Clothing Tailored for Special Needs

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September 26, 2014

“The love of my life is my Downs Designs business,” says entrepreneur and philanthropist, Karen Bowersox.

“I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing.”

The 65-year-old Mentor, OH grandmother has been making clothing for children and adults with Down Syndrome for four and a half years, since realizing how much her granddaughter, Maggie, was restricted by the lack of properly fitting pants.

Bowersox is now an expert in providing stretchy jeans without buttons or zippers that are easy to put on and take off. The “Maggie” jean is scheduled to be introduced this month after two and a half years of perfecting the fit.

Maggie is now nine, and when she was born with Down syndrome, Bowersox admits she didn’t know much about it. “I noticed her clothes were always dragging and her sleeves were always in her cereal,” she said. “My daughter was so frustrated with everything being too long on her.”

With frustration mounting, she decided to order Maggie something online. When that search came up completely empty, she knew it was time to take action. She spoke to a design school in Cleveland on where to get started. And Downs Designs was off and running.

The growing business is busy keeping up with orders, and with popular sizes dwindling, Bowersox decided to launch a Kickstarter program to raise funds in order to support production and an expansion of the line. Her goal is to provide much more than just jeans, including men’s and women’s shorts, tops and black dress pants.

“I’m hoping to get the support from our community to help me continue on with this clothing line,” Bowersox said. “I feel that once I have more to sell, sales will increase along with the expanded selection.”

Waking up everyday at 3am, Bowersox says she somehow never feels tired. “It’s never work for me. I would have never thought that a pair of pants could change a person’s life so dramatically. My life will never be the same.”

Downs Designs, 8796 Tyler Boulevard, Mentor. 877-390-4851.

downsdesigns.com.

A Guardian Ad Litem’s Perspective on Child Custody

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Matthew Reger

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September 26, 2014

Who should decide where you children live? Seems like an easy question, but if you are divorced, going through a divorce, or separated from the other parent of your children, that question may become more complicated. Other questions such as where your kids go to school, attend church and where they spend the holidays are all perplexing when parents can’t agree. It’s in those situations that a court may appoint a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) to investigate and make recommendations.

In Domestic Relations Courts in Ohio, a GAL is typically an attorney appointed to represent the best interests of children. The GAL is funded by a monetary deposit by one or both parents and works to investigate and report to the court what parenting situation is in the “best interests” of the children.

If you find yourself in a situation such as this, there are some things to remember and do to help you and your children adjust to their new life.

First, set aside any hate, disgust, distrust or other animosity you may have for the other parent. Focus on your children and their needs. Having a GAL does not mean that either person is a bad parent. It just means that both parents need some help in finding what is in their children’s best interests. In many cases parents have focused so long on their failing marriage that they have lost sight of their children. This is the opportunity to adjust the vision.

Second, try to come up with a solution by communicating with the other parent. In spite of the difficulty in working with the person on the other side of the adversarial fence, the best people to make a decision for their children’s future are the parents. That may sound idealistic – particularly in a divorce situation – but it’s probably the best advice I have heard and given in almost 20 years of serving as a GAL.

Third, tell the truth. A GAL understands that each party has their own interpretation of the situation. In fact, in most cases when I ask how the marriage fell apart, the same factual scenario is reported; it’s just the interpretation that is wildly different. Often included in those interpretations is speculation on what the other party may have intended or done. It is important not to exaggerate problems with the other person’s home and parenting; tell what you know and go no further.

Finally, be introspective enough to look beyond your issues with the other person to find what is best for your kids. It may seem that moving across the country is in your children’s best interests because it allows you to have a job promotion but it may not be in the best interests of the children regarding their relationship with your ex-spouse.

Ultimately remember that your goal and the GAL’s goal should be the same: the best interests of the children. Hopefully both parents can listen to the GAL recommendations and find a resolution. If not, the court will order a parenting agreement and most likely base that decision upon the GAL’s recommendation.

Monthly Diary of a Dad writer, Matthew Reger of Bowling Green, Ohio, has been a practicing attorney since 1993 and is licensed in Ohio and Michigan. In addition to his work as the Bowling Green Municipal Prosecutor, he has handled many other legal matters as an attorney, including GAL cases, since 1996. For more information on a Guardian Ad Litem, visit ohiobar.org.

Dealing with Things in the Night

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Matthew Reger

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September 26, 2014

With the arrival of Halloween comes the desire to scare others. My kids, though, don’t limit their desire to scare dad to this one time a year. Knowing things I dislike, they have fun taunting me all year long.

I don’t like snakes and bats. Snakes have been something I have always had an aversion toward– an inborn repugnance. My loathing has been interpreted by my children as a fear which has led to their regular acquisition of fake snakes to put in front of me.

Bats are more of an acquired distaste. We live in an old house and every summer, it seems, we get one in the house. Our most recent visitor appeared while I was reading to my daughter. We were sitting on the bed when a black-winged mouse flew in and circled the room. My daughter screamed and quickly got on the floor trying to crawl under the bed. The dog perked up and tried to smell the intruder. The bat, sensing all the confusion in the room, decided to move to a quieter part of the house.

I yelled for my wife who was in with our son. Why? Well I don’t like these things and I want some kind of moral support as I go on a search and remove mission. We gathered the kids into one room and shut the doors.

Heading downstairs, I armed myself with a broom, my wife close behind me. As I turned on the light to each room I ducked, looked around, and not seeing any winged creature, stood up with mild confidence. We searched everywhere and finally found our invader clinging to a living room curtain.

“What should I do?” I asked my wife. I knew what to do

but I wanted to involve her in the operation.

“Hit it!”

“Ok.”

I reluctantly held the broom looking for the best approach angle.

My concern was ‘where will it fly to if I don’t hit it hard enough?’ I took great care in my set up.

“Hit it already! What are you waiting for?” my wife encouraged me.

I swung and the bat flew against a wall and landed behind our antique pump organ. I carefully looked behind, sure it was going to fly in my face.

“Do you see it?” I asked as my wife looked with me.

“No.”

“Oh, there it is.” I saw it on top of the organ.

“Do you want me to get it?” my wife asked.

“No I can do it.”

I pushed it with the broom and it fell even farther behind the organ.

Luckily I saw it and was able to push it out. My wife brought a waste

basket over to carry our guest out of the house. I pushed the bat into the basket. My wife could see that I liked none of this.

“Do you want me to handle this?”

“No, I’m the dad. This is my job.”

I carried the bat outside and disposed of it. I didn’t like it at all. When I returned to the house everyone was upstairs gathered in our room.

“Were you scared dad?” my daughter asked.

Telling the truth would invite more taunting from the kids and

attempts to scare me. Lying didn’t seem right.

“Not as much as you.”

I guess that was true.

Red Ribbon Run

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Digital Media

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September 26, 2014

off at The Town Center at Levis Commons where children and adults of all ages are encouraged to join in promoting healthy living and remaining drug free! Over 400 people participate in the event and junior runners can enjoy carnival games, a John Deere gator race track, pumpkin bowling, ID station, and the YMCA fun bus from 9am-noon. It’s the perfect way to be outside with family and friends enjoying the last few minutes of fall!

Aside from the race entry fees, all activities are free of charge. $20/5K and 10K, $10/children 10 and under. 7:30am- Registration opens, 8:30am– 1K, PreK and 1 Mile Kids Run, 9am- 5K and 10K Race.

The Town Center at Levis Commons, 3201 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. 419-931-8888. https://shopleviscommons.com

Simulator Theater Adventure Takes you Over the Edge

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Digital Media

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September 26, 2014

Imagination Station is giving visitors the chance to experience their next adrenaline rush by dodging snow-covered trees on the mountainside, balancing on the edge of a cliff and outrunning an avalanche all without leaving Toledo. Their new Simulator Theater film, Over the Edge, will allow you to feel every turn, jolt and twist as if you were actually taking part in the adventure. The Simulator Theater holds 15 people, features HD visuals, surround sound and a responsive platform for the four-minute long film being presented by The Taylor Automotive Family.

Edge, will allow you to feel every turn, jolt and twist as if you were actually taking part in the adventure. The Simulator Theater holds 15 people, features HD visuals, surround sound and a responsive platform for the four-minute long film being presented by The Taylor Automotive Family.

Imagination Station, 1 Discovery Way, Toledo. $2/person, free/members. 42” height requirement. A promo video is available at imaginationstationtoledo.org/SIM.

MacQueen's Apple Butter Stir Festival

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Digital Media

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September 26, 2014

Apples—in the form of fruit, fritters, donuts, cider, and apple butter—will take center stage at the Apple Butter Stir Festival at MacQueen Orchards. But they will share the attention with lots of family-friendly activities, including pony and camel rides, 60 arts & crafts booths, face painting, and polka dancing. This “Thank You, Customers” event will feature festival foods (funnel cakes, cotton candy, and slush drinks) as well as ribs, chicken, sausage, hot dogs and gyros. Bring the kids and get your share of the 700 dozen apple fritters and 900 dozen donuts that will mark the start of the fall season at the orchard!