Before I tell you Devon’s story, I want you to meet my boy.

Devon was blind, non-verbal, and lived with severe disabilities—but none of those things tell you who he was.

He was funny. Stubborn. A little mischievous. He loved music, silly voices, being called handsome, and his beloved Blankie Bear. He knew exactly who he liked (and who he didn’t!), and he had a laugh that could fill a room.

For 19 years, Devon taught me more about caregiving, love, advocacy, grief, and joy than I ever could have learned anywhere else.

There will be difficult parts of his story to tell. But we’re not starting there.

We’re starting with his smile.

We’re starting with his laugh.

We’re starting with my sunshine on a cloudy day. 💙

Welcome to Season 2 of The Caregiver Team: Devon’s Story.

Bonus Episode: The Crowd / The Fans 🎧💙

Every football team has a crowd. Some show up for a day, some for a season, and some only at the very end.

As a caregiver, I had a crowd too. There were people who prayed, people who checked in briefly, and people who only came near when my son Devon was dying. It often felt like vultures circling, and I wondered — where were they all before, when we needed support the most?

But Devon’s life wasn’t defined by the noise. It was defined by resilience, sunshine, and outliving the odds. Doctors never thought he’d make it to his teenage years, but he lived to be 19. Six years longer than anyone imagined.

This episode marks what would have been his 27th year (August 31, 2026). I reflect on what could have been — who he might have become, the life he might have lived, and the legacy he left behind.

This episode closes Season 1 of The Caregiver Team. Next up is Season 2! I’ll share Devon’s full story — his life, his struggles, his joys, and the love that carried us through.

💙 Thank you for being here, and I hope you’ll join me when Season 2 begins.

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Episode 8: The Cheerleader 🌟💙

Every football team has a cheerleader. They don’t play the game, but they lift the players when they’re tired, encourage them when they’re struggling, and celebrate every victory.

For Devon, I was the cheerleader. From clapping when he held a rattle a few seconds longer, to celebrating a military crawl just an inch farther, I cheered him on every step of the way. Even when doctors reminded me to stay realistic, I kept cheering—through reality, not fantasy.

I called him my sunshine on a cloudy day, because his smile and laugh broke through even the darkest moments. He cheered me up just as much as I cheered him. And people noticed—he grew into such a sweet, joyful, well-mannered child that everyone loved to be around.

Being a cheerleader wasn’t just my favorite role in Devon’s life—it was a reminder that encouragement lifts us both. Because when we cheer for our loved ones, even through hardship, their joy has a way of cheering us right back.

💙 If this resonates with you, share it with another caregiver who needs encouragement today.

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