Viral Post Update and Random Stuff

  • Post category:Holidays / School
  • Reading time:4 mins read

Viral Post Update

 

A social‑media graphic is split into two sections. On the left, a child sits outdoors in a wheelchair wearing a red‑and‑black plaid shirt. Text over the photo reads: “Instead of ‘don’t stare’ — let’s start teaching — ‘SAY HELLO,’” along with a link to a Facebook page. On the right, detailed post‑performance statistics are displayed, showing more than 15 million people reached and over 1.3 million combined reactions, comments, and shares. A breakdown lists counts for likes, loves, laughs, wows, sad reactions, angry reactions, comments, and shares. The overall layout highlights both the message of inclusion and the large‑scale engagement the post received.

 

As of November 24th, we have officially reached 15 million people. We have no words. Totally speechless. Thank you to everyone who has shared the picture, left nice comments, and showed James some love. I am a bit curious about those that laughed at or were angry at the picture, though.

I think I know from reading the comments where some of those angry or laughing reactions came from. There have been a few negative comments mixed in with the abundance of positive ones, and the gloves came off. We realized that James has more than fans…he has an army. And if someone attacks him, the army will attack. I have been hesitant to post the negative comments and be the better man, but after some of the comments that were made over the past month, I am done. Stay tuned for a separate post where I will publish some of the horrible comments for the world to see, including the names of the people who posted them.

 

 

Random Stuff

Things have been a bit slow in our day-to-day lives this past month, which is usually how it goes as we approach winter. There wasn’t enough to break things up into their own sections, so this section of the post is just going to be a bunch of random stuff.

  • Stacy saw this in one of her Facebook groups. For those of you who have tube fed kids, here is another use of those syringes. Thanks feedingtubeawareness.org. I’ll report back if we try this the next time we have tacos.

 

A person holds a taco while using a large 60 ml syringe to squeeze a neat line of sour cream across the filling. Text on the image jokes about the dual purpose of the syringe, reading: “60 ml syringe by day… precision sour cream delivery tool by night,” along with a reference to a feeding‑tube awareness website. The overall tone is humorous, blending medical‑tool familiarity with everyday food prep.

 

  • All of James’ school pictures are hung on the wall outside of his bedroom. The picture below are his 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade pictures. The first three pictures are before the spinal fusion surgery, and the last picture is after the surgery. He looks different, doesn’t he?

 

Four framed school photos hang on a wall, each showing James at different ages. In every portrait, he sits in a supportive chair and wears a plaid shirt, with bright autumn foliage as the backdrop. The images are arranged in a row, and text beneath them reads “2nd – 5th grade,” marking the progression across school years.

 

  • The final two metal pictures that Stacy purchased after our family photo session in October arrived. If you like the way they look and want to get some of your family (or dog, or whatever), check out Stacy’s Thirty-One website.

 

A wooden photo holder engraved with “OUR MEMORIES” displays three family photos, each showing Jeff, James, and Stacy sitting together outdoors on grass with trees behind them. In front of the holder sits a small round keychain or ornament featuring a miniature version of one of the photos. The arrangement creates a cozy, sentimental display of shared family moments.

 

  • We have had some issues in the past finding good, quality one-one-one nurses for James. We have had a couple of really good ones, though, like the one he has now. On November 18th we had our IEP meeting for James and the subject of the switches that James uses to communicate came up. After the meeting, Stacy sent the nurse a text about the switches. Her response is below. We hope we are able to keep her for a long time.

 

A screenshot of an iPhone text conversation shows three messages exchanged between Stacy and James' school nurse. The first message says, “Those are amazing!!” The next reads, “I heard all about the sassy switches that James has during the IEP meeting. You and James have so much fun together and I'm glad.” The final message replies playfully, “Hahaha! I may be turning your son into a sassy Hispanic 😂 Not to be weird, but he's one of my best friends 😊.” The phone display shows it is 10:51 AM with a 68% battery and AT&T LTE service.

 

  • When you’re raising a special needs child, it’s hard to take care of yourself when you spend so much of your time and energy taking care of them. Many years ago, Stacy and I vowed to get healthier. Not just for us, but for James, too. It’s amazing to look at how much we’ve changed from 2009 after we brought James home from the NICU, to now.

 

Family lying together on the grass in a shaded backyard, with an adult man sitting behind an adult woman who smiles toward the camera as a baby in a blue‑and‑white checkered outfit rests on a yellow blanket in front of them. A wooden fence and trees frame the scene, capturing a relaxed moment of family closeness outdoors.
This was us in 2009

 

Stacy, James, and Jeff sit together on a blanket outdoors near a tree. James wears a blue‑and‑white plaid shirt and jeans and sits in the center, with Stacy and Jeff on either side. Stacy wears a blue floral top and jeans, Jeff a blue checkered shirt and dark pants. The grassy area, fence, and houses in the background give the scene a relaxed, backyard‑style feel. Their closeness and posture create a calm, connected family moment.
Look at us now in 2019!

 

  • I know you will be reading this after Thanksgiving, but James wanted to wish all of his fans a wonderful Thanksgiving. He is blessed to have so many people (near and far) that care about him.

 

James sits in a wheelchair wearing a orange‑and‑black plaid shirt over a white T‑shirt decorated with a colorful turkey design made from patterned fabric pieces. A decorative border of branches with red and orange berries frames the image, giving it an autumn, holiday feel. At the bottom, orange script text reads “Happy Thanksgiving.” The overall look is cheerful and seasonal.

 

  • The annual Epilepsy Awareness Month fundraiser that Stacy had raised the biggest amount she has ever raised. Thanks to all of you who made this possible. She will be sending money over to the Epilepsy Foundation Greater Chicago soon.

 

  • James went to see the Caring Santa at the mall this morning.

 

A festive Christmas backdrop shows snowy trees and a soft winter sky. In front of it, a person dressed as Santa Claus sits beside James in a wheelchair. Santa leans in slightly, creating a friendly, cheerful pose. A red ribbon along the bottom displays the year “2019.” The overall image feels like a classic holiday photo meant to capture a warm seasonal moment.