"Life is Looking Up" at Downsize Farm
It is Life with a Promise
Downsize Farm, located on 2.5 acres in the gentle hills of Champaign county, has been home to the Bob and Midge Custer family since 2001. The old farm house that had landmarked the countryside since the early 1900s had a welcome appeal of promise for their family and their well cultivated desire to grow things when they first walked through it in February. It would prove to be a year of transition for the Custers as they responded to an inner desire to deepen their roots in the area and follow God's direction to be more involved in the needs of individuals and families dealing with the special challenges of developmental disabilities. Like other families who prayerfully appealed for answers to the unique demands of raising kids with developmental disabilities, "Downsize Farm" would be a great place for their two sons, Levi and Eric, to look at life through their Down Syndrome eyes, and for many others to live out the hopeful adventure of "Life is Looking Up at Downsize Farm".
It is Life with perspective
Levi had just turned 7 when Downsize Farm became our home. Before his birth, Midge and I knew he would be a boy, but were unaware that he would have a genetic disability. We were anticipating that we would raise him like we had our other three kids, and adjust our lives to include him in our family activities. And boy did we adjust! The first few weeks after his birth were difficult and discouraging. We really didn't know in what ways Levi's life would be different and didn't know what resources were available to assist us with his special needs. What we did have was a parent's perspective and that meant that love would find a way to help Levi's life be as positive as possible. The Champaign County Board of Developmental Disabilities was our first discovery of access to a wonderful resource. The insight, understanding and encouragement of the staff and other parents that we met served as a model of hope for us. In 1999, working with the Ohio Department of Family Services, we adopted our son Eric. From 2001 through 2007, Bob worked as a foster care case worker and administrator, gaining experience working with a variety of agencies to support individuals with developmental disabilities. It was also during that time that Midge became a certified provider to foster a young Clark County girl with another genetic disability. Collectively, these experiences gave us the professional perspective we needed to become Ohio DODD certified service providers in 2007. At Downsize Farm we're optimistic that, working with parents and other support agencies, we will be able to maintain or improve the quality of life of individuals with developmental disabilities be providing meaningful activities and access to resources. Continue to check our blog for this continued adventure as well as Midge's book (in process) The Downy Boys of Champaign Co.