The Ditcharo Family
Jill’s House gives Eden the camp experience she otherwise wouldn’t have. It gives us rest. And it gives our other kids a chance to do things they couldn’t do otherwise. It’s a gift all the way around.
We’re the Ditcharo family, a party of five living just outside Nashville, Tennessee. Life with three kids is beautifully full—and uniquely shaped by our middle daughter, Eden, who is 15 years old. She was born with a rare genetic disorder that affects her global development. She looks like a typical teenager, but she can only communicate in short phrases and still can’t write her name. That said, she can zipline, climb monkey bars, and swim, and she surprises us all the time with what she knows.
We first heard about Jill’s House when it was just a Virginia-based program. A friend from church mentioned it to us, and once we heard that the Jill’s House Weekend Adventures program was coming to Tennessee, we jumped at the chance to get involved. We were excited about the idea of a Christian respite program that offered weekend camps—something Eden could enjoy, and something that would give us the margin to breathe as a family. Eden’s siblings go to camp, but she hadn’t had the chance to go. Jill’s House was her opportunity!
From her very first visit, Eden fell in love with Jill’s House. She talks about it constantly—especially the hayrides, music, zipline, talent shows, and dance parties (Taylor Swift songs are her favorite!). She’s never been one to fear new places or people; so the moment we mention camp, she gets her backpack on and is ready to go. When we pick her up, she’s always tired and happy. And before we even get home, she’s already asking, “When can I go back?”
Jill’s House doesn’t just bless Eden—it blesses our whole family. Having a child with special needs is like always parenting a toddler. You’re always on, always attentive. But when Eden is at camp, we can focus on our other two children, Dylan and Charlotte, or even just spend time as a couple. One weekend while Eden was away, we enjoyed an overnight getaway in Nashville as a couple—dinner, a Predators game, and a night downtown. Another time, we took the other kids to Dollywood. Eden’s not a rollercoaster fan, so it was a chance for the four of us to have an adventure that she wouldn’t enjoy. These moments are rare and so important. While Eden is having a ball, we can also have a great time. Everyone is happy!
As parents of a child with an intellectual disability, we’ve learned how hard it is to find trusted respite care. Before sending Eden to Jill’s House, we had questions about volunteer training and camper safety. But from the very first intake call, we felt confident in the care she would receive. The team goes above and beyond, even sending us detailed summaries after each weekend—helping us understand what Eden did and giving us conversation starters to engage her when she comes home.
It also matters deeply to us that Jill’s House is a Christian organization. Knowing Eden is being loved and cared for by people who share our values makes all the difference. We don’t take that lightly.
If you’re a parent of a child with special needs and you’re on the fence about Jill’s House, we can’t recommend it enough. Respite is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Our kids need it, and we, as parents, need it. You don’t realize how much it can mean to you until you experience it for yourself.
Jill’s House gives Eden the camp experience she otherwise wouldn’t have. It gives us rest. And it gives our other kids a chance to do things they couldn’t do otherwise. It’s a gift all the way around.
If we could dream big, we’d love to see weeklong summer day camps offered here in Tennessee, like they do in Virginia. Now that Eden’s aged out of many local day camps, our options are limited. She loves camp so much—we just want more opportunities for her and kids like her.
Until then, we’ll keep celebrating every Jill’s House weekend. Because for us, it’s more than camp. It’s joy. It’s respite. It’s love.
