Written by: mejo
Parenting is a team effort, but parenting a child with special needs is a whole different kind of teamwork. For Lucas’ family, the support and collaboration between mom, dad, and their trusted resources have been the cornerstone of navigating life together. This is their story, a heartfelt journey of love, resilience, and finding tools that make their path just a little bit easier.
Lucas is 18 years old and was welcomed into his family through adoption when he was just 7 months old. At the time, he weighed only 8 pounds, 7 ounces, and his parents quickly learned that his journey would be unique. Lucas was born with a partial chromosomal deletion, but it took years of genetic testing to pinpoint his exact diagnosis. Despite his challenges, including being non-verbal and unable to walk, Lucas’ joy and infectious personality shine through. He loves being around people, thrives on snuggles, and brings endless light to those who know him.
Life as Lucas’ Team
Parenting Lucas requires constant care, decision-making, and, of course, teamwork. As his mom, Kim explains, “All parenting has its rewards and challenges; however, parenting a child with special needs has unique challenges and rewards.”
One of the hardest aspects is making medical decisions without Lucas’ input. “Sometimes we made the right decision; other times we got it wrong and live with regret,” she shares. For a non-verbal child, the inability to communicate pain or discomfort adds to the complexity of caregiving. “It’s heartbreaking when your child is hurting, and you don’t know how to fix it,” she adds.
Their days are structured like a finely tuned machine, with each parent taking on key roles. Lucas is entirely dependent on his caregivers. Kim starts her day early, prepping his feeding pump, getting breakfast ready, and squeezing in a workout before Lucas wakes up. Dad, Jon then steps in, dressing Lucas and taking him to school, where he also serves as Lucas’ school aide. Their teamwork continues into the evening when mom takes over care duties after school until bedtime.
What makes their family’s approach so inspiring is their recognition of caregiving as a shared responsibility. It’s not just about dividing tasks—it’s about mutual support, communication, and adapting to challenges as a unit. Whether it’s taking turns at appointments, sharing updates via mejo, or leaning on each other emotionally, the power of teamwork shines through every aspect of their daily lives. For Lucas’ parents, teamwork is what keeps them strong and resilient. “We’re in this together,” mom says. “It’s not always easy, but we know we’re better as a team.”
How mejo Became Part of the Team
The family relocated to a new state, which came with the daunting task of establishing care with new doctors and specialists. In this transition, mejo has become a lifesaver. “Just having a journal with everything in one place has made the transition so much smoother,” Kim shares. Before the move, she was Lucas’ primary caregiver and attended most of his medical appointments. Now, Jon has stepped into that role, and mejo has been pivotal in helping him seamlessly take on these new responsibilities.
Recently, they look Lucas in for a sleep study appointment. Jon mentioned that he didn't remember when his last sleep study was or the results. He didn’t have to with mejo. He was able to give the doctor all the information she requested in this appointment because he carries the summary print out. He just handed it to the doctor and she got all the information she needed.
"Having the information mejo provides helped me feel competent that I would have the specific information the doctor requested."
The ability to easily update Lucas’ information on the app or online, then print a single page with the latest details, has brought a sense of organization and peace of mind to their lives. “We wish we’d had this tool all along,” mom reflects.
As Lucas’ parents describe it, mejo isn’t just a tool—it feels like an extra teammate. By centralizing medical information and simplifying communication, mejo has become an essential part of their caregiving process. In moments of stress or uncertainty, the app provides clarity and confidence, ensuring that everyone on Lucas’ team is on the same page.
Lucas’ Lesson: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Lucas has taught his family so much about love, patience, and resilience. His journey highlights the importance of a strong support system, and tools like mejo have become an extension of that team. For families like theirs, caregiving isn’t just about one person—it’s a shared effort, woven together with love, determination, and gratitude.
From everyone at mejo, thank you to Lucas’ family for sharing your story and allowing us to be a part of your incredible team. Together, we’re making life’s challenges just a little bit easier—one step at a time.
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