Gone Boarding - Week of May 22nd

 "Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them." ~Albert Einstein 

When an opportunity arises, it is usually advised to take advantage.  In middle school, Cameron met one of his favorite teachers, Mr. Z.  He taught robotics and always figured out a way for Cam to be included.  Mr. Z. made a move to the high school and became involved in Gone Boarding.  Cam was invited to design and make his own board this week.  We can't wait to see the finished result!

Gone Boarding is a course that was conceived and developed by Bill Curtis and Bruce Macartney, teachers in the Forest Hills Public School's District in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This curriculum includes content for math and VPAA (Visual, Performing, Applied Arts), along with science, art, engineering, business, and an optional PE component. ​  Students in the Gone Boarding class collaborate to design, construct, and learn to ride all types of boards including: surfboards, snowboards, skateboards/longboards, stand-up paddle boards, and wake surfboards. Students also take part in service projects involving the school's district's younger students through a mentoring relationship built around action sports, and partner with the community to make an impact on the world both locally and globally. 

With the holiday weekend upon us, we were excited to have it filled with fun plans.  The weather forecast was also in our favor with sunny, warm temps predicted.  

After an early lunch, we made our way north for cousin time. We spent the afternoon outdoors and in the evening, we drove into Montague for a birthday celebration for our friend, Jude.  North Grove Brewers is a place we hadn't been before and our family was so impressed by its full accessibility, inside and out.  The food was tasty and Molly, one of Jane's dearest friends and Jude's wife, even brought cake to make the evening complete.  Even though we were back on the road later than anticipated, Cam rallied and made it through.

We slept in a bit the next morning and loaded up our van for the trip north once again.  We were excited to see Oma and Opa shortly after noon.  After a tasty brunch as a family, it was time to work on our tasks.  We started with cleaning out some closets with Cam's expert supervision.  With his constant cheering "way to go, Oma" and "great work!" the chore seemed much less tedious and very satisfying.  Our output included two full large garbage bags and a few treasures to keep.

Later in the afternoon, we were invited to our cousin's cottage for dinner together.  Oma and Opa were happy to see the little cousins again and spent some time reading a book to Calla.  Cameron is the "cool" older cousin to the younger set.  Calla even took an extra outing to be certain her cousin Cam knew she was saying bye to him.  After a weekend of family goodness, our drive home recounted everything we had done.  And we were very thankful to have an extra day to sleep in the next morning!

Camology Quotes:

As the end of the school year approaches, it seems there are students who may be too ready for the summer break.  Cam's class had an opportunity to partake in a pizza party on Friday... if appropriate behavior remained in place.  On Thursday evening, Cam wasn't too sure he'd be eating pizza or not. (Good news- they did!)

"I don't know if my class will make it.  They have to own it."

Road Trips - Week of May 15th

“In life, it’s not where you go – it’s who you travel with.” ~Charles M. Schulz

Before our on the move weekend began, we had in-town ventures on the list.  

Renew Mobility held their annual spring luncheon to raise awareness for this important non-profit.

Last year, we took Cam out of school to attend the event because he and his mom were the guest speakers. Even though he wanted to go again, we explained that it was truly more important for him to remain in school since it's so close to the end of the semester.  Jane and Chris both attended and did recognize a picture that was shown on the big screen.

In our backyard, Cameron and his mom marked Stella's spot with a keepsake stone.  

They talked about how much they miss their cat and the many laughs and good memories she brought to their family.  Cam did ask about the possibility of adopting another feline.  We decided that decision will be made after summer due to the many different house guests headed our way.

Road tripping began Saturday morning with two Weatherford vehicles headed to the WMML baseball game.  The Rockford field was chilly and breezy but the cooler conditions didn't deter the players at all!  And to warm everyone up, we all sang Happy Birthday to Brody, Cam's best buddy who turned 16.  The fans in attendance included almost every single one of Cam and Brody's teachers since kindergarten!  Ms. Barbara, Ms. Kathy, Mrs. Wells and Mrs. A. Klein.  It was completely random that they all happened to show up for the same game.  These women have all assisted with much more than Cameron's education.  Each has taken it upon themselves to help with other aspects of growing up.

After the game, Jane went to Anna's baby shower, while Chris and son went home to make some tasty treats for the next travel stop.

Cam and his parents loaded up their van again, this time packed with fresh watermelon, brownie cookies and some appetizers.  The cousins awaited our arrival.  Cameron brought his high school yearbook which we all determined was the heaviest memento of its kind we'd ever seen.
Calla was intrigued by the mechanical features of her cousin's power wheelchair.  He was showing her how he could lean back and be in a standing mode.  She seemed a bit concerned about Cameron and tried to stop the mechanism a couple of times.  This really made Cam laugh!  We headed back that evening after dinner and dessert.

Sunday morning, we were on the road again headed south to Stevensville.  We had planned to meet up with Auntie Karen and her sister, Sue.  Cracker Barrel was our chosen destination and each of us ordered some type of breakfast.  Before we traveled back to the highway, Cam received a new cool chair float from Karen which he cannot wait to use this summer.

Later that afternoon, we worked on projects and Cameron was enlisted for a weekly chore.  Driving a power wheelchair has its advantages and one of the biggest may be the ability to transport even the heaviest of items.  However, taking a corner too fast may mean that the load you're transporting doesn't quite make it to its destination without a mishap!

Camology Quotes:

Friday afternoon, Cameron was scheduled to work with the Grand Valley State University PT graduate students.  It is a job he takes seriously and he is paid for his time.  Typically, there are 4 students assigned to work with Cam.  Three of them were asking him questions while the other student was interviewing Jane about her son's birth, milestones and schooling.  Jane was responding very quietly so as not to disrupt the team and their efforts.  One of the questions that was asked was regarding Cam's hearing and if there was any concerns.

Jane (in a low whisper): "Any concerns? Yes. Cam's hearing is too good.  He hears everything, especially when he's not supposed to."

"I heard that, Mom!"

Blooming - Week of May 8th

"Happiness held is the seed; happiness shared is the flower." ~John Harrigan

In Michigan, after we officially welcome Spring, it almost seems like overnight, the buds appear on the trees.  Suddenly, the leaves and blossoms show off their vibrant hues and pretty flowers.  As everything continues to bloom, we see growth in other ways too.

Cameron is working with his school PT to figure out the best way to potentially "see" behind him.  While driving his power chair, he often feels startled by something happening out of his purview.  Another one of Cam's physical therapy goals is to be able to reach accessible buttons by maneuvering his chair to provide the best position to be able to successfully reach.  His goal is also being worked on outside of school.  At home, in a small area, he has mastered opening the door to the garage so he can exit himself without asking for assistance.  Even though we don't have a handicap button on our home entry, Cam was still determined to figure out how to make it work.

At times, growing can be recognized by emotional maturity. We shared some sad news about a family friend's passing with Cameron before the weekend.  He commented that it was sad and then asked his mom, "Tell me about your favorite memories of her."

Saturday's agenda was pretty packed.  Although the rain was sputtering in the morning, the WMML teams still played ball.  Volunteers from Rockford and Holland high schools filled up the field.  Our Cam Fans, Ms. Kris and Mary Jo, made their second appearance for a game this season.  Cam and his best bud, Brody had a mini photo opp too.

After lunch, Cameron and his dad sat in Jude's barbershop where they simultaneously receive their haircuts.  In the late afternoon, the sun was shining and we ventured to Spring Lake.  To celebrate Mother's Day with Oma and Opa, we had secured reservations at The Village Baker.  None of us had dined there previously, so we were all excited to try a new spot.  We had an exceptional waitress who offered up good suggestions for appetizers and dinners.  After our delicious, relaxing meal, we moseyed on over to the bakery area.  Chris and Cam chose a loaf of homemade bread, cookies and oatmeal.  

Oma and Jane exchanged Mother's Day gifts before we said our goodbyes.  A beautiful hanging flowering plant made its way back to Grand Rapids, thanks to Oma.

Sunday morning, our family headed out for a Mother's Day breakfast at Sundance restaurant.  We all ordered something different and our favorite morning meal spot delivered.  On the way out, Jane was asked to pick out a carnation for her special day.  Cam requested a relaxing afternoon for his mom which she readily complied with.  He insisted she take a nap and she told her son that it was the best Mother's Day present any mom could ask for!

Camology Quotes:

At school, Cam picked out the saying he wanted to give his mom on Sunday.  The picture he chose "I couldn't have wished for a better mom" was very special for Jane.  He also went shopping with his dad and picked out two scented candles.  As his mom opened the first one, Cam excitedly exclaimed:

"Mom, it was buy one, get one for free!"

Distractions - Week of May 1st

“Love is really the only thing we can possess, keep with us, and take with us.”  ~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

This week, we needed distractions and thankfully, the activities delivered just that.

Cam wasn't certain he would be up for going to school on Monday, but a field trip was planned and we encouraged him to attend.  When he arrived home from school, he indicated he was glad he went.

The remainder of the week went by quickly.  Thursday was Cameron's last full day of school since Friday was a professional day for the district teachers.  Jane had scheduled a vacation day so she could spend extra time with her son.  Their day began by taking a trip to Heidi's Farmstand.  Heidi's operates from May 1 - Dec. 24.  Ms. Pat has worked there as long as we've been going, since Cam was 4 or 5 years old.  We always bring her a Christmas card and she has told Cam that she's saved every one of them.  Ms. Pat is always delighted to see her buddy.  We picked up treats to drop off at Brody's Be Cafe and Chris's office.  All recipients were quite excited to receive!

Since it was Cinco de Mayo, we had pre-planned a family dinner at a Mexican restaurant where we could eat outside.  After a busy day of Mom and son projects, Cam told Jane he was tired.  We asked if he would "take one for the team" and sit outside at Lalos for our meal.  He agreed and even though it was crowded, our waiter was someone we knew and it was fun chatting.  The weather was perfect and Cam loved his fajitas. 

Saturday morning, after sleeping in, we geared up for the WMML baseball game scheduled for 11am.  We had to arrive early since it was the official picture day for the players.  After finishing his photo opp, Cam was very surprised to see multiple baseball fans!  Ms. Patti, Cara and her daughter Jenna were the first to show up and then Aunt Betsy and Uncle Jon appeared!  It was a great game.  Even though we didn't see the sunshine, the laughter and smiles from our Cam Fans kept us warm.

Saturday evening, Auntie Jo came over with two hot pizzas and chocolate covered fruit. We were thankful for the relaxing evening and the company.  Sunday, we welcomed our cousins in the afternoon and enjoyed hanging out. We shared our dinner together and they headed back home.  

As a family, we discussed the upcoming week, and each of us indicated we were pretty worn out from an emotional time.  It is always a good reminder to stop and relax when we see the deer doing just that in our backyard.

Camology Quotes:

Thursday evening, we all knew Cam could sleep in the next morning.  Ever the jokester, Chris told his son at bedtime that he heard him say he was getting up early on Friday.  Cam replied emphatically with the following comment:

"That is a total fib! I did not say that."

WMML Spring '23 Opener - Week of Apr. 24th

"Time spent with cats is never wasted." ~Sigmund Freud 

On Tuesday, April 25, we woke up to a light covering of snow on the grass.  Some may think it's a bit shocking, but in Michigan, we are used to the unexpected.  

While heading to the end of the driveway to meet the bus, the deer made their way across our road just in time.

The temps warmed up a bit throughout the week.  By Saturday morning, we were without coats and ready to head out to the WMML (West Michigan Miracle League) baseball field for the first day of the Spring 2023 season!  

Every spring, the WMML coaches choose the minor or major league to assign for their team.  Cam and his best bud, Brody are Tigers this year!  The parking lot was completely full when we arrived.  Since Cameron's game was second and scheduled for 11:05, the weather was a bit milder and we even saw the sun.  Cam was up to bat twice and for the first time ever, he rounded all of the bases without stopping!  The Home Depot volunteers were out in full force and our Cam Fan club consisted of Ms. Coleen from Renew Mobility and Chris and Jane.  It was great to be back on the field once again.  After the game and lunch, Ms. Ann and Cam headed to see Oma and Opa for the afternoon and early evening at Rosy Mound.  It was a wonderful day for everyone 😊

Sunday afternoon, we welcomed Coco, Max, Calla and Arthur for a late lunch.  It was so much fun to spend time with our cousins.  Calla even took a ride on the back of Cameron's chair.  Their time with us was a much-needed distraction.

Our Stella cat of 17 years passed away peacefully in her favorite bed, in her favorite spot Sunday evening after dinner.  She lived a good long life and selfishly, we say she had her best kitty life with us.  

The author, James Herriot is quoted as saying, "Cats are connoisseurs of comfort."  But we believe that Stella was one who gave us comfort.  Stella was born more than a year before Cam.  Chris and Jane were a bit nervous about her reaction when Cameron was brought home from the hospital after his stay in NICU.  Our cat adopted the role of security as Cam's protector.  When we started having babysitters over, Stella was very protective and in fact, held one "hostage" by hissing like a lion.  

We have many funny Stellie stories but we are heartbroken having to say goodbye.  Cam summed it up well..."I miss her so much and I am so sad. I wish I could see her again."  Thank you, Stella Bella, for being the best Cat Cam protector ever!

Camology Quotes:

We didn't know what a tough ending to the week it would be.  Perhaps that is why Cam's sweet comment Tuesday evening was all the more poignant.  During his nightly routine, Cameron was working very hard to assist his parents with his care and commented:

"You deserve a son that is a good helper. "

An Inclusive Impact - Week of Apr. 17th

Cam in 1st grade- R side
of white shirt, Ben

“Each meeting occurs at the precise moment for which it was meant. Usually, when it will have the greatest impact on our lives.” ~Nadia Scrieva

When Cameron attended preschool, we felt protected in a bubble.  The teachers, the therapists and the other parents all felt like one big family.  As kindergarten approached, Chris and Jane were a bit apprehensive.  Cam began his kindergarten year at Meadowbrook Elementary and 

spent his first 5 years of elementary education there.  Cam's parents quickly saw their apprehension and hesitation fade away once their son's formal education began.

During that time, his K-2 teacher, Ms. Barbara, was a founding leader of the LINKS program at the school. LINKS is a peer-to-peer inclusion program where students support a same-aged peer from the cognitively impaired classroom at school. Meadowbrook is also a Unified Champion School.  This is an education and sports-based program that promotes acceptance, respect, and leadership for students of all abilities while creating an inclusive school environment. There are four components: a unified sport, a school-wide campaign to foster diversity and respect for all, a community service project, and a Youth Activation Committee (YAC).

Monday evening, Ms. Barbara asked if our family would attend the Forest Hills School Board meeting at Meadowbrook.  She also requested that Jane say a few words about being a parent of a child who had been a part of the LINKS program.  Even though it had been a long day of work and school and Cam even had swimming and PT, we rallied and made it.  We were so glad we did!  It felt like a reunion seeing former teachers, aides and friends.  Ms. Barbara and the principal gave a short presentation which included quite a few pictures of Cameron and his friends during their time at the elementary school.

Cam was proud to be a part of it all and although his mom could've talked for hours, she only took a few minutes to explain the impact of the program.  Jane also talked about the effect it has had on the community as a whole helping others to understand the importance of inclusion.

Mary Jo, a long time friend and a hang out buddy of Cam's, is now a senior at Grand Valley State University.  We couldn't resist snapping a pic of these two who were all smiles.

Our weather took a cooler turn this week.  At school, Cam and classmates headed to our local minor league baseball game on Wednesday.  One of the teachers sent us the photo of the two mascots hanging out with Cameron.

Ms. Ann has kept up tutoring with Cam, which we are so thankful for.  They also spent extra time together Friday evening so that Chris and Jane could have dinner out. 

The weekend projects were in full force and on Sunday afternoon, we drove north to see our cousins. It had been much too long since we'd seen them and we all agreed that Calla and her baby brother, Arthur, definitely grew in the past few months.  We met their new baby chicks too.

We also brought our leftover Thanksgiving dinner.  We had been attempting to thaw the turkey and all of the fixings a few times before but we'd been delayed for one reason or another.  Our freezer has quite a bit more empty space now. Coco made delicious brownies for dessert and we all agreed that sometimes eating things left over tastes even better than the day you have it.

According to Cam, it is always best to make fresh rolls or biscuits, of course.

We didn't get to see one of those colorful Lake Michigan sunsets, but it's always nice to gaze at the water and dream of summer.

Camology Quotes:

Details are a requirement for Cam as well as advanced planning.  We were talking through one of his upcoming appointments over the weekend.

"O.K. Mom and Dad, let's talk about what our course of action will be."

Wheel Run - Week of Apr. 10th

“The secret to living well and longer is this: eat half, walk double, laugh triple, and love without measure.” ~Tibetan Proverb

This was our first full week back in the swing of things.  We seemed to share the same sentiment as the deer in our backyard...feeling a bit sleepy.  Monday morning was full of lots of yawning in the Weatherford household.  A very curious deer wanted a closer look.

As the weather showed a milder side this week with climbing temperatures, the morning strolls to the end of the driveway felt a lot like Arizona to Cam and his mom.  They also commented how neat it is to see the rising sun and still peek at the moon while heading to the bus stop.

When Friday arrived, we were all ready for the weekend and relaxation.  While Cam's parents enjoyed a dinner out, Ms. Ann and her buddy finished their tutoring and had their evening meal together.  As much as we wanted to sleep in on Saturday, we couldn't linger too long.

We were on our way to the 28th Annual Wheel Run For Everyone 5k to benefit Renew Mobility where participants were encouraged to come out and walk, roll, jog, or wheel.  All the money raised supports the vital mobility equipment program. The Doctorate in Physical Therapy students at GVSU for the past 27 years have been raising to support Renew Mobility!  

Cam is an official Youth Ambassador for Renew Mobility, a local non-profit whose mission is to enhance independence through access to mobility equipment.  They've provided quite a bit of equipment to the Cameron over the years and Jane is on the board of directors.  The executive director requested that the Youth Ambassadors (Cam and Luke) ring the official starting bell for the 5k at the Grand Valley Allendale Campus.  

At exactly 9am, the Youth Ambassadors rang their bells after Ms. Coleen, the executive director, announced the beginning of the race!  Everyone was off for the 3.1 mile run/walk/jog/wheel/drive event.  It was perfect weather with a bit of sunshine, overhead clouds and mild temps in the high 60s.  GV grad students were stationed at about every half mile marker to cheer everyone on!  The milder weather this week prompted some early bloomage on campus.  The entire course was all on wide sidewalks and we told Cam it may have been the longest consecutive drive he has done yet.  After the race, sponsors had set up tables and tasty bagels were available any of the race participants.  Cameron thoroughly enjoyed a cinnamon bagel from Panera. There was also a table set up with the Renew Mobility brochures.  We thought we recognized a pretty cool kid on those cards 😉

The remainder of our weekend was a combo of indoor and outdoor projects.  The riding mower was inspected with a maintenance check completed by father and son.  They also deposited more rocks near the end of the driveway to offset the runoff that keeps happening during excessive rainfall.

One our favorite trees in the backyard showed off its blooms, which only last about a week.  While we reviewed the weekend events on Sunday, even though Cam had to wake up a bit earlier on Saturday, he declared "it was really worth it!"

Camology Quotes:

Jane and her son worked on some indoor projects over the weekend.  We sorted through some old pictures of Chris and his family and read about Grandma Sue's history that she sent us last year.  Now that Cameron is older and we've met all of Chris's siblings, the stories had more relevance.  They also sparked more interest in our son.

"Mom, can we ask Oma and Opa for old pictures and their stories? We should put them all together in a book!"

Family Far and Near - Week of Apr. 3rd

"We didn't realize we were making memories.  We just knew we were having fun." ~AA. Milne

The author of Winnie the Pooh was spot on.  The remaining two days we had in Arizona were definitely fun-filled.  I do believe, though, we all knew it would be memorable.

After the amazing breakfast buffet on Monday morning, Jane wanted to do a bit of shopping in Old Scottsdale.  Much to her surprise, Chris, Cam, Nate, Zac and Ulysses all tagged along.  As an experienced shopper, Jane only needed one store to complete her list.  After 30 minutes and asking a friendly store owner, a single location fulfilled all items.  

Late in the afternoon, we met up with John and his daughter Layna, and Grandma Sue at The Organ Stop in Mesa, Arizona. 

In 1972, the original Organ Stop Pizza restaurant premiered in Phoenix, Arizona at the corner of 7th Street and Missouri Avenue with a Wurlitzer pipe organ which was originally built for Grauman’s Hollywood Egyptian Theater. This unique concept of a pizza parlor with a pipe organ was envisioned by William P. Brown, a Phoenix real estate developer whose enthusiasm for the theater pipe organ and its music led to the creation of this landmark attraction. The phenomenal success of the Phoenix restaurant prompted plans to open another Organ Stop in Mesa. It opened in 1975 near the corner of Dobson and Southern Avenue with a Wurlitzer organ from the Denver Theater in Denver, Colorado. In the theater, the Denver instrument had 15 ranks, or sets of pipes. The instrument was totally rebuilt, and the decision was made to enlarge the organ to 23 ranks for its debut in the new Mesa Organ Stop. In its new and improved location, Organ Stop Pizza and its Mighty Wurlitzer have come to be known as the biggest and best in the world as attested to by many of the world’s finest theater organists and, more importantly, the hundreds of thousands of patrons who visit each year. There are continuing efforts to make additions and improvements to the organ, endeavoring to fine tune the instrument closer and closer to perfection. 

Following our fun at The Organ Stop, our caravan of 3 vehicles made its way up South Mountain.

South Mountain Park in Phoenix, Arizona is the largest municipal park in the United States, and one of the largest urban parks in North America and in the world. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride. The park's lookout point rises over 1000 feet above the desert floor. Beyond the roads leading to ramadas and the summit, the park features 58 miles of trails for cycling, hiking and horseback riding. It took us almost 30 minutes to drive up the mountain from its base.  We all watched the sunset together before making our way back down the mountain.

Tuesday was our busiest day yet and our last full day in Arizona.  We certainly did pack a lot in.  After breakfast, Cam and his mom and dad, along with three of his uncles and their mom ventured over to see Cam's great Grandma Mary once again.  We chatted, looked at more pictures and had a nice visit.

Our next stop was Cam's Uncle John's workplace.  He runs a treatment center in Mesa for individuals trying to better themselves in different ways.  He introduced all of us to his clients that were present and talked about how it's never too late to bring family together.  As a family, we had the honor of serving lunch to the clients.  We then dined together right there in the office.

Cam and his dad, along with Ulysses and Grandma Sue all picked up Layna at school that afternoon. We then had a bit of respite prior to heading out again. Cam's Uncle John hosts a weekly video podcast.  He is inspirational, working to help others find their meaning and their full potential.  John asked his brothers to be his guests for the podcast taping at the studio.  He also requested Jane, Cam, Layna and Grandma Sue to be in the audience.

It was a true professional setup and we were all impressed!  You can view the video podcast by clicking on this link.  Family Matters Video Podcast.  The five brothers are in full view and the audience was invited in at the close of the broadcast.  After the studio visit, we took our caravan to Portillo's for a fun, relaxing dinner.  We had to say goodbye to Layna and John that evening.  Wednesday morning, we enjoyed our last breakfast buffet with Grandma Sue, Nate, Zac and Ulysses.  Cam told his uncles and grandma how much he would miss them.  As we said our goodbyes and talked about how we would meet up again, the smiles and laughter continued for Chris and his brothers.  Our travels back home on Wednesday brought continued discussion, reliving our favorite outings and talks.  We didn't make it into our beds until almost midnight on Wednesday.

Thursday and Friday were still a part of Cam's spring break so we all enjoyed a bit of extra sleep.  Cam had a chipped tooth fixed on Friday and his parents reluctantly tried to get back into the swing of things at work.  On Saturday afternoon, we were so happy to welcome Oma and Opa!  They arrived early to spend Easter Sunday with us and were eager to hear about Arizona.  We watched "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" after our flank steak dinner.  Cam and his grandma could not stop laughing about all of the antics in the movie!  We attended church the next morning, sitting with our dear friends, the Raisch family.  Later in the afternoon, Mike and Eric arrived for Easter din.  It was fun catching up, swapping stories and eating a delicious ham meal.

We apparently brought the Phoenix weather back to Michigan as we enjoyed one of the nicest weather days for Easter.  Not only did the sun bring extra brightness and warmth, the recent memories certainly did as well!

Camology Quotes:

Cam's Uncle John always makes him laugh. Seeing him at his own workplace, though, gave Cameron a different perspective.  He was able to see how his uncle is helping others on a daily basis, providing inspiration and his own experiences.  Cam was also proud to be introduced as part of the family and after meeting Uncle John's clients, he quietly said to his mom:

"I loved seeing Uncle John's clients' faces light up when he was speaking."