger-than-life screens. One of Cam's friends, Dom, stopped to take a picture with us to show Cam.

On Sunday, we had an invitation to meet at the Ada CrossFit facility for a unique reason.  Brody's mom had contacted Jane about an opportunity.  Her former principal was working with the team to create classes for people with different abilities.  They were hosting an open house for special attendees by invite only.

Chris and Cam met the group at 3pm.  Brody and his mom, Jenny, were there along with other people Cam knew.  The large group worked together and separately testing out equipment as the coaches made note of what people were capable of.

Jenny assisted with Cameron's routine.  They put elastic bands around his knee blocks and then he pulled the bands towards his stomach.

He also held small weights and tested out a weighted ball.

Jenny was super excited when Cam told her that they really improvised and it meant more to him than anything he has done and he has never gotten to work out like this!  The classes will officially start in January, but we will head over on Saturdays beginning Nov. 22nd.  Once again, our community is providing an option for people with different abilities and we are grateful for the opportunity!

Camology Quotes:

When Cam arrived home after the CrossFit gym experience, he couldn't wait to tell his mom all about it. After explaining to her all of the different things he tried, he commented:

"Who knew going to the gym could be so impactful?!"

A New Buddy - Week of Oct. 27th

Flowers given by
Sarah's mom, Patti 😊

"So, the first time you hear the concept of Halloween as a kid, your brain can't even process the information. You're like 'What is this? What did you say? Who is giving out candy?...

Everyone we know is giving out candy???...

Yes, I can wear that!" ~Jerry Seinfeld

This week we welcomed houseguests from the state of New York.  They drove across the Canadian border to meet their new grandson/nephew, Gideon. Gideon's parents are Sarah and Johnny and Johnny's family was staying with us until Sunday.

At school, Cam had spirit week for Halloween.  One day was "Anything But a Backpack" and you come to school with your belongings in something else.  We picked a dry cleaning bag and Cam told us it was a big hit.

It was a busy week and fun to have our friends in the lower level of our home.  Wednesday, Cameron was back at power soccer practice in the evening.

Our family was treated to a most delicious homemade dinner made by Vyanna and her boys! 

Each day we found time to connect with everyone and even had some extra time to spend with new buddy, Gideon and his parents.  On Halloween, Cam's parents enjoyed an evening out while Amanda and Cam hung out together.  Not a single trick-or-treater made their way up our long driveway, so we did partake in some leftover candy.

Throughout his life, Cameron has shown us that even though he doesn't have the gift of a sibling, his cousins and friends have always been like brothers and sisters.  

And the more friends that come into our lives, even as adults, feels like our family expanding.

Animation made from 
Google photos

Camology Quotes:

Cameron often gives second chances. However, a local restaurant that used to be a takeout favorite has fallen from his grace.  After seeing a commercial on tv, he commented:

"Qdoba is trying to redeem themselves by having an ad!"

Showing Up and Giving Back - Week of Oct. 20th

"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give." ~Kahlil Gibran

It was a week of events for our Weatherford family.  

On Monday, both Cam and Jane had the day off for Cam's fall break.  Cameron's grandma had planned a surprise for her grandson.  We drove Oma back after eating an early lunch in Grand Rapids.  We arrived back at her Rosy Mound abode at 1pm.  Jane told her son that he needed to help his grandma find an activity she was supposed to attend.  Honey, the therapy dog, was due to arrive and Oma kept the info to herself to surprise Cam!  Honey was surely the smartest therapy dog we've ever met.  She graciously awaited pets from each person and made sure to even circle back if someone was missed.

Wednesday evening, we made our way to the Fowling Warehouse to support Review Mobility.  Jane is on the Board of Directors and the non-profit organization provides mobility equipment to anyone in need.  The yearly fundraiser is Halloween themed and costumes are optional. Brody and his mom met us there to show their support.  Cam's physical therapist from school, Ms. Michelle, made an appearance as well.

Pizza from JTs was served for dinner which was a big bonus for Cam and Brody!  It was fun to see the creative costumes and bid on silent auction items.  The Renew brochure features Cameron's picture so he is usually recognized at the events. With more than 100 people attending, almost $20,000 was raised.

We were back at it again on Friday.  Jane took the day off of work to prepare for the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Treat Pathway. Due to construction for the new pediatric hospital across the street, the parking lot could not support a "trunk or treat" event.  The treat pathway provided a safe and expansive way to provide a Halloween outing for inpatients and outpatients.  41 sponsors signed up to decorate their areas and provide giveaways.  

Jane led the committee for the Mary Free Bed Guild. The Mary Free Bed Guild is a nonprofit organization that has owned Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, since 1891. It focuses on supporting the hospital's mission through a variety of activities, including governance, patient and family advocacy, and fundraising. The Guild is also known for its history of establishing pioneering rehabilitation services and for its scholarship programs for students with disabilities.

Our pathway theme was "The Paparazzi Squad" to make our inpatients and outpatients feel like real celebrities!  Chris, Cam and our buddy, Jake created a tunnel for our celebs to come through.  At the tunnel exit, Jane had a polaroid camera at the ready to take their picture and give them the souvenir print. Other Guild members gave "interviews" for a true celebrity experience and we passed out inflated microphones and candy.  We had multiple families come through a few times! Cam tested out our tunnel and assisted with greeting.  Chris was in charge of the actual tunnel set up.  Cam and his dad made an appearance at the Clock Mobility Trunk or Treat later that evening.  When they returned to assist with teardown, they commented how crowded it was.  We all concluded that the treat pathway was a much easier experience for everyone.

Saturday was a day of rest for us all!

In the early evening on Sunday, we drove over to the Ada Garage Bar and Grill where we met up with a good friend of Cam's and her family.  Madison and her parents joined us for dinner there.  Kelly, Maddie's mom, was asking Cameron if he had a girlfriend at school.  As the probing questions continued, Cam announced to the table... "Talk amongst yourselves!" 

As his parents have always known, Cam is a master deflector 🤣 

Camology Quotes:

Cameron has excellent hearing skills.  At the fundraiser, the microphone wasn't functioning properly.  At one point, Cam asked Ms. Jenny if she knew what the person was saying and she told him she wasn't certain.  His comment to her:

"You know if I can't hear it, no one can!"

Getting Comfortable - Week of Oct. 13th

The dawn of a new day
is filled with hopeful expectations.  

"The art challenges the technology, and the technology inspires the art." ~John Lasseter 

We were excited to begin our week with the announcement of new life, courtesy of our dear family friends. Sarah and Johnny welcomed their first baby boy, Gideon, into the world.  We were happy to have Johnny's mom, Vyanna, stay with us for a few days while she visited.  And in the same week, Sarah's sister Anna and Spencer shared that their second baby girl, Ava was born.

Cameron experienced something new as well on Friday.  We had an appointment at Life Beyond Barriers for the first time.  Even though it was an inaugural visit, we already knew some of the employees there. Our family loves innovation.  Back in July, one of the Life Beyond Barriers physical therapists, Jeremy, talked to Cam at Wheelchair Sports Camp.  He surmised that Cam's seating could be adjusted to fit him better.  After referrals and insurance approvals, we finally had our appointment at Life Beyond Barriers and we were totally impressed.  They use custom-fit seating developed by a company in Colorado called Ride Designs.

Ride Designs was founded by Joe Bieganek and Tom Hetzel in 1998. Bieganek is an orthotist, and Hetzel is a physical therapist, and they established the company based on their expertise from the Aspen Seating Clinic. They adopted the process of using a 3D printer to manufacture its custom wheelchair back supports, which creates more accurate, lightweight, and customizable products. This technology allows Ride Designs to accurately replicate a user's unique body shape and simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for an inner shell, which also makes it easier for clinicians to make in-field adjustments.  Hopefully, Cam will have his high-tech seating before Christmas.

Friday afternoon, Jane picked up Oma for a long weekend since Cam was on fall break Friday and Monday.  Grandma and grandson enjoyed walks in our neighborhood.  One of their favorite games inside is "Name 10" in which you pick a category to say 10 different things. 

Saturday was a rainy day, so we enjoyed some family movies.  Cinderella from 2015 (live action) and Uncle Buck (from the 80s) were two very different flicks, but each one had its own merits and life lessons.

Sunday's weather perked up so Jane, Cam and Oma made their way to Deep Roots Produce.  Deep Roots is a family-owned farm established in 2019.  They expanded in 2023 and have a full-market and petting zoo, free of charge.

Inside the market, Cameron set eyes on the biggest caramel apples he had ever seen!  We made our way around the outdoor area to visit the animals. Pepper the goat was hilarious, standing on top of a crate just waiting for some treats.  Carrots and lettuce were available for purchase inside the store. Before we left Deep Roots, Oma purchased two of the gigantic apples- caramel, peanut butter, chocolate and the other was a classic caramel, chocolate and nuts.  

After a delicious home-cooked meal that evening, the apple treats (compliments of Oma) really hit the spot!

Camology Quotes:

Jane was able to meet our newborn friend, Gideon, on Monday evening.  Chris took this picture of Cam following this exchange between them:

"Mom met him?"

"Yup, are you jealous?"

"Yes, maybe a little bit."

A Feast for Canada - Week of Oct. 6th

"This is the power of gathering: it inspires us, delightfully, to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful: in a word, more alive." ~Alice Waters

After a busy week of school activities for Cam and work meetings for his parents, Friday evening felt like a sigh of relief.

We were all looking forward to the weekend and celebrating a special event with our cousins and close friends on Saturday.  Since two of them are from Canada, we now have an added gathering in October.

Canadian Thanksgiving is different because it is celebrated on the second Monday in October, not November, to coincide with an earlier harvest season due to its northern latitude. 

Its origins are tied to earlier harvest festivals and European explorations, such as Martin Frobisher's 1578 celebration, and it is a standalone holiday without the large shopping events like American Black Friday.

The menu, however, remains basically the same.  The only added item is poutine. Poutine is a Canadian dish originating from Quebec, made of french fries topped with fresh cheese curds and smothered in a hot brown gravy.  Cousin Eric contributed the homemade french fries.  Coco made a delectable sausage stuffing and homemade mashed potatoes, along with the delicious baked turkey and roasted dill carrots. We also had salad and crusty bread. Desserts included our homemade apple pie and pumpkin spice cookies, along with cinnamon vanilla ice cream.

The best part about a get-together is being able to catch up with everyone throughout the day.

Now that the sun sets earlier, we stayed until we glimpsed our famous Lake Michigan sunset dip into the water. 

Sunday was a relaxing day for us and it seems that our friendly backyard deer had the same idea!

Camology Quotes:

During our weekend relaxation, Cam's parents told him they were going to rest for awhile, to which he responded:

"You two deserve that...go ahead."

"Oh well thanks for your permission 😉"

"I was just saying it in general terms, parents!"

A Picture for the Ages - Week of Sept. 29th

"The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been." ~Madeleine L'Engle

We continued to enjoy the most favorable fall weather this week.  More than once, our family commented that it was the perfect weather for the Be Benefit, Lori's Voice Walk, WMML ballgame and Senior Retreat and was such a gift for everyone involved!

The deadline for sending in Cameron's kindergarten and senior pics was fast approaching. We received our official digital prints from the family cottage photo shoot which included Cam's senior picture.  Holly Gauper was our photographer this year and as always, we were most impressed.  The Gaupers (gauperphoto.com) have been a part of this annual family gift for more than a decade!  It seems every year we comment "these are our most favorite ones yet!"

Friday evening, Ms. Amanda arrived to hang out with Cam while his parents had a date night downtown.  For the first time, they played duckpin bowling. Duckpin bowling is a variation of ten-pin bowling that uses smaller pins and a smaller, fingerhole-less ball, requiring players to roll three balls per frame instead of two. Chris and Jane agreed that they will bring their son to check it out some time.  

Saturday morning, we made our way to the final fall game for the West Michigan Miracle League.  Once again, the mild weather was a welcome benefit.

Our Cam Fans were in full force!  

Our longtime, dear friend Stephanie was there to see Cam and Brody.  She's known the boys since grade school and they both adore her immensely.

April arrived with her mom to say hi to her friend and watch the game.  April and Cam have been connected since 2015 due to Halloween wheelchair costumes.

Aunt Betsy and Uncle Jon drove from Grand Haven and brought Oma as well as their sweet dog, Blue.  Chris volunteered with the team since they were short on helpers.  We were thankful to our aunt and uncle for making the early game and for bringing Cam's grandma with them to see the last match of the season.  Medals were presented to each of the players before they left the field.  

Not only did Cameron keep his cool medal, he also kept his Oma with him.  Jane's mom rode with her grandson and family as we had planned an overnight stay. Upon exiting the West Michigan Miracle League field, we made our way to the cottage to check on things there. It was a beautiful windy afternoon.

We traveled back to Grand Rapids before dinner so we could eat at home.  It was movie time in the Weatherford abode and we found a comedy called "Playing With Fire" which was quite hilarious.

On Sunday, Cam and Oma enjoyed an outdoor stroll down the long driveway and our roadway before heading back.

When we were eating our early dinner that evening, we all mentioned what we were thankful for.  At the top of everyone's list was family, friends and good health!

Camology Quotes:

Cam frequently checks his email from his IPad at home.  He mentioned to his mom that he was viewing the school newsletter and then proceeded on an action to the no reply message.

"I accidently responded to this email. Oh well, no harm, no foul!"