Blog Post #1,000 - Week of May 18th

“There is no greater disability in society than the inability to see a person as more.” ~Robert M. Hensel

Temple Grandin is quoted as saying, “I am different, not less.”  It is a lasting reminder that we continuously learn from each other.  

Cam faces daily challenges, obstacles and roadblocks.  

He has chosen positivity (for the most part) and does show us that you can always look at things from another perspective and through a different lens.

Because of his perseverance and that "can-do" attitude, his mom committed to posting his blog every week and suddenly, we made it to Blog #1,000!! 🥳🎉To celebrate Cam's graduation, Jane created a book filled with the words of family, close friends and teachers.  The words describe when they first met Cam and how he has influenced their lives.  And of course, each entry featured pictures of the folks providing the written input.  Over 80 pages fill the keepsake.  Cam is humble and was quite overwhelmed by the book's content.  

Cameron's school program allows him to finish out the school year if he chooses.  So, this week he continued his 6am wake up call to make the bus pick up each morning.  Sometimes, the deer pause their morning breakfast to watch us make our way down the driveway.

Wednesday evening we were invited to Brody's birthday dinner at a nearby restaurant.  We were stopped in our effort due to a dire message on the screen of the Cam Van alerting us that there was an issue.  Erring on the side of caution, we abandoned our plans.  When Chris started checking under the hood (thanks to Mr. Nick, Amanda's husband) he was surprised to find a nest of some sort and a chewed up wire.  We have no idea how much money was saved by Cam's dad playing mechanic but we were so thrilled he was able to fix it!

With the early Memorial Day weekend, school was not in session on Friday and Jane took a day off of work.  Cam was scheduled to work at GVSU with the graduate PT students.  

Professor Dr. Lisa always tells her students that Cam is one of the best teachers she's ever known.  

Following his sessions with the students, Jane and her son were interviewed by a pre-med student who wanted to practice talking to families and gathering information.
Many of the physical therapists who were there overseeing the students are long graduated and work in the community.  Many have known Cam for quite a few years and cannot believe he graduated high school!

Saturday morning, we were trekking north to pick up Oma and head to the cottage.  There was a brisk wind and the weather did not look promising, but we had committed to spending one night at the big lake.

We brought a giant Yahtzee game found at Costco. It was so much fun to play the oversized family favorite!  Cam was the only one of us to get a Yahtzee and somehow Oma still managed to win!

It was nice enough outside for our foursome to enjoy dinner on the deck.

The sunset tried valiantly to peek through the horizon.

We drove back home in the rain on Sunday.  Cam had been invited to the grad party of his longtime school friend, Tiana.  Her plans to have an outdoor gathering were changed due to the buckets of rain coming down.  There wasn't a good way for Cam to make it inside her home so Tiana ran out to see her buddy.

Later that same day in the early evening, the sun blanketed our backyard.

A neighborhood creature appeared on our grass just looking to soak up the warmth.

The fox is a rare sighting for us.  

Summer is coming and we are starting to feel the change that will bring us more consistent sunshine.

Cam asked his mom how many more blog entries she will write.  Her response: "It turns out people want to know what you're doing, so at this time, there is no expiration date."

Camology Quotes:

Cam's use of the English language does take us by surprise. It's not the complicated words that he'll sometimes use. It's more of the way he speaks, like an old soul.  When discussing a documentary on tv, he indicated:

"Funny enough, I didn't even know that!'

Grandmas and Graduation! - Week of May 11th

“A grandma is warm hugs and sweet memories. She remembers all of your accomplishments and forgets all of your mistakes.” ~Barbara Cage

When Cameron entered kindergarten, we remember people saying "it will go by in the blink of an eye" and "you won't believe how quickly it will pass" along with other time-sensitive phrases.  Somehow you think it will be different for you...but it definitely follows the same path.

Late Monday evening, we welcomed Grandam Sue from Arizona.  Auntie Karen was also with us Monday night after traveling from Canada.  Tuesday morning, Cam said goodbye to Auntie Karen as she continued her journey home to Illinois.  It was such fun to have her with us.

Tuesday's activities were another rite of passage for our senior.  The morning started with the "Passing of the Light" ceremony at the high school.  During this assembly, the seniors "pass a light" (battery-operated candle) to a junior signifying their end of schooling and the continuing journey of the junior student.  Cameron passed his light to his buddy, Liam.  The two have been friends since preschool and drive the same model of power wheelchair!

Following a luncheon just for the 12th graders, the FHN seniors were destined for their elementary schools to take part in a traditional stroll through the buildings.  Cam saw so many teachers, aides and therapists as well as his former principal!  Pictured with him are Ms. Barbara, Ms. Kris, Ms. Ginny and Ms. Kate.  Each of them has special memories of Cam.

Tuesday evening our home was full of hugs and laughter with two grandmas staying with us for the remainder of the week!

Wednesday was the reason for Grandma Sue and Oma to be present.  The day of Cam's high school graduation had arrived!  In the morning, Chris drove his son over to Calvin University for the 9am rehearsal.  Auntie Jo, Cam's godmother, had a special delivery dropped off- a 2026 grad sign, two fresh fruit bowls and a large package of Reese's chocolates (known as her godson's favorite).  Upon return from rehearsal, Cam opened a graduation gift from his great-grandma Mary (Chris's grandma).  A beautiful sterling silver seagull mobile now hangs by Cam's desk as a reminder of his great grandma and her love of unique art.  

Following an early dinner, we were off to Calvin University for the graduation ceremony.  Calvin U. is Jane's alma mater so it was pretty special to have it held in the same place as her college graduation.

Ms. Festian (an incredible friend and former aide to Cam) was backstage with him and grabbed a sweet selfie.  We were very impressed that the faculty, staff and students of the 290-person graduating class completed the entire program in just 90 minutes.  Pictures were captured of Ms. Ann, Auntie Joe and the grandmas.  We thanked them so much for coming and sharing in the festivities.

Our proud graduate navigated the long ramp to the stage like a pro.  It was fun to see fellow classmates find him after the ceremony.  His teacher, Miss K. was seated close to Cam and managed to grab a great picture of the two of them.
The jammed parking lot took quite some time to exit and make our way home.  

We all slept in the next morning.

Since Cam's parents had the week off of work, we maximized our time with two grandmas.  After a leisurely morning and hearty lunch, our destination was the Frederik Meijer Gardens.  

The Chihuly outdoor exhibit as well as the famous American Horse sculpture were our two must-see art renditions.  For the first time ever, we all boarded the tram to be driven around the expansive collection.  We were a bit apprehensive about the allowance for Cam's chair, but the built-in ramp accommodated the power wheelchair without any issues.  Cam claimed the red fireworks glass his favorite Chihuly piece and requested his picture in front of it.

Dale Chihuly is an American artist who transforms spaces with experiments in color, light, transparency, and form. He is known for his exhibitions and large-scale architectural installations around the world and for revolutionizing the studio glass movement. Chihuly works with a variety of media including glass, paint, charcoal, neon, ice, and Polyvitro, and his work is included in more than 200 museum collections worldwide, including Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Corning Museum of Glass. 

After exiting from the tram, we were on our way to The American Horse.  There are 3 horse sculptures of varying sizes.  Sculptor Nina Akamu finds inspiration in her international upbringing and lifelong love of animals, establishing her as a renowned animalier. Her monumental The American Horse was based on a design by Leonardo da Vinci, originally created for the Duke of Milan in the late 15th century. Akamu also drew on her own equestrian experience to render and capture the anatomy and movement of this muscular war horse. Championing this grand project in the late 1990s, Frederik Meijer commissioned two casts of the 24-foot monument—one for Meijer Gardens and one for the city of Milan, Italy.  It is incredible to see and be dwarfed by the enormous horse.  Chris made us all laugh when he pretended to hold up the hoof of the horse. 😁

Friday evening was our celebratory fish fry!  Cam loves walleye and Chris had frozen fresh fillets from his last fishing trip to the Detroit River.  It was Grandma Sue's last evening with us and we all declared the tasty meal our most favorite of the week.

After many hugs and packing Grandma Sue's lunch of a walleye fish sandwich, she was off to the airport to head home to Arizona.

Meanwhile, Chris and Cam were on their way to the ballfield where Chris was filling in for Coach Mark.  Jane and Oma arrived to cheer them both on for the WMML game.  Additionally, Ms. Kathy and her husband Kevin were there to support Cam and Brody, her 2nd-4th grade students!  It is always a treat to see those people who have impacted the guys and likewise, Kathy refers to her favorite former students as "her kids" and loves seeing them play baseball.  She's never missed a season and her former students always light up when they see her!

We rounded out the weekend playing games, watching movies and spending time together.
A family fave is Uno Flip which seems to catch the player off-guard by an entire flipping of each hand to reveal a new set of numbers and colors to choose from.  Just as someone thinks they might win, you could be drawing ten cards in the blink of an eye.  Cam's curved card holder that he and his dad created with the 3D printer is perfect for holding the potential large amount of cards.

The week was a whirlwind and seemed to be over as quickly as it had started.  We were blessed to share Cam's graduation memories with two grandmas and close friends.  As parents, Cameron Jackson made us so proud!  It was such a happy occasion and definitely also filled with another emotion, relief! 

Close-up grad pic sent from teacher

Camology Quotes:

At the graduation rehearsal, Brody's mom, Jenny, and Chris were there with Cam and Brody.  Always wanting things to follow the rules, Cam remarked to Jenny:"Not to be mean Miss Jenny, but where is an administrator?!"

Making Mom's Day - Week of May 4th

“If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?” ~Milton Berle

Mother's Day is said to have been founded by Anna Jarvis who wanted to honor her mother's life and work after her mother's death in 1905.  She organized the first mother's day celebration in West Virginia in 1908.  Her vision was that it would be a personal day of appreciation with families expressing love through letters and time together.  In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May as the national Mother's Day holiday.

Cam was ready for his second WMML baseball game on Saturday.  The 10:30a start time made for a leisurely morning.  It was picture day for the ball players so we needed to arrive a little early.  The women's Hamilton High School softball team were in full force volunteering as the helpers for the day.
The sun was peeking through the clouds during our game.

To our surprise, Uncle Jon and Aunt Betsy arrived with their dog, Blue to represent the Cam Fans!  Blue is such a friendly pet that one of the kids on the other team actually left the field to come and ask if he could meet the sweet dog.

Since the game ended before 11:30a, we thought it would fun to grab lunch at Culver's near the ballfield with out aunt and uncle.  To our great surprise, they had never eaten at a Culver's.  Cam was excited to introduce them to one of his favorite eateries. 

We didn't linger too long at the busy restaurant since we all had afternoon appointments.  Cam was destined for a haircut to be ready for his upcoming high school graduation!  After the trim, Cam told his dad that he wanted to pick up some flowers for his mom at the grocery store next door.  When they arrived back at the homestead, the beautiful plants were waiting on the counter.

Sunday morning, Chris and his son offered to take Jane out to breakfast for Mother's Day.  Cam's mom opted to have the morning meal picked up and brought home instead.  It made for a very relaxing start to the day.

That afternoon, father and son rebuilt a laptop for our neighbor while Jane relaxed.

Cameron wished his mom a Happy Mother's Day first thing in the a.m.  As she has often told her son, the only reason she can answer to the call of "mom" is because of him.  

And with every thanks that he utters and nice things he says, it definitely makes the most important job in the world one of gratefulness and gratitude.

Camology Quotes:

Cam's kindness shines through every day.  On Mother's Day morning, it sounded especially sweet.

"Happy Mother's Day, Mom!  You are such a great mom to me and I love you."

Spring into Prom - Week of Apr. 27th

“The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” ~Harriet Jacobs

When the blooms start to gradually appear in our yard, the weight of the colder months seem so much lighter.

Cam decided he would attend the FHN Prom with his friend group.  The theme was Red Carpet/Old Hollywood.  The tux he wore for a wedding last summer was the perfect choice!  

Before the evening festivities, though, the start of the 2026 WMML Spring Season was scheduled for Saturday.  

Once again, Coach Mark heads up the team for Cam and Brody and many other friends.

They're playing for the Miami Marlins and we welcomed the 12:30p game time since it was still a bit chilly.

The helpers were from the Allendale Falcons Baseball team.

Upon arrival home, we were destined for a bit of down time.  Cam started getting ready late in the afternoon.  

The evening weather couldn't have been better.  It was sunny and slightly breezy.  It wasn't too warm or too cold.  

We met Cameron's friend group at our local library.  Directly across the adjacent private road was Noto's, the fine dining location for the FHN Prom.

The kids lined up waiting for entry was well over a hundred by the time Cam was at the door before 7p.  While the prom took place, Jane met Brody and Maddison's moms at Cooper's Hawk restaurant nearby.  In the meantime, Chris and Maddison's dad chose another location to hang out.

Jane picked up Cam just before 10pm.  He said the dinner of chicken, pasta and salad was so delicious.  Dessert was a chocolate mousse cupcake and was also praised by the high school senior.  Hanging out with his friends and celebrating on the dance floor made for a memorable night.

After sleeping in on Sunday, Cam and his dad found the Overdrive Tournament location and went to check out the power soccer chairs in action.  Cam was able to see his teammates but wasn't playing in this one.  Later that day, we made the short drive to Thornapple Covenant Church.  The Forest Hills Northern Baccalaureate service was scheduled for 4pm. The FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) often hosts the Baccalaureate as a final celebratory gathering for seniors. Brody, Cam's best bud, had the honor of saying a prayer.  Auntie Jo joined us to celebrate her godson.  

The service included some beautiful singing solos by seniors and prayers for continued success in the next chapter for Cam and his fellow classmates.  As we check off each activity, graduation is now just around the corner!

Camology Quotes:

Seeking justice seems to be one of Cam's passions.  He arrived home from school talking about a distracted driver that almost hit the school bus.

"Mom, you need to call the police and we need Officer Ben from my high school to go find them!"

The Last Time - Week of Apr. 20th

“Everything we do is tinged with the knowledge that this may be the last time that we will do this, and that makes what we’re doing incredibly sweet.” ~John Banville

As Cam's senior year is racing to the finish line, we realized that many of the moments are truly the final opportunity to participate in certain activities.

Tuesday evening marked Cameron's last choir concert.  Mr. Wheaton has been such a true advocate for kids of all abilities.  At the close of the final song, the seniors were asked to gather on one side of the stage.  Each senior received a stuffed graduation bear and Brody received a lion, in honor of his adoration for Lion King.  The two buddies posed in front of the Huskies banner at the high school before heading out.

When Jane attended a board meeting at Renew Mobility, she didn't expect to be given a gift to bring home.  A community member had dropped off portable ramps as a donation.  Renew doesn't stock the ramps, so they insisted we use it if we could.  It is a simple piece of metal that offers accessibility for Cam to areas that he's never been able to access.  For the first time ever, he drove up onto the front porch of our home.  We are humbled and grateful for the unexpected present.

For our Saturday afternoon, we were off to see Ms. Amanda and her family and friends.  A "diaper drop off" open house was held in honor of the upcoming arrival of Amanda and Nick's first daughter.  This was an inaugural type of party for us all.  Cam was happy he was able to attend since Jane had been to two of her baby showers already.

After relaxing at home for a bit, we made our way to Liam's to celebrate his 18th birthday!  Cam has known Liam since preschool.  Liam chose two cakes for his bday dessert- chocolate and tiramisu, both of which came from Costco (one of Cam's favorite cake makers).  The kids all hung out together inside for a bit while Chris and Jane caught up with Liam's parents outside.

Sunday afternoon, the Weatherford family drove to the cottage to check on things and install a ceiling fan in one of the bedrooms.  It was a sunny afternoon but deceivingly chilly in the wind.
The sparkling sun on Lake Michigan had us all thinking about the summer fun yet to come!

Camology Quotes:

We've always known that Cam has excellent hearing. Sometimes his comments sound exactly like a parent.  When he mentioned to Jane that someone was outside because he heard a car door close, she asked him who it was, to which he responded with:

"Mom, I don't have eyes in the back of my head!"

Dinner Togetherness - Week of Apr. 13th

"Friends... are not measured by time, but by the moment they touch your heart." ~Henry David Thoreau

Ralph Waldo Emerson said "the only way to have a friend is to be a friend."  Cam and Brody practice this concept often.  On Tuesday, they had a day off of school due to underclassmen testing.  Brody and his mom arrived once again with lunch for Cam.  We all reviewed graduation party tasks and had fun catching up. 

Tuesday night, there was a bit of excitement when a tornado warning alert appeared on our devices after 10pm. It passed by without any touchdown near us.  Cam didn't even wake up and was quite surprised when the Alexa device announced it the next morning.

Our weekend was filled with friendship goodness and reminiscing.

Neighbors Steve and Patti, along with neighbors Craig and Cara, who still live "close by" all gathered at our home Friday evening.  Originally, our group was destined for a restaurant, but we all felt it was easier (and cheaper) to meet up at our house and share the evening with Cam.

When each pair brings a portion of the meal, it sure makes for simple preparation and delicious food.

Everyone contributed and we all agreed that it was so nice to dine outside and actually be able to hear each other conversations versus a busy restaurant.

We're so connected to these people.  On Saturday, we had the benefit of welcoming two of Steve and Patti's daughters.  First up was Emma who stopped by in the afternoon.  She is heading out on a mission trip in May and wanted to share all of the details.  Emma is like an older sister to Cam.  We have countless pictures and these are just a couple of our favorites along with present day.

Sarah, Emma's older sister, her husband and baby son arrived for an early dinner.  They also had news to share.  In May, they'll be moving east for a camp director job so this was our last chance to gather as a group.

We dined on grilled steaks, roasted potatoes and veggies.  Sarah made a delicious cake with strawberries for dessert.

With many we are so close to, there can be long lapses in between times we see each other.  Oscar Wilde said "Ultimately the bond of all companionship is conversation."  How true it is.

Camology Quotes:

Cam is always observant.  He also calls out an injustice when he sees it. After exiting the van, he noticed that the person next to us had parked over the handicap lines and promptly indicated:

"I think that should be illegal!"

Spring in Your Step - Week of Apr. 6th

"It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart." ~Rainer Maria Rilke

When the seasons change in Michigan, at first, it is subtle.  Small buds appear and nature seems to slowly awakening from its winter slumber.  There is a tree in our backyard that alerts us each year to the true onset of spring.  The weeping cherry only blooms for a few days so if you blink, you may miss it.  

Cam enjoyed spring break this week.  He was able to spend two quality days with Ms. Amanda.

It was also the perfect opportunity for Brody and his mom to come over one afternoon.  We had a group task to complete.  

Cam and Brody have attended school together since kindergarten.  Chris and Jane have explained to their son that it is a rarity to be with the same friends for all twelve years of schooling.  The boys have many friends in common as well as teachers and others in the community.  Our families decided it was a great idea to have a joint graduation party.   

Jane and Jenny (Brody's mom) encouraged their sons to make all of the decisions for the invitation that was created on the Walgreen's photo site.

As an extra bonus, Jenny brought Culver's for both of the boys.
It was a very productive meet-up.  

As a group, we finalized the invitations, created a parking sign and one collage board of photos.

Thursday evening, Chris headed to Detroit for a weekend of walleye fishing with the guys.  

Cam and his mom drove to pick up Oma on Saturday morning.  They had a small list of things to do including a run to Costco and a trip to a shoe store.

The milder weather made outdoor strolls mandatory.  Cam and his grandma went down the long driveway and completed their sweep of the cul-de-sac before heading back to the house.

We found a couple of comedic movies to watch in the comfort of home.  The Guess In 10 game is a family favorite we play to see if the other person can guess which animal is on the card.

Oma was able to chat with her grandson about a graduation gift and together they chose something and placed the order online.  We drove Cam's grandma back to her home Sunday afternoon.  When Jane and son made it back to Grand Rapids, Chris was unpacking his truck and unloading his fish.

Fortunately for the Weatherford fam, we all love fresh fish, especially walleye. 

A delicious fish fry rounded out our Sunday evening and we will be sure to add that meal into regular rotation until our supply is depleted!

Camology Quotes:

One evening, Jane and her son had salads for dinner.  Cam's had cut-up breaded chicken.  Jane decided she would add her cooked salmon (unbreaded) to hers.  After she announced what she was doing, Cam's comment was:

"Ok Mom, I won't judge you."

Take a Seat - Week of Mar. 30th

"A true friend encourages us, comforts us, supports us like a big easy chair." ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr. 

Niels Diffrient is an ergonomics designer and has said, “Why would you design something if it didn’t improve the human condition?”

Providing truly comfortable seating for a wheelchair user is invaluable. For Cam, it's been a six-month wait for his customized cushion.

Using Ride Designs’ process with the Custom Accusoft cushion ensures that seating is built around the individual—not forced to fit them. By first capturing the user’s exact shape with Ride’s bead bag and vacuum tools, then translating that shape into a precise digital model with a state‑of‑the‑art 3D scanner, every contour is preserved for optimal pressure distribution and postural support. 

It seems a bit unbelievable that the appointment for simply replacing a cushion would last two hours.  Once the new seat was in place it meant that all of the other components associated- side laterals, hip guides, foot plates and knee blocks all needed adjusting.  Upon exiting, Cam could already feel a difference in the new and improved comfort.

Oma joined us on Saturday so that we would all be together for Easter. Sunday morning, we attended Thornapple Covenant Church for the beautiful church service.  The trumpet and trombone accompanying the live music were a surprise addition.

Back at home, we finished making deviled eggs and setting out some appetizers.  Our cousins arrived in the early afternoon wearing their Sunday best.  

We were introduced to the EggMazing battery-operated egg decorator.  Coco explained how simple it was to use.  By turning it on, the egg spins and all you do is place the included markers on the egg itself.  The designs come together so quickly!  Cam thought it was one of the coolest things he's seen!  

Our group dined on flank steak, shrimp and ham for our main course, along with scalloped potatoes, vegetables and rolls.  Fresh fruit rounded out the meal.

Easter is one of those moments that gently reminds us what matters most—being together. Sharing a meal, laughter, and familiar traditions with family creates a sense of warmth and gratitude that lingers long after the day is over. In the simplicity of togetherness, Easter becomes less about the schedule and more about the joy of connection, reflection, and making memories with the people we love.

Camology Quotes:

This week, our local cable company removed a channel that mom and son frequently record shows on. Cam has been checking daily and disappointed that there's been no change.  When his dad asked if he thought the channel may be gone for good, his curt reply was:

"I'm afraid so!"