Meet the Johnson Family - Eric, Julie, Cole & Gavin

By Rae Swift Photos by: Colette Jackson

Julie and Eric Johnson have identical twin 13-year-old boys, Cole and Gavin. Gavin is neurotypical and attends Brownsburg West Middle School. Cole has cerebral palsy and attends the Jackson Center for Conductive Education, located in Mooresville.

Originally from Owensboro, KY, and Stevens Point, WI, respectively, Eric and Julie faced a big challenge when it came to finding a school for Cole to attend that would meet all of his needs. They wanted an excellent education for their son as well as a program that could address his physical needs. While Eric has worked for 22 years at Lids as the vice president of retail, Julie is a trained library media specialist. However, she decided to stay home with the boys after their birth. She currently puts about 100 miles on her car a day just from driving Cole to school.

Cole has been a student at the Jackson Center for 10 years. Cole receives occupational therapy, physical therapy, and conductive education in the morning. In the afternoon, he does academic work. Julie and Eric are happy to have found a place for him to get all of his needs met under one roof. Julie is even on the board of directors. The family fundraises for the school every year, including attending their golf outing and gala night fundraisers.

As for the twins? They love Disney World and traveling to Florida. Julie’s parents reside there. They enjoy swimming, going boating, and taking walks. They like Marvel movies and eating spaghetti and meatballs. Cole is involved with the Motor Activity Clinic at IUPUI. He gets paired up with two college students enrolled in an adaptive physical education course. He goes swimming and participates in adaptive sports in the gym.

Unfortunately, doing things as a whole family is quite difficult for the Johnsons. Simple activities such as sledding or hiking require a lot of prior planning. When they fly, they have to bring along a big, bulky special-needs car seat onto the plane while they hope that nothing happens to Cole’s wheelchair in cargo.

While their lives have difficulties, Eric and Julie’s advice is not to settle. If your particular situation for your child is not working, keep looking. Network with other parents – Julie typically finds that they have all the information. Keep searching and don’t give up.

One of the best things to come out of their unique situation is Cole’s relationship with a neighbor, Caroline Thomson. Caroline, 8 years older than the boys, started coming over when her older sister was there to babysit. Cole and Caroline have become very close friends. Caroline has even decided to become an occupational therapy assistant because of their special relationship. She currently works at the Jackson Center.

If you would like to share your personal or family story or to nominate someone else to be in an upcoming issue of Special Needs Living? Email us at SpecialNeedsLivingIndy@n2pub.com.

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