Meet the Dilts Family - Jeremy, Kimberly, Hunter & Eli

By Hope Johnson Photos by Heather Gregg – 21 Vines Photography Pictured: Jeremy, Kimberly, Hunter, and Eli Dilts

They say that it takes tenacity and a lot of love to raise a family and that proves true for one who lives in Bloomington, IN.

The Dilts family exemplifies the tenets of not only tenacity but perseverance and the will to thrive despite any circumstance. They have overcome much, and have emerged stronger, able to confront the challenges life has placed before them.

Jeremy Dilts and his ex-wife, Angela Dilts (not pictured), are parents of a blended family of three children, two of whom have special needs. Hunter Dilts, 19, is on the autism spectrum, and Eli Dilts, 17, was diagnosed with an advanced brain cancer (medulloblastoma) in 2007 at age 7 with residual side effects.

Hunter is on his own for the first time, working at Kroger, living in a condo, taking a gap year before beginning post-high school classes at Ivy Tech. Living independently is a big step for Hunter.

Eli splits time between his parents and is taking part in the PRE-ETS service at Stone Belt, a program that helps prepare students for work and the outside world after high school, according to their website. He has a one-on-one aide at school and undergoes treatment with an oncologist, endocrinologist, psychiatrist, and LCSW.

Their oldest child, daughter Kennedy Schwartz, 23, lives across town with her family.

The Dilts family meets its challenges head-on, one at a time. “Each challenge is unique and requires a unique solution. Sometimes that solution is just perseverance. Other times, it requires a more proactive approach, but it all depends on the specific challenge,” Jeremy writes.

Jeremy is a civil defense attorney in the Indianapolis area who makes time for pro-bono work with the disability community. “My family life provides the perspective that informs my pro bono work. I am very fortunate to be in a position where I can help other families,” he says.

Living with a family whose members have multiple disabilities has taught Jeremy valuable life lessons. “The amount of adjustment it takes is incredible. Every aspect of life is impacted even with the great fortune we have had with respect to the relative mildness of my boys’ challenges,” Jeremy writes. “It still touches every aspect of my life. I wish everyone could have their eyes opened to how much is generally taken for granted.”

Since returning to Bloomington in 2001, Jeremy Dilts has been an instrumental force within the disability community.

From 2004 to 2010, Jeremy was an executive board member for Autism Society of Indiana (ASI), serving as treasurer from 2004-2006 and vice-president from 2007-2010. At the same time, he also became a member of the board of directors for the Indiana Autism Coalition, remaining in that capacity until the IAC merged with ASI in 2008.

Jeremy joined the board of the Monroe County Autism Foundation, (MCAF), in 2015. He became the president of the board in 2017 and is also the primary fundraiser and contact point for three other charitable endowments (two administered by the Dearborn Community Foundation and one by the Ohio County Community Foundation.).

It continues to be a learning curve for Jeremy while he goes through the parenting stages of life. “It is a massive change in perspective to raise special needs kids. When other parents were taking their kids to soccer practice, I was taking mine to therapy. There is a sense of loss,” says Jeremy.

Despite that loss, there is much joy as well. “Hunter recently moved into his own apartment. At 19 years old, that is an expected measure for many kids his age. However, watching him flourish while living independently has been an absolute thrill,” Jeremy writes. “After several years of struggling with mobility, Eli finally walked a 5k without a walker. It was awesome.”

The family enjoys recreational pursuits as well. “My son, Hunter, is a runner. I enjoy running with him. More specifically (and because he is much faster than I am), I enjoy watching him run,” Jeremy says.

He adds, “Eli is not a runner, but really enjoys nerd culture. We watch a lot of superhero movies and shows, but when there is not a pandemic, we really enjoy attending concerts.”

He continues, “(t)here are a lot of platitudes about taking joy in the little things in life. When you are raising special needs kids, you do not need those platitudes.”

Jeremy is optimistic about his children’s future. He hopes for the same thing that every parent does — happiness and independence. Although Jeremy has some anxiety about their independence, that remains his ultimate goal.

“I want them to be productive members of society who can provide for themselves, manage their affairs independently,” Jeremy says, “and have the freedom to seek happiness and contentment wherever it is.”

He continues, “I am feeling good about Hunter’s start. I hope to see them both reach full independence in adulthood.”

The Dilts family certainly is proof that with a lot of love and understanding, anything is possible.