Red Oak Family Foundation

05/30/2026

Sometimes the greatest gifts also come with the greatest challenges.

Before I had Graham, I never stopped. I rarely sat and life kept moving at an often unrealistic pace. I was taught that to be better is to do more.

In the end, I now realize, because of Graham, to live a non-stop “busy” life is depleting. It also may be rewarding in the short-term to accomplish something, but it can become an endless search. A dead end. Often a waste of energy and life.

Life is so precious and spinning wheels for it to keep up with others or who you think you should be or what others say you should be never ends well. Everyone has to be themself. Be true to yourself. Fill up with what truly fills you. It’s hard to do that because when you look around many are looking for the photo opp to make them look better not for themselves but for others.

Having a child with more support needs is exhausting, and incredibly amazing, but exhausting, and so why would I choose to make it more so?

Graham is amazed by the ocean, and most water sources. He examines it, he feels it deeply. Without words, he shows us that.

Graham is mesmerized by the woods, and by trains. He sees magic in so much, and it inspires us to slow down and do the same.

When I think about what I live for, it’s for my family. It’s for autism families. It’s for finding joy in real friendships. It’s for being active. It’s for live music and giving back to my community. It’s for travel. It’s for meeting people who tell great stories. It’s for laughing.

And with that, life is not about doing something because I think I should or buying something because others have it. Or telling my child to choose a certain person, group or activity to fit in.

Follow your heart. Be genuine. Do what is right. Be brave. Be strong. Be kind. When you strip away what does not matter, you see what does. True beauty and true living lies there. Graham has challenged us. He has also forced us to be better. He has taught us what is important and if we did not have him, we would have likely never known how fulfilling life can be. What a gift. 💝

04/28/2026

04/24/2026

04/23/2026

04/22/2026

04/17/2026

Family Feature Friday: The Donham kids ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Not only are they superheros with unique superpowers, their family has done so many different therapies and prioritized early intervention which has been a gift.

Thank you for sharing, Donhams, and for being such a positive part of the Red Oak community. You inspire us all.

02/01/2026

Columbus now has spelling. 🎉🎉🎉 👏 Welcome !!!

Graham has done speech at school and private speech for years and years. We have done social groups for speech. We have tried it all. We have had great experiences and also have felt like there must be more for him.

Graham has strong receptive language, and has limited words, which means we know he understands us, and has so much he has not expressed to us. He has an AAC device he uses to communicate with us, and we definitely speak his language and understand his words and gestures, but not everything. And, we want to know his hopes, dreams, frustrations and desires as we do with all our kids.

So, last year I went to Akron, Ohio to see a presentation from Andrew an Jakob, and walked away inspired by the method of spelling that has unlocked doors for these two amazing guys who can now express themselves with spelling what they want to say. It took years of hard work and practice, and they are now able to share so much of themselves with others.

Graham had his first intro to spelling today, and we are excited to see what this method brings for him. We know it can be controversial, and also life-changing. We want to give it a try. We are hopeful about the opportunity, and Graham crushed his first session.

Please share your thoughts and experiences if you have them ⬇️