The Schutz Family
Told by Erica Schutz (Mom)
When the world looks at Alex, many people see his challenges first. They see brokenness. But when the team at Jill’s House looks at Alex, they see a blessing.
When I look back on our family’s journey, I can hardly believe how far we’ve come. My husband Mike and I are the proud parents of two incredible boys. Our oldest, Charlie, is a sophomore at Liberty University. Our younger son, Alex, is 17 and has been visiting Jill’s House for the past nine years.
Alex has both intellectual and physical disabilities. He is medically complex and nonverbal, and he keeps us on our toes every single day. But more than anything, he is a joy and light of my life. His smile can brighten a room and his spirit is full of love.
The early years after Alex was born were some of the hardest we’ve ever faced. We were suddenly thrust into a world we hadn’t expected: feeding tubes, daily injections, countless doctor visits, and endless therapy appointments. It felt like we were living in survival mode. We were still trying to hold onto the picture we had once imagined for our family while raising a toddler whose life—and ours—had been turned upside down.
When we finally lifted our heads from the day-to-day scramble, we realized how different our world had become. We no longer fit neatly into the communities we had known. Our life didn’t look like anyone else’s around us. It was lonely. It was isolating. We loved our son deeply, but we felt adrift.
That’s when Jill’s House stepped in. When the world looks at Alex, many people see his challenges first. They see brokenness. But when the team at Jill’s House looks at Alex, they see a blessing. Where others might see limitation, Jill’s House sees purpose—a child created in the image of God with a beautiful plan for his life.
When our family wondered where we belonged, Jill’s House welcomed us with open arms. They didn’t overlook our differences or try to smooth them away. They said, because of your differences, because of your unique needs, you belong here.
That message changed everything for us. When Alex spends a weekend at Jill’s House, I can truly rest. I know he is being treated with dignity, kindness, and love. He’s not only cared for—he’s celebrated. The staff and volunteers delight in him for exactly who he is.
From the very first visit Alex’s favorite thing at Jill’s House has been the bounce house. In fact, he loves it so much that his sign for Jill’s House is “jump.” He also loves playing basketball in the gym and coloring with the staff in the art room.
Jill’s House has also created space for Mike and me to nurture our marriage. Their retreats for parents of children with disabilities bring us together with other couples who understand our life in a way few others can. We share our stories, laugh, pray, and find renewal.
Even our older son Charlie has found a place of belonging. At family retreats, he meets siblings who “get it,” kids who understand what it’s like to have a brother or sister with complex needs. For Charlie, it’s a gift to see other families that look like ours.
Over these seventeen years of being Alex’s mom, I’ve learned that respite is more than a physical rest—though I cherish every quiet moment. True respite is a renewal of the heart, mind, and spirit. It is the deep comfort of connection, the healing power of belonging, and the peace of knowing you are accepted just as you are. That is the life-changing gift Jill’s House gives our family.
To everyone who supports this ministry—whether through time, prayer, or financial gifts—please know you are making a difference far beyond what words can express. Because of you, families like ours can breathe, recharge, and remember that we are not alone.
Jill’s House has given us more than weekends of care. It has given us a home in the truest sense of the word—a community where our family is seen, loved, and celebrated. For that, we are endlessly thankful.