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Asher's Gift Box, 8309 Murphy Drive, Middleton, WI (2026)

10/16/2026

⚽💙 Sometimes inclusion starts with noticing what others might miss.

About four years ago, when Asher first started playing soccer, I noticed something that stayed with me.

During practice, the coach told the children to run to the other side of the field. All the kids started running, but Asher didn’t. He only started running after seeing his teammates move.

That’s when I realized he wasn’t getting the same access to instructions as the other children.

I started talking to his coaches, reminding them to get closer to Asher, face him when speaking, and make sure he could see them. But as time went on, I found myself having the same conversations and giving the same reminders.

I realized we needed another solution.

Then I thought, “If schools use remote microphones to help Deaf and Hard of Hearing students access instructions, why couldn’t we use one for soccer?”

That’s when I started exploring a remote microphone system that would transmit the coach’s voice directly to Asher’s hearing aids, helping him understand instructions despite distance and background noise.

💙 But here’s something I really want other families to know.

Assistive technology for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children can be expensive! And sometimes, when we see the price, we think there’s no way we can afford it.

But just because we don’t have the money to pay for something ourselves doesn’t mean there aren’t resources that could help make it possible!

In our case, I reached out to a support program Asher was already part of. I explained the challenges he was experiencing during soccer and how a remote microphone could help him.

Our goal was simple: We wanted Asher to have the same opportunity to understand his coach’s instructions and participate alongside his peers.

We worked together to establish that goal, and through the program, we were able to get his Oticon EduMic funded! 💙

⚽💙 And now, look closely at this picture!

After all these years, Asher’s coaches are still wearing the microphone!

What started as a question about how to help Asher participate alongside his peers has become an accommodation that continues to support him as he grows.

Of course, every program has different requirements, and funding isn’t guaranteed. But there are organizations, grants, and support programs worth exploring.

That’s one of the reasons I share our journey through Asher's Gift Box. I want families to know that they can ask questions, explore resources, and advocate for the tools their children need.

Don't be afraid to reach out, ask questions, and explore available resources. The answer might be no, but what if it's yes?

💙 Sometimes advocacy starts with noticing a barrier, asking questions, and finding a different way to make things possible.

Our children deserve the opportunity to participate and enjoy the activities they love!

10/14/2026

💙 “Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it!”
— Asher K. 💙

A couple of years ago, our Deaf mentor shared something with me that I have never forgotten.

She told me how impressed she was that I encouraged Asher to try so many different things. She shared that she had met families who were afraid to let their Deaf or Hard of Hearing children try certain activities.

That conversation stayed with me.

Does that mean I have never been afraid? Absolutely not!

As a mom, I have plenty of fears and worries. But one thing I have always tried to do is find ways to overcome barriers instead of allowing those barriers to determine what Asher can or cannot do.

Whether it’s soccer, violin, or something completely new, I try to think outside the box, ask questions, find resources, and figure out how to make things accessible and safe for him.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Asher decided to give hockey a try! 🏒

Was I nervous? Absolutely!

Even something as simple as trying a helmet became a challenge because his hearing aids didn’t fit comfortably underneath it. So we tried a bigger helmet and worked on finding a solution.

And that’s what I want other families to know.

We don’t have to have all the answers before allowing our children to try something new. Sometimes we learn, adapt, and figure things out together.

Of course, safety and accessibility matter. But so do our children’s dreams, interests, and opportunities to discover what they love.

At Asher's Gift Box, we want to empower families to see possibilities, find resources, and advocate for opportunities for their Deaf and Hard of Hearing children.

I want Asher to grow up knowing that his hearing loss is part of who he is, but it doesn’t have to define his possibilities.

So I asked him:

“What advice would you give to other children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing?”

And his answer made me smile. 💙

Sometimes, the very lessons we try to teach our children are the ones they turn around and teach us.

💙 Let’s help our children discover what they CAN do, instead of deciding what they can’t.

I realize that I need to remind myself of these same words as I navigate a different journey with my oldest son.

Different child. Different challenges. Different barriers.

10/13/2026

🧸👕💙 ONE GOAL REACHED! TWO MORE TO GO!

Asher's Gift Box is excited to continue supporting Wanda Genao de Salas and Fundación luz en el fondo del alma in their upcoming missions to the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 and Mexico 🇲🇽, helping children whose families cannot afford hearing aids.

📚 We’ve reached our book goal! Thanks to everyone who helped make that possible!

Now we need your help with two more goals!

🧸 58 MORE STUFFED ANIMALS!

Our goal is 118, and we already have 60!

We are collecting NEW stuffed animals between 12 and 14 inches tall. They don’t have to be teddy bears! 🐻🐶🐱🐰🦊

We love having different animals so we can personalize the boxes or let children choose their favorite!

Why the size? Because we add Magic Ears (aka hearing aids!) to our stuffed animals so children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing can have a special friend who looks a little more like them! 💙

Even ONE stuffed animal makes a difference! You don’t need to donate an entire pack.

Here are a couple of Amazon options:

🧸 Option 1:
https://a.co/d/0aP6XBec

🧸 Option 2 (Pack of 14 teddy bears):
https://a.co/d/0i8Mm7cj

Ship donations to:

Asher’s Gift Box
8309 Murphy Dr
Middleton, WI 53562

“TENGO OÍDOS MÁGICOS” T-SHIRTS

We’re also raising funds to provide children with these special T-shirts, celebrating their identities and reminding them they’re not alone!

Donate toward the T-shirts here:

https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4438298

📸 The photo we’re sharing is from a previous mission we supported. Seeing a child wearing our T-shirt and holding a Magic Ears stuffed animal reminds us why we do this!

One stuffed animal, one donation, one child at a time. Every act of generosity matters! 💙

Thank you for helping us remind children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing that they are seen, represented, and never alone.

10/13/2026

💙 Sometimes, on the hardest days, we get a little reminder of why we keep going.

Today has been an emotional day.

Earlier, I shared how exhausted I’ve been feeling from advocating for my children. And those feelings are still there.

But our mission doesn’t stop on the hard days. 💙

This morning, we held our Asher’s Gift Box Board of Directors meeting, continuing to work toward growing our mission and reaching more families.

And today, we also had the opportunity to deliver a special Asher's Gift Box to a little girl named Ada, right before she headed into her classroom to start her school day.

Both of my boys, Asher and Josiah, were right there with me.

And then came the moment that made my day! 🧸💕

Ada opened her box, took out her special stuffed animal, and gave it a big hug!

Her excitement was absolutely amazing!

Some of her friends gathered around, admiring her new stuffed animal.

One of them said, “Oh, that’s so cute!”

And we pointed out something very special about her new friend.

Her stuffed animal has a cochlear implant, just like Ada! 💙

And that right there is what ’s Gift Box is all about.

It’s not just about giving a child a stuffed animal. It’s about representation. It’s about helping children see themselves in the things they love and helping their friends see that being different is something we can embrace and celebrate.

Ada hadn’t even had a chance to explore everything else inside her box yet! I asked her family to keep me posted when she does.

But seeing her excitement, watching her hug her stuffed animal, and seeing her friends admire it was the light I needed today.

This is why I do what I do.

Some days we cry. Some days we celebrate. And sometimes we do both on the very same day.

Today was one of those days.

Life isn’t always easy. Advocacy isn’t always easy. And building something meaningful takes time, dedication, and a lot of heart.

But we keep showing up.

We keep advocating.

We keep fighting for what’s right, for what’s good, and for our children.

Because even on the hardest days, there is still so much good we can do.

💙 One child. One family. One gift box at a time.

Helping children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing know they are seen, represented, and never alone.

10/13/2026

💙 This mama is tired. But this mama will never give up.

The last week have been hard. Really hard.

My heart is heavy, and I’m emotionally exhausted.

I’ve been advocating for my oldest son, who was diagnosed with learning difficulties back in February.

He’s doing well in school. He’s smart, works hard, and has learned ways to compensate for the areas where he struggles.

But that’s part of the problem.

Because he’s doing well, the underlying challenges aren’t always being recognized.

I see his struggles. I see how hard he works. I see his fatigue. I see the gaps that don’t always show up in his grades or test scores.

And I’m tired of having to fight for someone else to see what I see.

I see my children. I know my children. I am the expert on my children.

I know their strengths. I know their struggles. I know when something isn’t right, even when everything looks fine on the outside.

And this brings me back to when I first started advocating for Asher.

I remember hearing comments like:

“He’s not deaf enough.”

“He’s not behind enough.”

And I hated those words then. I still hate them today.

Why do our children have to fall behind before someone recognizes that they need support?

Why do we have to wait until they’re struggling academically, falling through the cracks, or developing behavioral challenges because their needs haven’t been identified or addressed?

Why can’t we look deeper and help them before they reach that point?

With Asher, it took a year and a half of advocating to finally get the support he needed.

And now, here I am again, advocating for my oldest son.

Different child. Different needs. But that same exhausting feeling of trying to get someone to recognize what I’m seeing.

I’m not asking for special treatment.

I’m asking for my children to be seen, understood, and supported based on their individual needs.

And today, I’m tired.

Sometimes I wish I could just be their mom without having to constantly research, explain, attend meetings, ask questions, and advocate so hard.

Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I’m frustrated. Sometimes I don’t know what to do next.

And that’s why I’m sharing this picture.

I share our victories, our accomplishments, and the beautiful moments. But I also want to share the hard ones.

Because advocacy isn’t always beautiful. Life isn’t always beautiful.

And somewhere out there, another mom or dad might be sitting alone, crying, feeling overwhelmed, and wondering what to do next.

I want that parent to know they’re not alone. 💙

Being a strong advocate doesn’t mean I always have the answers or that I never break down. It means that even on the hard days, I keep showing up for my children.

My heart aches. I’m frustrated. I’m exhausted.

But I know my boys. I know what they’re capable of, and I know they deserve the opportunity to succeed without having to fail first.

And if I have to walk this road of advocacy all over again, I will.

Even when I’m tired.

Even when I cry.

Even when I don’t know what comes next.

Because I will never stop fighting for my children to be seen.

💙 This mama is tired. But this mama never gives up.

10/12/2026

💙 Independence doesn’t happen overnight. It grows one experience at a time.

One of my biggest goals as Asher’s mom has always been to help him become independent, confident, and believe in what he is capable of accomplishing.

I remember when medical appointments meant Asher sitting on my lap because he was nervous. And I was nervous for him, too!

This year, Asher needed to have two teeth removed because they weren’t coming out on their own.

Watching him handle that appointment made me realize how much he has grown.

He was brave. He was strong. And this time, he didn’t need me to hold him.

But there was one moment that touched my heart.

As they were giving him the local anesthesia, I noticed a little tear rolling down the side of his face.

I gently touched his leg and whispered, “I’m here. You’re doing great. I’m here.”

He didn’t need to sit on my lap this time, but he still needed to know I was there. 💙

And it wasn’t just at the dentist!

I remember when eye doctor appointments meant holding Asher on my lap so they could put drops in his eyes. He was scared, and he needed that extra comfort.

But this year was different. He sat in the chair by himself and let them put the drops in his eyes!

No sitting on my lap. No holding him.

Just Asher, learning to face something that used to be difficult for him. 💙

These may seem like small moments to others, but as his mom, I see just how much growth they represent.

As parents, sometimes it’s hard to watch our children face challenges. Our instinct is to protect them, help them, and make things easier.

But part of empowering our children is giving them opportunities to discover what they can do on their own, while reminding them that they never have to face challenges alone.

Independence doesn’t mean they don’t need our support. It means helping them build the confidence to try, knowing we’re always there when they need us.

At Asher's Gift Box, we believe in empowering children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing to recognize their strengths, build confidence, and believe in themselves.

Every child grows at their own pace, and sometimes the smallest steps are the biggest victories.

And as parents, we’re constantly learning when to step in, when to step back, and when simply being present is enough.

💙 Our job isn’t to do everything for our children, but to help them discover everything they are capable of doing.

Because empowering our children today helps them become confident and independent tomorrow.

10/10/2026

💙 Just because a child looks happy doesn’t mean they aren’t experiencing listening fatigue or feeling overwhelmed by sound.

At Asher's Gift Box our mission goes beyond sending gift boxes. We want to support and empower families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing by sharing our journey, our experiences, and the valuable resources we’ve discovered along the way.

We don’t have all the answers, but we believe sharing what we’ve learned can help other families feel more informed, confident, and empowered to advocate for their children.

Listening fatigue is real. And our children need us to listen.

Last school year, I remember one night when Asher cried and cried before bedtime because he was so overwhelmed by the sounds he had experienced at school.

This year, he started telling me again how loud and overwhelming his classroom felt.

During the Hands & Voices Leadership Conference, I had the opportunity to learn from a Deaf educator who shared practical strategies to support children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing in the classroom.

One suggestion was simple: Where a child sits matters.

Instead of sitting in the middle of the classroom, positioning Asher in a corner could help him manage the sounds around him and make it easier to follow conversations without constantly turning to see who is speaking.

I brought this information to his IEP team, and his seating was changed.

When he came home, he was so excited to tell me:

💙 “Mom, it was better!”

Sometimes, one small change can make a big difference.

As parents, we need to listen when our children tell us something isn’t working. Their experiences matter, even when their struggles aren’t visible to others.

And we are constantly learning, too. What works for one child may not work for another, and what worked last year may need to change this year.

Advocating for our children never stops. And sometimes, advocacy begins by simply listening.

My hope in sharing our experiences is that another parent might recognize something their child is going through, discover a new resource, or feel encouraged to ask questions and advocate for their child’s needs.

💙 Because no family should have to navigate this journey alone.

10/07/2026

💛 Why do we do this?

Asher's Gift Box started with one simple hope: that children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, and their families, know they are seen, represented, and never alone. 💛

Sometimes that looks like a book with a character who wears hearing devices.

Sometimes it’s a stuffed animal made especially for them, or a T-shirt that proudly says, “I Have Magic Ears.” 🦻

And sometimes it’s simply connecting a family with someone who understands.

What started with Asher’s story and our family, continues to open doors to serve children and families in places we never expected. ❤️

Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared a post, encouraged us or helped us make a connection.

You are part of this too. 🌎🤟

Donate through our PayPal Giving Fund:

Prefer to mail a check or donate a new stuffed animal? 🧸

https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4438298

Asher’s Gift Box
8309 Murphy Dr.
Middleton, WI 53562

Thank you for your support.

10/06/2026

Hello friends of Asher's Gift Box

193 books. An answered prayer… and a blessing beyond what we could have imagined. ❤️

Wanda with Fundación luz en el fondo del alma, has been praying for God’s provision for her upcoming mission to the Dominican Republic and Mexico. She is working two shifts right now while raising the funds needed to make this mission possible.

Then she came home after a long day of work and found boxes of books waiting for her.

193 books for the mission. 📚

She told us she cried when she opened them. 🥹

But God provided even more than we expected.

When Karlie with rhett_the_heeler, started this book fundraiser, I never imagined that in addition to providing the books for Wanda’s mission, 141 books would also be donated to Asher’s Gift Box.

334 books altogether. ❤️

Thank you, Karlie, and thank you to every person who helped make this possible. What an incredible reminder that sometimes the answer to a prayer is even bigger than what we imagined.

And the mission isn’t finished yet. 🌎

Want to be part of this mission too? ❤️

Our work isn’t finished yet! Asher’s Gift Box is currently accepting donations to help provide 118 T-shirts and 118 stuffed animals for the children, as well as cover the cost of getting these gifts to them. 🧸

Every donation, big or small, helps us get closer to putting something special into the hands of each child. 💛

Want to be part of it?

Donate through our PayPal Giving Fund:

https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4438298

Want to donate a new stuffed animal or send a check? 🧸

You can mail donations to:
Asher’s Gift Box
8309 Murphy Dr.
Middleton, WI 53562

Every gift gets us one step closer. ❤️

09/22/2026

Hello friends of Asher's Gift Box

I have to share what my three boys did while I was away at the Hands & Voices conference. 😂

This was my first time traveling this far away from my family for several days, so I was not quite sure what I would come home to.

While I was at the conference, Dave sent me a Walmart link and pictures, but with the internet going in and out, none of the pictures loaded. All I saw was something about $300 marked down to $50. I thought, Whatever it is, it is $50. I am not worrying about this right now. So I never replied and I forgot about it because I was pretty busy going from session to session.

I came home to a clean and organized house, dinner and a great dessert…and my three boys telling me they had an anniversary surprise for me.

A HOT TUB. 🤣

Apparently, Asher spotted the hot tub, told Daddy about it… and Daddy listened! And just like that, my three boys had a plan.And according to my husband, it was our anniversary gift! Our 17th anniversary happened to be while I was away at the conference.

Suddenly that mysterious $50 message made a LOT more sense. 🤣

I told them they were crazy and I couldn’t leave it then alone 🤣 but I have to admit $300 for $50 was a pretty amazing deal! ❤️

Last night, all four of us got to enjoy their surprise together.

Apparently Mom can go away to conferences… but I may need to pay a little more attention to Dave’s messages next time. 🤣❤️

Asher's Gift Box

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