The Adkins Family
Told by Lacie (Mom)
When I pick Jaxon up from Jill’s House, sometimes he tells me to “go home” because he doesn’t want to leave.
From the very beginning, Jaxon’s life has felt like a whirlwind.
Right before he was born, my brother passed away. Then, after Jaxon arrived, we received an after-birth diagnosis of Down syndrome. Doctor after doctor told us they were sorry. But there was one doctor who said something I will never forget: “These babies are born to families who can give them a whole lot of love.” I never forget her words.
Jaxon’s start was anything but easy. He caught Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) shortly after he was born and spent about three months in the hospital. Doctors discovered holes in his heart, and at four months he had open-heart surgery. They warned us that his recovery could be prolonged because kids with Down syndrome often have low muscle tone. But within a week, he was back to being his wild little self.
We call him “Action Jaxon” because he is constantly on the move. He’s nine now and full of energy. He loves basketball, swimming, horseback riding, collecting eggs at my parents’ chicken coop, and anything outdoors. He also has Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), so a lot of our life revolves around maintaining routines and helping him navigate overstimulation.
My husband and I both work full-time, and we have an older son, Sammy, who is five years older than Jaxon. Sammy is an amazing big brother, but —I’ll be honest —much of our attention naturally goes to Jaxon. For years, we had no respite options available. There are no childcare options for him where we live. I called everywhere and came up empty.
Then I found Jill’s House.
I don’t even remember how I found Jill’s House— maybe a Google search — but I reached out, and they instantly responded that they could accept Jaxon. I was so nervous about his first visit. At that time, he had a tendency to elope, and his behaviors were more elevated. I barely slept that first weekend, because I was sure I’d get a call.
But I didn’t. Instead, they told me he did great.
That first visit, I was able to take Sammy to a movie and just spend time with him. We rarely get true one-on-one time together. When Jaxon isn’t having a good day and gets overstimulated, we sometimes have to leave outings early. So having that uninterrupted time with Sammy meant everything.
Now Jill’s House weekends are part of our rhythm. When I tell Jaxon he gets to go to “camp,” he gets so excited. He tries to pack everything he owns into his suitcase, and I have to secretly edit it down. He especially loves the horses. He’s been obsessed with horses for years, and now he gets to brush them — and recently, he even rode one. He also loves basketball and seeing his favorite Jill’s House buddy when he arrives.
Meanwhile, at home, we get something we don’t often have: rest. We do things Sammy loves, like escape rooms or arcades. Sometimes we just stay home and binge-watch a show. And I sleep. I still keep my phone next to me, just in case. But I sleep through the night now.
When I pick Jaxon up from Jill’s House, sometimes he tells me to “go home” because he doesn’t want to leave. That secretly makes me happy. He usually falls asleep about ten minutes into the drive home, completely worn out in the best way.
Jill’s House has truly been our saving grace. We don’t have other resources where we live. Knowing there’s a place where Jaxon is loved like he’s their own child gives us peace I can’t describe.
If another parent asked me whether they should try Jill’s House, I would say: Just do it. If you’re going to trust your child anywhere, this is the place.
