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.

And today, this episode marks what would have been his 26th birthday. 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. I’ll be taking a short break, and when I return with 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.

#TheCaregiverTeam #CaregiverPodcast #SpecialNeedsParenting #DisabilityAdvocate #CaregiverLife #ParentingDisabledChild #PodcastEpisode

Episode 7: The Waterboy 💙🎧

On a football team, the Waterboy isn’t the star. He doesn’t score touchdowns or call plays. But he keeps the players hydrated, wipes their sweat, and makes sure the team can keep going.

For Devon, I was the Waterboy.

I wiped drool instead of sweat. I monitored fluids, diapers, and kidney health. I cleaned up after G-tube leaks, tracked hydration, and stayed vigilant through stones, crystals, and catheter checks.

It wasn’t glamorous, but it mattered. Because without the Waterboy, the players can’t stay in the game. And without caregivers tending to those unseen needs, our loved ones can’t stay in theirs.

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

#TheCaregiverTeam #CaregiverPodcast #SpecialNeedsParenting #DisabilityAdvocate #CaregiverLife