eSpecially Ben

Ben had the opportunity to go down the water slide today. We have been going to this pool for three years and have thought about getting Ben down the slide, but the conditions were not always right - too hot, not enough adults to help or life guards were not in favor of the idea. Today, everything lined up and we were given the thumbs up for Ben to go down the slide one time. I was at the top of the slide and should have taken the photos from there - I had a perfect view of a smiling kid slowly going down the slide. 

Ben got a big surprise today - his friend and peer buddy, Kay, met us at the pool.  Kay and Ben could not stop smiling.  At Ben's school, students from the general education classes can apply to be a peer buddy to a student in the exceptional children's program. Peer buddies help with Special Olympics, field trips and other activities throughout the year.  According to Ben's teacher, the relationships between the students develop into strong friendships. The peer buddies end up visiting the classroom whenever they get a chance - usually every day. Kay told her mom that Ben chose her as his peer buddy. He got so excited every time she came into the classroom during that first week of school that the teacher had to put them together.  Kay moves to high school this year, but we have plans to stay in touch and get together. This friendship is too special to forget.

Kickstand Burgers, Charlotte, NC Summer is here and we have been busy. Ben has been in the pool more times than I can count. Logan and Sean have already been to camp, and we all went on a short vacation over Memorial Day. I have been writing regularly for an online site, CharlotteFive . I have been fortunate to grab a few other writing assignments here and there. It has been tremendous fun, but it has kept me busy. I have not been able to post here as often as I would like. Here are few quick photos to relieve me of the guilt I feel for not posting regularly: Pool Time Lake Junaluska, NC NASCAR LiftMaster Pole Night, Concord, NC Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Gastonia, NC Lake Junaluska, NC Cataloochee, NC Duck Island, NC

Yesterday morning, I received a text with photos from one of the assistant teachers in Ben's 6th grade class: Randolph Middle School students had lined the walkway into school and the hallways as the Special Olympic athletes paraded through the crowd of students. (I tear up even now as I write this.) The athletes and their peer buddies. Bulletin board to show support of their classmates.

Special Olympic Mecklenburg County Opening Ceremonies were today. My sister and her family are visiting from New York. This was their first time at the Special Olympics.  It took awhile for Ben to realize we were all there, but as soon as he did, he was excited to see everyone.  And tomorrow Ben competes in the softball throw. 

This is a photo of Ben after he met a new friend today. Ben giggled the entire time he was with his new friend. We were connected with the "Z" family a few months ago when we were donating a piece of equipment. A school physical therapist connected us, but we only met the dad that first time. He mentioned that their son seemed similar to Ben. We finally met today at a local park and Ben and "D" were strangely similar in their abilities, habits and history. Ben was in love with the whole family, including their dog. Ben was interested in D and tried to interact with him. It was fun to watch Ben "make a friend." I see us spending more time with them - Ben's judgment of people is usually spot-on.