Prom ’24

  • Post category:School
  • Reading time:2 mins read

I was going to wait and include this with next weekend’s monthly post, but I just couldn’t wait to post this. Besides, this was such a big event that I think it deserves its own post.

Our high school district had their prom for the kids with special needs on Friday night and James got to go. When they say that kids grow up fast, they’re not kidding. I didn’t attend my first prom until I was seventeen and a junior in high school. James is only fourteen years old and a freshman, so how was he able to go to prom? Well, because his classmates range in age from fourteen to twenty-two, it wouldn’t be fair that only some of them got to go to prom.

Stacy and I had a short discussion about whether he should go or not. It wasn’t because he’s so young; it was because it was at night, and he has dinner, meds and a nebulizer treatment at 6:00 pm, and another batch of meds at 8:00 pm. We were trying to figure out how that would all work when prom started at 6:00. His one-on-one nurse was going to be with him, and she is more than capable of handling his feeding and meds, so we let him go. We would just give him his nebulizer treatment when he got home.

After we decided that he should go to prom, we figured he needed to have a date if he was going to do it right. The choice of who he should ask was pretty easy. There’s a girl in his class that he’s been friends with since they were in a playgroup together when he was 3 and she was 5. With the help of his teachers and therapists, James asked her…and she said yes! Here is a video of his ‘promposal’:

 

 

Sadly, the girl’s mom passed away last year, but we know that she was looking down from heaven and smiling knowing that James and her daughter were going to prom together.

 

James sits in his wheelchair inside a hallway at home. He wears dark sunglasses, a white shirt with a striped pocket, and a light purple tie. His mouth is open slightly, and the chair has padded armrests with a green bag hanging at the side. Behind him, a red rug runs down the hallway toward a door, and a wooden cabinet with a small stuffed toy on top sits against the wall. The scene feels like an everyday moment in a familiar home space.
All ready to go to prom

 

James sits outdoors in his wheelchair in a parking lot, wearing sunglasses, a white shirt, and a purple tie. A sticker on the chair shows a cartoon monkey with the words “Fans of James.” Jeff and Stacy stand close on either side of him, leaning in with relaxed, friendly expressions. Parked cars, trees, and a handicapped‑parking sign fill the background in the bright daylight, giving the moment an easy, social feel.
With Mommy and Daddy before prom

 

James sits in his wheelchair wearing a white shirt, purple tie, and glasses. Beside him, another person in a light turquoise outfit with a gray bib or scarf sits in their own wheelchair. A third person reaches in from the side, gently holding both of their hands. Behind them, a table is set with plates, cups, and small decorations, giving the scene the feel of a social or formal gathering. The moment captures quiet connection and support between the three.
James with his date on the dance floor

 

 

James sits in his wheelchair wearing glasses, a white shirt, and a light purple tie. Beside him, another person in a light turquoise outfit sits in their own wheelchair. A third person stands close, wearing a red shirt and gently holding the turquoise‑clad person’s hand. Behind them hangs a dark blue, sparkly backdrop that gives the scene a simple, celebratory feel. The moment captures quiet support and togetherness among the three.
Getting ready to take their prom picture

 

When we went to pick him up, he had saved a dance for his mommy:

 

 

James sits in his wheelchair wearing a white shirt, purple tie, and black pants. His nurse stands beside him in a dark dress and sandals, smiling toward the camera. Behind them, string lights hang in front of a curtain, with wooden walls and audio equipment set up on a nearby table. The scene has a festive, reception‑like feel, capturing a posed moment together in the decorated space.
James with his nurse

 

James sits in his wheelchair wearing a white shirt, purple tie, and dark pants. Two people stand close on either side of him — Stacy in a gray hoodie and glasses, his nurse in a dark dress and sandals. They’re all positioned on a wooden floor with string lights hanging against a curtain and audio equipment set up nearby. The scene feels like a friendly moment during a social or celebratory event.
With Mommy and his nurse

 

We think James had a good time, but it was a long night for him, and he was wiped out when he got home.

 

James lies on his cushioned recliner on a carpeted floor supported by several patterned pillows, including polka dots and cartoon monkeys. He wears a white shirt and holds a purple tie in his hand. A plush brown dog‑shaped neck pillow rests around his neck. A gray geometric blanket sits behind him, and a red piece of clothing hangs nearby. The scene feels like a quiet, relaxed moment in a familiar home space.
Home and wiped out